Editing Eurostar (section)

===Current fleet===

====Eurostar e300====
[[File:Eurostar 373999 at St Pancras International.jpg|thumb|Eurostar e300 at [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras International]], [[London]]]]
[[File:Eurostar trains at St Pancras.jpg|thumb|right|Three Eurostar trains waiting at [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras International station]]]]
{{Main|Eurostar e300}}

Built between 1992 and 1996, Eurostar's fleet consisted of 38 [[Electric Multiple Unit|EMU]] trains, designated Class 373 in the United Kingdom and TGV TMST in France. The units have also been branded as the Eurostar e300 by Eurostar since 2015. There are two variants:
* 31 "Inter-Capital" sets consisting of two [[power car]]s and eighteen passenger carriages. These trains are {{cvt|394|m}} long and can carry 750 passengers: 206 in first class, 544 in standard class.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurostar seating plan |url=http://www.raileurope.co.uk/DOCUMENTS/PDFS/TRAIN%20SEATING%20PLANS/EUROSTAR/EUROSTAR%20SEATING%20PLAN.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001014310/http://www.raileurope.co.uk/DOCUMENTS/PDFS/TRAIN%20SEATING%20PLANS/EUROSTAR/EUROSTAR%20SEATING%20PLAN.PDF |archive-date=1 October 2009 |access-date=30 April 2007 |website=RailEurope.com}}</ref>
* Seven shorter "North of London" sets which have two [[power car]]s and fourteen passenger carriages and are {{cvt|320|m}} long. These sets have a capacity of 558 seats: 114 first class, 444 standard and which were designed to operate the aborted [[Regional Eurostar]] services.

Each train has a unique four-digit number starting with "3" (3xxx). This designates the train as a Mark 3 TGV (Mark 1 being [[SNCF TGV Sud-Est]]; Mark 2 being [[SNCF TGV Atlantique]]). The second digit denotes the country of ownership:
* 3'''0'''xx UK
* 3'''1'''xx Belgium
* 3'''2'''xx France
* 3'''3'''xx Regional Eurostar

The trains are essentially modified [[TGV]] sets,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wilckens, Martin |last2=Ellewanger, Gunther |date=October 1994 |title=High speed for Europe |url=http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr03/pdf/f17_ell.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=Japan Railway & Transport Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620081858/http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr03/pdf/f17_ell.pdf |archive-date=20 June 2009 |access-date=1 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=French Railway Industry: The paths of excellence |url=http://www.dgcis.gouv.fr/files/files/directions_services/secteurs-professionnels/etudes/ferrogb.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106201921/http://www.dgcis.gouv.fr/files/files/directions_services/secteurs-professionnels/etudes/ferrogb.pdf |archive-date=6 January 2014 |access-date=6 January 2014 |publisher=DGE/[[UBIFRANCE]]}}</ref> and can operate at up to {{cvt|300|km/h|mph|0}} on high-speed lines, and {{cvt|160|km/h|mph|round=10}} in the Channel Tunnel.<ref name="railfaneurostar" /><ref name="eurotunnrules" /> It is possible to exceed the 300{{nbsp}}km/h speed limit, but only with special permission from the safety authorities in the respective country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nash |first=Emily |date=5 September 2007 |title=Eurostar sets new Paris-London record |work=The Mirror |location=London |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2007/09/05/eurostar-sets-new-paris-london-record-115875-19736230/ |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605215719/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2007/09/05/eurostar-sets-new-paris-london-record-115875-19736230/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Speed limits in the Channel Tunnel are dictated by air-resistance, energy (heat) dissipation and the need to be used with other, slower trains. The trains were designed with Channel Tunnel safety in mind, and consist of two independent "half-sets" each with its own power car.<ref name="CTRLrailtec" /><ref name="eurotunnrules" /> In the event of a serious fire on board while travelling through the tunnel, passengers would be transferred into the undamaged half of the train, which would then be detached and driven out of the tunnel to safety.<ref name="highspeedwho">{{Cite news |last=Wolmar |first=Christian |author-link=Christian Wolmar |date=23 November 2007 |title=Who is going to use the new high speed line? |work=Rail |issue=579 |location=Peterborough |url=http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/2007/11/rail-579-who-is-going-to-use-the-new-high-speed-line/ |access-date=11 May 2009 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721000227/http://www.christianwolmar.co.uk/2007/11/rail-579-who-is-going-to-use-the-new-high-speed-line/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
If the undamaged part were the rear half of the train, this would be driven by the Chef du Train ([[Conductor (rail)|conductor]]), who is a fully authorized driver and occupies the rear driving cab while the train travels through the tunnel for this purpose.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Millward |first=David |date=27 November 2008 |title=Eurostar services could be disrupted by strike in run up to Christmas |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/3531375/Eurostar-services-could-be-disrupted-by-strike-in-run-up-to-Christmas.html |access-date=11 May 2009 |archive-date=14 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214162301/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/3531375/Eurostar-services-could-be-disrupted-by-strike-in-run-up-to-Christmas.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

