BusinessBelgium

Eurostar upgrades new train order to withstand 55C heat

Eurostar has changed the technical specification for its future Celestia trains so they can operate in temperatures up to 55C, after recent European heatwaves exposed the growing climate risk to cross-border rail.

Belgium Impulse Editorial·12 July 2026·1 min read·
Well established· 1 primary source + 2 official documents + 3 independent reporting sources

In 30 seconds

  • Eurostar has reportedly changed the heat specification for new trains from 45C to 55C.
  • Alstom said in October 2025 that 30 Avelia Horizon trains were ordered for Eurostar, with options for up to 20 more.
  • First deliveries of the new Eurostar fleet are scheduled for 2031, according to Alstom.
  • Belgium’s RMI listed a heat warning from 09 July to 14 July 2026.

The subject is Eurostar’s decision to revise the technical specification of its future Celestia high-speed train fleet, supplied by Alstom, so the trains can operate in extreme heat up to 55C. The main entities are Eurostar, chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave, Alstom, SNCF Voyageurs and Belgium’s Royal Meteorological Institute.

Background

European high-speed rail was built around long asset lives and predictable engineering standards. Recent heatwaves have changed the planning assumptions for rails, power systems, air conditioning and onboard electronics.

Context & what happens next

What to do

There is no immediate change for passengers. Over time, the upgrade is intended to reduce the risk of heat-related failures and discomfort on future Eurostar services.

Impact

Regional — Belgium is affected through Brussels-Midi and the wider Eurostar network. The new Celestia fleet is planned for routes serving Belgium, but no immediate timetable change for Belgian passengers has been announced.

Evidence
Well established · 1 primary source + 2 official documents + 3 independent reporting sources
Explore evidence →
Financial Times
Published:
9 Jul 2026, 02:00
Retrieved by ODIN:
9 Jul 2026
Read original ↗
Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium
Published:
9 Jul 2026, 02:00
Retrieved by ODIN:
9 Jul 2026
Read original ↗
The Guardian
Published:
9 Jul 2026, 02:00
Retrieved by ODIN:
9 Jul 2026
Read original ↗

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