Eurostar Raises Heat Tolerance Requirement for New Trains to 55 Degrees Celsius

Eurostar has instructed manufacturers to design its new fleet of high-speed trains to operate in temperatures up to 55 degrees Celsius, or 131 degrees Fahrenheit. The company initially specified a maximum of 45 degrees Celsius for the trains, which connect London, Paris, and Brussels. A spokesperson said the change followed intensifying heatwaves across Europe.

The trains, valued at a collective €2 billion, are expected to enter service in 2031. The spokesperson stated that preparation for future conditions is necessary because the trains will run into the 2060s.

Thursday, Eurostar offered passengers the option to rebook Saturday trains without charge due to extreme temperatures. The company advised passengers who travel to bring sufficient water. Chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave told the Financial Times that this year's heatwave arrived earlier, lasted longer, and reached higher temperatures than previous events.

Parts of Europe recorded record June temperatures in France, Switzerland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Some rail services have been delayed or cancelled as high temperatures risk warping metal tracks.