As the Class 374 units have entered service the Class 373 fleet has gradually been reduced. Eleven remain in regular service with 17 scrapped and ten in storage.

=====Fleet updates=====
[[File:Eurostar Leisure Select Seats.jpg|thumb|Interior of a ''Leisure Select'' Eurostar carriage]]
In 2004–2005 the "Inter-Capital" sets still in daily use for international services were refurbished with a new interior designed by [[Philippe Starck]].<ref name="Eurost His" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 May 2003 |title=Multi-million facelift for Eurostar |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/2940864.stm |access-date=27 December 2007 |archive-date=2 July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702065730/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/2940864.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
The original grey-yellow scheme in Standard class and grey-red of First/Premium First were replaced with a grey-brown look in Standard and grey-burnt-orange in First class. Power points were added to seats in First class and coaches 5 and 14 in Standard class. Premium First class was renamed BusinessPremier.

In 2008, Eurostar announced that it would be carrying out a mid-life refurbishment of its Class 373 trains to allow the fleet to remain in service beyond 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 2008 |title=Eurostar invites bidders to undertake major interior refurbishment of fleet |page=5 |work=Rail Management |location=Dunstable, Beds. |url=http://viking.eukhost.com/~keepingt/rm/162/RMAN_162.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620081818/http://viking.eukhost.com/~keepingt/rm/162/RMAN_162.pdf |archive-date=20 June 2009}}</ref>
This will include the 28 units making up the Eurostar fleet, but not the three Class 373/1 units used by SNCF or the seven Class 373/2 "North of London" sets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 2008 |title=Eurostar to tender for refurbishment |work=RailNews |location=London |url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2008/09/08-eurostar-refurbishment.html |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903223233/http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2008/09/08-eurostar-refurbishment.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
As part of the refurbishment, the Italian company [[Pininfarina]] was contracted to redesign the interiors,<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 April 2009 |title=Eurostar refurbishment design contract awarded |work=[[Railway Gazette International]] |location=London |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//eurostar-refurbishment-design-contract-awarded.html |url-status=dead |access-date=9 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414235334/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/eurostar-refurbishment-design-contract-awarded.html |archive-date=14 April 2012}}</ref> and The Yard Creative was selected to design the new buffet cars.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 May 2009 |title=The Yard creates 'drastically different' Eurostar buffet cars |work=Design Week |location=London |url=http://www.designweek.co.uk/the-yard-creates-drastically-different-eurostar-buffet-cars/3000572.article |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-date=26 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326234354/http://www.designweek.co.uk/the-yard-creates-drastically-different-eurostar-buffet-cars/3000572.article |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 11 May 2009 Eurostar revealed the new look for its first-class compartments.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2009 |title=Eurostar unveils new first class layout |publisher=Opodo Travel News |url=http://news.opodo.co.uk/NewsDetails/2009-05-11/Eurostar_unveils_new_first_class_layout |url-status=dead |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230070457/http://news.opodo.co.uk/NewsDetails/2009-05-11/Eurostar_unveils_new_first_class_layout |archive-date=30 December 2013}}</ref>
The first refurbished train was due in service in 2012,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smithers |first=Rebecca |date=9 April 2009 |title=Eurostar interiors to get makeover by Italian luxury car designer |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/apr/09/eurostar-interiors-italian-design |access-date=1 April 2010 |archive-date=16 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816153534/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/apr/09/eurostar-interiors-italian-design |url-status=live }}</ref> and Eurostar planned to complete the entire process by 2014. On 13 November 2014 Eurostar announced the first refurbished trains would not re-enter the fleet until the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2015 due to delays at the completion centre. The last refurbished ''e300'' eventually re-entered service in April 2019.

