Eurostar: London to Paris

[EMArg]

Eurostar: London to Paris





Here's a report on the Eurostar, taken from a trip I've made from London to Paris in 2018. I had the pleasure of traveling in the new train that they added to their fleet, the Siemmens E320. A shot of this new model at St. Pancras International, London












The First Class:










The Second Class, as highly comfortable as the First one but with smaller sits:










Modern toilets:









Menu on the First Class:










Passing through Ebbsfleet, before going to the Tunnel:










And some shots of the Eurostar within the Gare du Nord, Paris, in a sector who's exclusively used by Eurostar:

[EMArg]

^^


More shots of the trains and the views of England and France:


• Video Link

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by EMArg

Eurostar: London to Paris





Here's a report on the Eurostar, taken from a trip I've made from London to Paris in 2018. I had the pleasure of traveling in the new train that they added to their fleet, the Siemmens E320. A shot of this new model at St. Pancras International, London












The First Class:










The Second Class, as highly comfortable as the First one but with smaller sits:










Modern toilets:









Menu on the First Class:










Passing through Ebbsfleet, before going to the Tunnel:










And some shots of the Eurostar within the Gare du Nord, Paris, in a sector who's exclusively used by Eurostar:

Nice looking trains. They must be narrower than the high speed trains used in China, though - the 2nd class seating shown in these photos is 2-2, whereas in China it's 3-2 (and first class is 2-1, whereas in China it's 2-2). Is this standard for high speed trains in Europe?

[Busy Bee]

The new Siemens trainsets are of course gorgeous, but absolutely nothing will beat the glorious "whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo" passing sound made by the first generation trains at top speed. Many videos on youtube. I'd highly recommend them.

[BrownTown]

I've ridden on this train as well, it is very nice. Only made even nice by comparison to our trains here in NJ that are completely outdated and often filthy and smelling of urine.

Kind of sad that taking a train in another country is such a noteworthy experience for an American whereas I can only imagine it seems quite pedestrian to those in countries where HSR is commonplace.

[UPChicago]

Had the same experience in September

[SIGSEGV]

Maybe in 100 years I can take a train to Milwaukee half as nice as that.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by The Chemist

Nice looking trains. They must be narrower than the high speed trains used in China, though - the 2nd class seating shown in these photos is 2-2, whereas in China it's 3-2 (and first class is 2-1, whereas in China it's 2-2). Is this standard for high speed trains in Europe?

Yes for high speed intercity trains. Much of the differences in reasons why has to do with the width of the train cars.

Eurostar train width is 2.81 m, or 9 feet 3 inches
TGV train width is 2.90 m, or 9 feet 6 inches
ICE train width is 2.95 m, or 9 feet 8 inches
Acela train width is 3.16 m, or 10 feet 4 inches
N700A train width is 3.360 m, or 11 feet 0 inches
CR400 train width is 3.360 m, or 11 feet 0 inches
CR380 train width is 3.40 m, or 11 feet 2 inches.

The Chineses HSR trains are at least 0.55 m, or 21.6 inches wider than Eurostar trains; more than enough to accommodate an additional seat per row.

[tayser]

It's not just a high-speed thing, it's all about loading gauge, specifically in Auld Britannia. The standard British loading gauge is narrower than elsewhere, hence the narrower trains. Background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loadin...#Great_Britain

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

The new Siemens trainsets are of course gorgeous, but absolutely nothing will beat the glorious "whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo" passing sound made by the first generation trains at top speed. Many videos on youtube. I'd highly recommend them.

The Chinese version of the ICE (CRH380A) makes the same sound, and it is as you say, glorious.

What's even better, though, is standing on the platform while one whips by at over 300km/h. Now that's a rush.

[nito]

I find it hard to believe that you’d be on a platform with a train passing through at 300kph; the pressure wave and suction forces would have knocked you over, potentially killing you.