Eurostar's new trains

Andrew Sharp, our rail correspondent, recently rode to Paris and back in Eurostar’s new e20 trains. Here are his impressions. Readers should note these trains are not on all services.

The train looked big, inside and out. It was spacious, light and clean. In Business and Standard Premier Classes, seating is a mix of aircraft style with tables for two and tables for four. It was disappointing to see that some ‘window’ seats had no view – except of a pillar! The seat-back cup-holder was too small for the cup of coffee bought at the station café.

Lighting was generally good, although the individual seat light didn’t illuminate the bottom corner of an A4 sheet. Overhead luggage stacks were capacious, as were other luggage stacks. The gangway between cars was user-friendly.

Business Premier was well filled on the way out (10:24 on a Sunday) as was Standard Premier on the return Monday evening.

A hot towel was offered after Ebbsfleet, followed by a choice of hot or cold breakfast. Everything at once! 

The ride was slightly rougher than the old trains, especially on the highest-speed sections in France: the top speed (320km/h) is slightly higher.

And the on-board information screens were excellent – entertaining and reducing significantly the need for bilingual announcements!

www.eurostar.com

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