Eurostar is to hold a special unveiling event at St Pancras International station next month to show off its new high-speed e320 train.

The launch event on November 13 will be the train’s first public appearance since the order was first announced four years ago.

Eurostar awarded Siemens a £550 million contract to build 10 new trains for the cross-channel operator in 2010. Delivery of the new trains was delayed from 2014 to 2015 and the project faced legal opposition from Alstom, which was eventually dropped in 2012.

The new trains are intended to expand Eurostar’s international services. The current fleet does not comply with European interoperability standards and is restricted to running a service between the UK, France and Belgium. The new Eurostar e320 sets will be able to operate to Amsterdam, Cologne (Köln) and other continental destinations.

Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: “Over the next two years our customers will see a complete transformation of our service as we upgrade and enhance every stage of the passenger journey.

“By making a substantial investment in our fleet, we are sending a strong signal about the ambition for the business and our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for our passengers.”

Earlier this week, Eurostar celebrated 10 consecutive years of growth, with passenger numbers and revenues continuing to rise in the third quarter of 2014.