Proposed new Channel Tunnel services discussion

[TheWierdOne]

Andy Burnham was in Germany yesterday, the Russian threat has moved the goalposts, and the view reading Germany news in English is that they want UK to be back close to Europe.

Apparently the view that Britain needs to penalised from Brexit has gone, and working to get closer ties back, is now the aim only German side (and personally I think Burnham understands the economic disaster from Brexit to)

My gut feeling is these are evidence of the initial physical rejoin plan, not that anyone dares announce Brexit reversal yet. Public need to slowly convert mindset though gradual improving the links between countries

Oh yes I totally forgot Citizen Burnham was hobnobbing with the chancellor yesterday. That probably has a lot to do with it, given he does have a reputation for public transport.

Edit: I believe that visit included ratifying the agreement that will allow British citizens to use German ePassport gates, which will help with the logistics of the immigration processes no doubt.

 

[Snow1964]

Alstom will also service the trains under a 30-year maintenance contract.

Interestingly the Virgin Press Release says secured track access until at least 2040, and they have signed a 30 year maintenance agreement with Alstom (which would therefore run until nearer 2060). The have obviously calculated risk that trains might end up being used elsewhere after 2040

Under a landmark agreement with French rail group Alstom, spanning the delivery of 12 trains, Virgin will operate a fleet of Avelia Stream trainsets capable of travelling at speeds of up to 300km/h, with customised interiors designed for cross-Channel travel.

No indication if train is 200m, 400m or some other length

Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouses will help inspire pre-departure and onboard social spaces, giving passengers more flexibility to work, relax or socialise in style.

pre-departure, does that mean some sort of station departure lounge ? and if so where will it be in those cramped station waiting areas

https://www.virgin.com/media-centre/news-releases/virgin-offers-first-glimpse-of-new-cross-channel-service-planned-from-2030

 

[Sorcerer]

Well if there were any doubt about the Virgin-Alstom deal I’d say it’s fully confirmed now. Virgin have released the first renders of what their trains will look like. I must say I rather like the livery.

View attachment 212999

https://www.virgin.com/media-centre...f-new-cross-channel-service-planned-from-2030



And in other news, from the same release, although I cannae find anything on the ORR website.

I have mixed feelings. It's very reminiscent of the 1990s Virgin Trains livery, and the flag effects are quite nice. But the lack of contrasting doors (I think white could've worked here) along with the big Virgin logo sort of make it look a bit unprofessional. But it's better than the original red and white concept in my opinion.

 

[zwk500]

But the lack of contrasting doors (I think white could've worked here) along with the big Virgin logo sort of make it look a bit unprofessional.

Presumably they'll need to adjust that to meet the PRM TSI (Persons with Disability and reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability), as Clause 4.2.2.3.2 (3) says:

All exterior passenger doorways shall be marked on the outside in a way that gives a contrast to the vehicle body-side surrounding them.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2014.356.01.0110.01.ENG#anx_1

 

[cle]

I can't imagine they will have Clubhouses. But maybe the train could have one, for business passengers - could be quite a flex. If you could earn VS / KL / AF / DL air/sky miles too, that would attract a huge amount of users. Americans keep Eurostar running practically, the demand is massive - and so many do open jaw trips (business and leisure) - and this would see many decamp from Eurostar.

But it would also grab the frequent flier members from their domestic markets (France, Netherlands) - Virgin Atlantic being the junior partner in this mix.

 

[BRX]

I have mixed feelings. It's very reminiscent of the 1990s Virgin Trains livery, and the flag effects are quite nice. But the lack of contrasting doors (I think white could've worked here) along with the big Virgin logo sort of make it look a bit unprofessional. But it's better than the original red and white concept in my opinion.

I don't think there's much point thinking too much about the details of that image, which someone probably made in about 15 minutes with chatGPT.

 

[30907]

Perhaps the more interesting news on the Chunnel front is that moves are afoot regarding services to Köln Hbf. That is to say, the horrendously overworked station that Jon Worth thought London services would be impossible to run from.

Supposedly the plan is to install the ability to close off the southern half of platform 5 (enough for a 200m train, presumably) and access this via a new bridge from a terminal building outside the station. It's...bold.

They'd also have to close 4 as it's an island