Could Eurostar run extra trains at times of high demand, such as when flights are cancelled?

[railfan99]

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Would it be impossible for Eurostar to schedule extra trains (lack of staff, lack of paths available from Getlink, limited passenger processing numbers per hour at all ES stations) or could this occur?

One report I've read indicates Heathrow could be closed for several days.

 

[sh24]

Eurostar availability has pretty much evaporated. Not sure why anyone would want to stand on a train rather than have a seat on a coach.

 

[jon0844]

Eurostar doesn't allow people to stand, so once they're fully seated that's it.

Perhaps in some emergency scenario they would allow it, and the older trains were designed so that could happen with everyone in one half moving into the other half, but Eurostar is highly unlikely to be able to cope. Perhaps if the airport remains closed tomorrow they could run more trains?

 

[fandroid]

Eurostar availability has pretty much evaporated. Not sure why anyone would want to stand on a train rather than have a seat on a coach.

Apart from Eurostar not allowing standing, there's the small issue of time. 2hrs + on the train compared with rather a lot!

 

[Trainbike46]

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Would it be impossible for Eurostar to schedule extra trains (lack of staff, lack of paths available from Getlink, limited passenger processing numbers per hour at all ES stations) or could this occur?

One report I've read indicates Heathrow could be closed for several days.

Historically, they have been able to add a very small number of extra trains (think like one a day). More may be possible with longer notice, which of course doesn't exist in this situation.

 

[hexagon789]

Historically, they have been able to add a very small number of extra trains (think like one a day). More may be possible with longer notice, which of course doesn't exist in this situation.

They've since tweeted they will be running one extra train each way, 1500 from London and 2000 from Paris.

 

[zwk500]

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Heathrow Airport closes all day over power outage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg5dg4p2l0o Heathrow Airport is closing all day Friday because of a large fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it. The airport is experiencing a "significant power outage" because of the fire...

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Would it be impossible for Eurostar to schedule extra trains (lack of staff, lack of paths available from Getlink, limited passenger processing numbers per hour at all ES stations) or could this occur?

One report I've read indicates Heathrow could be closed for several days.

They can and do schedule extra trains but they are also a fully commercial organisation so don't tend to have a lot of staff and trains left hanging about waiting for something to do. There's also the issue of getting schedules agreed at late notice across 3 distinct railways (SNCF, the Channel Tunnel, and HS1). Obviously, the shorter the notice the harder it is to do anything about it.

 

[signed]

They've since tweeted they will be running one extra train each way, 1500 from London and 2000 from Paris.

They have now scheduled another set on top

1645 from London and 2100 from Paris

 

[zwk500]

They have now scheduled another set on top

1645 from London and 2100 from Paris

To have 2 return trips inserted with less than 24hrs notice is pretty good going

 

[dk1]

To have 2 return trips inserted with less than 24hrs notice is pretty good going

Very much so. Well done to all involved.

 

[Starmill]

Eurostar doesn't allow people to stand, so once they're fully seated that's it.

Perhaps in some emergency scenario they would allow it, and the older trains were designed so that could happen with everyone in one half moving into the other half, but Eurostar is highly unlikely to be able to cope. Perhaps if the airport remains closed tomorrow they could run more trains?

Worth noting that Eurostar Continental do have discretion to allow some passengers without booked seats onboard. They may sit in the bar or the train manager may be able to locate them a seat which was a no show. I am assuming however you are using Eurostar as shorthand here for Eurostar London, and here, just as you say, there there is no discretion to allow standing beyond some emergency evacuation of a train or similar.

 

[supervc-10]

IIRC that's so that the train can be split in the tunnel and all passengers get into the 'good' half to get out? So the effective 'standing room' has to be kept clear on normal services to allow the seated passengers from the other end of the train to move in an emergency.

 

[jon0844]

Worth noting that Eurostar Continental do have discretion to allow some passengers without booked seats onboard. They may sit in the bar or the train manager may be able to locate them a seat which was a no show. I am assuming however you are using Eurostar as shorthand here for Eurostar London, and here, just as you say, there there is no discretion to allow standing beyond some emergency evacuation of a train or similar.

Yes, apologies for forgetting Eurostar isn't just trains from St Pancras anymore.

IIRC that's so that the train can be split in the tunnel and all passengers get into the 'good' half to get out? So the effective 'standing room' has to be kept clear on normal services to allow the seated passengers from the other end of the train to move in an emergency.

That was the original Eurostar stock, but the newer (shorter) trains don't split. However, despite potentially allowing for more people to fit inside the train - there must be the consideration of an evacuation and how many people can be safely moved to the adjacent service tunnel and moved?

 

[Failed Unit]

That makes sense. I don’t think a lot of trains are full either in case a 373 replaces a service booked for a 374. I have always managed to get onto the previous service if I arrive early, so between that am no-shows it must work.

All rail operators struggle. I am amazed in the past how quickly east coast operators have managed to extend Newcastle terminating services to Edinburgh.

they may have a few spare sets / crews but if something goes wrong and they cancel elsewhere it doesn’t look good.

 

[zwk500]

That was the original Eurostar stock, but the newer (shorter) trains don't split. However, despite potentially allowing for more people to fit inside the train - there must be the consideration of an evacuation and how many people can be safely moved to the adjacent service tunnel and moved?

Exactly this. Channel tunnel requirements have changed but they still are quite stringent and evacuation off the train to the service tunnel has to be completed in a minimum amount of time, noting the channel does not have walkways at train door height so evacuation is to track level and therefore slower.

 

[Trainbike46]

To have 2 return trips inserted with less than 24hrs notice is pretty good going

It's really impressive. They've added in 1 extra train at such short notice before, but two is really impressive