DNA optics Eurostar to roll out new trains Eurostar gets a new fleet of trains, but how great are they?

Eurostar is set for its first renovation in 20 years, bringing the service up-to-date with a new fleet of bespoke trains that will be rolled out from the end of 2015. But for the time-being, the new trains will only travel on the Paris-London route.

Siemens have engineered 17 new trains for Eurostar, with 894 seats spread across 16 carriages to join the existing fleet. The new e320s — so called because that’s their top speed in km/h — will be compatible with the entire European high-speed rail network.

There are some impressive updates, so POLITICO took at look at how close they come to matching passengers’ expectations.

THE WISH: Free wifi on board so that I can work on the train.

THE REALITY: Eurostar have announced that the free Wi-fi on their trains will be delivered using 3G mobile networks. Still a marked improvement on the wifi-less classic Eurostar.

THE WISH: I can’t wait to book a ticket on one of these awesome new trains.

THE REALITY: Hold your horses. “The booking process won’t specify the type of train, simply because this can change at any time due to various reasons,” Eurostar said.

Initially the new trains will only travel on the London-Paris line but it is possible that other destinations, including Brussels, will be added in future. For the time being, you have to trust Eurostar to “choose the right train for the right journey,” as they put it.

However, don’t be dismayed. Eurostar will update its current fleet, with the first refurbished trains coming into service later this month. The remodelled trains will have all the same features as the e320s, so "passengers really shouldn’t be able to tell the difference,” the company said.

THE FEAR: This must have cost a fortune, ticket prices are bound to go up.

THE REALITY: The new trains cost over £1 billion, but Eurostar insist the prices will remain the same.

THE WISH: I want to be able to charge my phone and laptop.

THE REALITY: U.K./EU electrical sockets in all classes, with the added bonus of USB sockets in Business Premier and Standard Premier coaches, which have been moved to the ends of the train to limit the number of people walking through them.

THE WISH: Information screens in every coach.

THE REALITY: No problem here — no more droning trilingual announcements.

THE WISH: New train? Does that mean new food?

THE REALITY: The catering service won’t be changing.

This story was updated to clarify the way wifi will be provided on the new Eurostar trains.