European Railroad Discussion > Eurostar has a competitor now?

Oct 11 (Reuters) - Evolyn said on Wednesday it agreed to purchase 12 trains from Alstom (ALSO.PA) for its planned high-speed rail service under the English Channel, which aims to challenge Eurostar's monopoly on the connection.The purchase of 12 trains from France's Alstom could be expanded to 16 trains, Evolyn said in a statement."It would be the first time, after 30 years of Eurostar's monopoly, that a competitor has entered the market," an Evolyn spokesperson told Reuters.
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Planned Eurostar competitor Evolyn to buy 12 trains from France's Alstom | Reuters

Maybe, maybe not:
Actual order?

ambitious, overly?  will see

That is more than amusing with the current number of Eurostar transits per day for both frieght and passengers as
it would slow the traffic transits more due to the added number of trains.

Any added trains would have an effect on any and all scheduled or emergency tunnel maintenance as it now occurs.

The other question is whether they are simply attempting to enter the market with more trains or if they are adding thier
own marshalling yards and lorry to train loading and unloading system.    

Part of me also wonders if they are looking at an east-west rail ferry crossing the English Channel into the system. 

They would need much bigger and wider ferrys to carry full length trains, huge breakwaters and deep water piers not to
mention the work needed to find and dispose of unexploded ordinance on both sides of the channel and the need for
dredging a new port and new sheet pile driving as well as usable drydocks on both sides of the English Channel. 

TOO many questions and until they fess up with more much detail the interested persons want to know.


  

leon Wrote:
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> The other question is whether they are simply
> attempting to enter the market with more
> trains or if they are adding thier
> own marshalling yards and lorry to train loading
> and unloading system.    

This is a competitor to Eurostar not Eurotunnel's Le Shuttle. Network Rail, SNCF Reseau and Eurotunnel will have to agree paths. That'll be an interesting process. I can't imagine any order for trains being submitted until there's certainty that they have the necessary paths and permissions.

Alstom has several high speed trains ready for delivery. Its only a short boat ride across the pond. If Amtrak doesnt take them they might get sold over seas

NSDTK Wrote:
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> Alstom has several high speed trains ready for
> delivery. Its only a short boat ride across the
> pond. If Amtrak doesnt take them they might get
> sold over seas

I doubt they would be acceptable, even if they were available. There are some very strict criteria for trains operating through the Channel Tunnel.