Despite the many obstacles put in the way of train companies running high-speed trains between the UK and Europe, recently 2 consortiums have made public announcements of their plans to compete with Eurostar. While others have come and gone over the years, maybe this time we will eventually enjoy some real competition with a more frequent and cheaper service. Competition in recent years seems to have brought significant benefits to passengers using the high-speed lines in Spain and Italy. It remains to be seen whether any of these plans will see the light of day.

On the 11th of October, EVOLYN (a Spanish-led consortium of various investors) announced plans to order 12 trains for a service through the channel tunnel with a rather optimistic start date of 2025. For further details click here: https://www.railtech.com/rolling-stock/2023/10/17/where-do-things-stand-with-eurostars-rival-evolyn/

Then in November HEURO (a Dutch led consortium of various investors) announced plans to run up to 15 trains/day from Amsterdam to Brussels and London and up to16 trains a day from Amsterdam to Brussels and Paris. At the same time rumours were circulating that Virgin might also be preparing an announcement. For further details click here: https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/heuro-plans-high-speed-services-from-amsterdam-to-brussels-paris-and-london/

EVOLYN came in OCTOBER, then HEURO arrived in NOVEMBER, will it be VIRGIN in DECEMBER?
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