Alstom announced on Wednesday that the French rail operator SNCF Voyageurs had approved a 1.4-billion-euro ($1.63-billion) order from Alstom for 30 more very high speed trains for international service, under the Eurostar brand.

This order is part a larger framework agreement between SNCF & Alstom that now covers 145 train models. Alstom announced that deliveries will begin in 2031.

The group stated that the deal includes up to 20 additional trains.

It said that the new trains would operate under the Eurostar name in five countries, including France, Belgium and Germany. They will also reach London via the Channel Tunnel.

The first double-decked high-speed trains to run along the Channel Tunnel route will be in 2019.

(source: Reuters)