UK-based Gemini Trains has selected Siemens Mobility’s Velaro Novo trains for its future international services between London (Stratford International and Ebbsfleet) and the cities of Paris, Brussels and Köln.
The company announced on 9 October that the decision was made after “many months of research” to determine the most suitable rolling stock.
The planned order includes ten units, each 200 metres long. The Velaro Novo, introduced by Siemens in 2018, can reach speeds of up to 360 km/h, weigh 15 % less than previous models and consume 30 % less energy.
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If the purchase is confirmed (pending a decision by the British ORR), this will be the first order in Europe for Siemens’ latest generation of high-speed trains. So far, only the American Brightline had ordered it, in its version adapted to the US market.
Deutsche Bahn, Siemens’ main customer for high-speed trains, opted in 2020 for an upgraded version of the Velaro D (407 series). Called Velaro neo or ICE 3 neo (408 series), it came after the German operator scrapped the Velaro Novo to speed up delivery of its latest order and avoid the delays suffered with the 407 series.
Gemini will operate like Uber… If you get access to the workshops
To provide the service and manage ticket sales, Gemini has reached an agreement with Uber to use its brand and technology platform.
The project will be financed by Rock Rail, which specialises in financial structuring for railway equipment and will work closely with Siemens and Gemini. The project will also be supported by the transport app Uber, which will market the tickets under a co-brand.
Gemini, together with Virgin (which has opted for Alstom) and the Evolyn-Trenitalia France consortium, is awaiting clearance from UK regulator ORR for access to the Temple Mills maintenance depot in London, a decision expected before the end of October.
Access to a depot and maintenance workshops is the main barrier for new operators. The one at Temple Mills, operated by Eurostar, is at maximum capacity and can only serve one other operator. In this vein, Eurostar has invited its future rivals to invest in own depots.
Only a new operator will be able to share the use of this facility with Eurostar. In order to facilitate competition, Getlink has lowered the requirements to run on the Eurotunnel in 2023.