==== Eurostar e320 ====
{{Main|Eurostar e320}}

In addition to the announced mid-life update of the existing Class 373 fleet, Eurostar in 2009 began looking to purchase eight new trainsets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 April 2009 |title=Eurostar considering larger fleet? |work=Railway Gazette International |location=London |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//eurostar-considering-larger-fleet.html |access-date=18 April 2009 |archive-date=9 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809105717/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/eurostar-considering-larger-fleet.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Any new trains would need to meet the same safety rules governing passage through the Channel Tunnel as the existing Class 373 fleet. The replacement to the Class 373 trains has been decided jointly between the French Transport Ministry and the UK [[Department for Transport]].  The new trains will be equipped to use the new [[ERTMS]] in-cab signalling system, due to be fitted to High Speed 1 around 2040.<ref name="rmtbrist">{{Cite news |date=9 October 2007 |title=2017 start date for Great Western ERTMS upgrade |publisher=The National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport workers (RMT) |url=http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/10/2017_start_date_for_great_west.html |url-status=dead |access-date=8 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226182631/http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/10/2017_start_date_for_great_west.html |archive-date=26 December 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Eurostar in Amsterdam CS 2024 2.jpg|thumb|Eurostar e320 in [[Amsterdam Centraal station|Amsterdam CS]]]]
On 7 October 2010, it was reported that Eurostar had selected [[Siemens]] as preferred bidder to supply 10 [[Siemens Velaro]]<ref name="rgi320kmhtrains" /> trainsets at a cost of €600{{nbsp}}million<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2010 |title=Eurostar unveils £700m train deal |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11491048 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125004555/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11491048 |url-status=live }}</ref> These would be sixteen-car, [[Electric multiple unit|self-propelled]], {{Convert|400|m|ft|-long|abbr=out|adj=mid}} trainsets built to meet Channel Tunnel requirements.<ref name="rgi20101001">{{Cite news |date=1 October 2010 |title=Eurostar picks Velaro to expand fleet |work=Railway Gazette International |location=London |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/eurostar-picks-velaro-to-expand-fleet.html |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-date=7 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007102149/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/eurostar-picks-velaro-to-expand-fleet.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The top speed of the e320 trainsets is {{cvt|320|km/h|abbr=on|round=10}} with 902 seats, compared to the e300 fleet which has a top speed of {{cvt|300|km/h|0|abbr=on}} and a seating capacity of 750. Total traction power will be rated at {{Convert|16|MW|hp|abbr=on}}.<ref name="rgi320kmhtrains">{{Cite web |date=7 October 2010 |title=320 km/h train order as Eurostar sets sights on expansion |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/320-kmh-train-order-as-eurostar-sets-sights-on-expansion.html |website=Railway Gazette International |location=London |access-date=4 January 2012 |archive-date=11 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011092354/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/320-kmh-train-order-as-eurostar-sets-sights-on-expansion.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 October 2010 |title=Carbon efficient Eurostar fleet going green |work=Silicon Republic |location=Dublin |url=http://www.siliconrepublic.com/green-tech/item/18446-carbon-efficient-eurostar/ |url-status=dead |access-date=8 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220104831/http://siliconrepublic.com/green-tech/item/18446-carbon-efficient-eurostar/ |archive-date=20 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=31 October 2011 |title=Siemens weathering economic storm as work begins on new Eurostar |work=International Railway Journal |location=London |url=http://www.railjournal.com/newsflash/siemens-weathering-economic-storm-as-work-begins-on-new-eurostar-1375.html |url-status=dead |access-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319012931/http://www.railjournal.com/newsflash/siemens-weathering-economic-storm-as-work-begins-on-new-eurostar-1375.html |archive-date=19 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=Siemens Mobility References |url=http://www.mobility.siemens.com/apps/references/index.cfm?z=1&do=app.detail&referenceID=1718&lID=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524131015/http://www.mobility.siemens.com/apps/references/index.cfm?z=1&do=app.detail&referenceID=1718&lID=1 |archive-date=24 May 2012 |access-date=7 April 2012 |publisher=Siemens}}</ref> The e320 trainsets would also be quadri-current, adding the ability to run on the {{15 kV AC}} system used in Germany, allowing for an expanded route network, including services between London and [[Cologne]].<ref name="rgi20101001" />

