Core Insights - Eurostar has confirmed a €2bn ($2.32bn) investment in up to 50 new Avelia Horizon double-decker very high-speed trains from Alstom Group [1] - The order includes an initial purchase of 30 trains with an option for an additional 20, with the first six units scheduled for delivery in January 2031 [1][2] - The new trains, named Eurostar Celestia, will be the first double-decker trains to operate through the Channel Tunnel and onto the UK rail network [4] Investment and Growth Strategy - Eurostar's CEO stated that this order is a key part of the company's growth strategy to reach 30 million passengers by investing in a new fleet [2] - The expanded fleet will be maintained at the existing Temple Mills depot in London, with facility upgrades estimated at €80m to accommodate the new units [3] Manufacturing and Job Creation - Alstom will invest €150m to expand production at ten manufacturing sites in France to support the Avelia Horizon series [3] - The upgrades at the Temple Mills depot are expected to generate around 350 specialized jobs, increasing the current UK-based staff numbers [3] Train Specifications and Features - The new Avelia Horizon trains will have a length of 200m and are designed for interoperability across multiple European countries [4] - Each train will have a seating capacity increase of approximately 20% over current single-deck services, accommodating about 540 passengers per unit [5] - The trains are expected to consume 20–50% less energy than previous models and utilize a structure that is 97% recyclable, with 25% made from recycled materials [6]