Alstom and Virgin have signed an agreement for the supply of 12 high-speed trains from the Avelia Stream family, together with their long-term maintenance, to support the future cross-Channel rail services that Virgin plans to launch in 2030. The signing of the contract follows on from the announcement made in August 2025.
The trains, which feature distributed traction and are capable of travelling at 300 km/h, will be designed and manufactured at the Savigliano plant in Italy, formerly owned by FIAT Ferroviaria and the birthplace of the Pendolino. Currently, the Avelia Pendolino forms part of the Avelia Stream platform alongside the Zefiro, developed by Bombardier.
Maintenance of the trains will be carried out by Alstom’s teams in the UK.
Virgin plans to operate up to 20 return services a day between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, which would mean nearly 7.5 million additional seats a year on this route.
The company already holds access rights to the UK infrastructure until at least 2040 and has an agreement with Eurostar to use the Temple Mills depot in London. However, Alstom’s order remains subject to regulatory approvals and the financial closure of the project.
The collaboration brings the two companies together once again; they previously worked together on the Pendolino 390 series trains commissioned by Virgin Trains via Angel Trains to operate on the British West Coast, which are now operated by Avanti West Coast.