The selection of Siemens would see it break into the French high-speed market for the first time, as all French high-speed operators use TGV derivatives produced by [[Alstom]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Robert |date=1 October 2010 |title=Row breaks out over Eurostar train order |work=Financial Times |location=London |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5696688c-cd4c-11df-ab20-00144feab49a.html?ftcamp=rss |access-date=1 October 2010 |archive-date=2 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002115916/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5696688c-cd4c-11df-ab20-00144feab49a.html?ftcamp=rss |url-status=live }}</ref> Alstom attempted legal action to prevent Eurostar from acquiring the German-built trains, claiming that the Siemens sets would breach Channel Tunnel safety rules,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Robert |date=19 October 2010 |title=Alstom heads for court over Eurostar trains |work=Financial Times |location=London |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d9258852-db64-11df-ae99-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d9258852-db64-11df-ae99-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> but the case was thrown out by the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] in London.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 2010 |title=Alstom fails to block Eurostar contract |work=International Railway Journal |location=London |url=http://www.railjournal.com/newsflash/alstom-fails-to-block-eurostar-contract.html |access-date=30 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101061536/http://www.railjournal.com/newsflash/alstom-fails-to-block-eurostar-contract.html |archive-date=1 November 2010}}</ref> On 4 November 2010, Alstom lodged a complaint with the [[European Commission]] over the tendering process.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 November 2010 |title=Alstom lodges Eurostar complaint in Brussels |work=Financial Times |location=London |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/30191634-e843-11df-8995-00144feab49a.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210201224/https://www.ft.com/content/30191634-e843-11df-8995-00144feab49a#axzz14zoLF4h2 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=11 November 2010 }}</ref> Alstom then started legal action claiming that the Eurostar tender process was "ineffective",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wendlandt |first=Astrid |date=11 November 2010 |title=Alstom says Eurostar tender hearing in Oct 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6AA1T720101111 |access-date=11 November 2010 |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130014011/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6AA1T720101111 |url-status=live }}</ref> the High Court rejected the second suit in July 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=15 July 2011 |title=Siemens keeps €600m Eurostar order after Alstom legal challenge fails |page=29 |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/jul/14/siemens-keeps-eurostar-order-from-alstom |access-date=15 August 2012 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930122230/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/jul/14/siemens-keeps-eurostar-order-from-alstom |url-status=live }}</ref>  In April 2012, Alstom said it would call off court actions against Siemens.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=3 April 2012 |title=Alstom drops Eurostar legal action after SNCF orders more trains |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/apr/02/eurostar-siemens |access-date=15 August 2012 |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130014102/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/apr/02/eurostar-siemens |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 13 November 2014, Eurostar announced the purchase of an additional seven e320s for delivery in the second half of 2016. At the same time, Eurostar announced the first five e320s from the original order of ten would be available by December 2015, with the remaining five entering service by May 2016. Of the five sets ready by December 2015, three of them were planned to be used on London-Paris and London-Brussels routes.<ref name="railwaygazette.com">{{Cite web |last=UK |first=DVV Media |title=Eurostar orders seven more e320s |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/europe/single-view/view/eurostar-orders-seven-more-e320s.html |access-date=14 August 2016 |website=Railwaygazette.com |archive-date=29 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629221124/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/europe/single-view/view/eurostar-orders-seven-more-e320s.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>