Eurostar Rival Gemini Places Order for Siemens Velaro Trains
Gemini, the start-up rail operator aiming to challenge Eurostar on cross-Channel routes, has placed an order for new trains with Siemens.
Train order
Gemini has placed an order with Siemens for ten new Velaro Novo trains.
The start-up rail company plans to operate Siemens Velaro Novo trains through the Channel Tunnel, directly competing with Eurostar on the London-Paris and London-Brussels routes.
In addition to operating cross-Channel services to Paris and Brussels, Gemini also aims to launch a London to Cologne route.
Gemini has partnered with Uber and plans to integrate ticketing and connections through the Uber app, potentially even branding the new cross-Channel service as Uber Trains.
Another Gemini partner is Rock Rail, a major rolling stock investment firm.
Gemini CEO Adrian Quine said: “Our collaboration with Uber, Siemens and Rock Rail creates a powerful partnership towards our goal of running competitively priced trains connecting the UK to France, Belgium and, for the first time ever, Germany.”
The Siemens Velaro Novo. ©Siemens AG
About the Siemens Velaro Novo
The Siemens Velaro is a family of high-speed electric multiple unit trains built by Siemens.
Train companies that currently operate the Siemens Velaro include Germany’s national railway company, Deutsche Bahn, where this high-speed train is known as the ICE 3, and Eurostar, where it is designated the Velaro e320 (British Rail Class 374).
The Velaro Novo represents Siemens’ next generation of high-speed trains, designed to be lighter and more energy-efficient than previous models, with a top speed of 360 kilometres per hour (225 mph).
So far, only a single Velaro Novo prototype car has been built, which has been undergoing testing in Germany as part of Deutsche Bahn’s ICE-S test train.
Currently, Eurostar has a monopoly on cross-Channel routes. ©AndyBTravels
When will we finally see a competitor for Eurostar?
Given that the Siemens Velaro has been certified to operate through the Channel Tunnel, having met its strict fire and evacuation regulations, the Velaro Novo is also expected to meet the same standards.
Although Siemens’ order book for the Velaro is reportedly quite short compared with those of many other train manufacturers, rail experts believe it will take Gemini at least until 2030 to have enough trains operational to begin service.
Besides rolling stock, Gemini also needs to overcome other operational hurdles before it can run its own trains through the Channel Tunnel in competition with Eurostar.
This includes securing access to the Temple Mills train depot – the only one in the UK suitable for Channel Tunnel trains – as well as funding infrastructure for border controls at Stratford International in east London, the station Gemini intends to use.
In addition to Gemini, Virgin Trains, Trenitalia France, and Evolyn have also applied for access to the Temple Mills depot, according to a parliamentary research briefing.
Although the Temple Mills depot has some spare capacity, it is insufficient to accommodate the plans of all four new entrants alongside Eurostar’s planned fleet expansion.
