Eurostar and Virgin rival reveals big plans for new routes to Europe from the UK
The company announced it hopes to run trains through the Channel Tunnel to the UK by 2029 - despite losing out on access to the Temple Mills depot to Virgin Trains.
By ALESIA FIDDLER - TRAVEL REPORTER
Published: 10:46 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 10:52 GMT, 1 January 2026
A rail company has revealed its plans to take on Eurostar and Virgin with new routes to Europe from the UK.
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, also known as FS Group, announced it hopes to run trains through the Channel Tunnel to the UK by 2029.
The move comes after the Italian state-owned rail company secured support from Certares, an American private equity firm, The Telegraph reports.
Last year, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed it would allocate spare capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in Leyton, East London.
Temple Mills is the only train depot that can be accessed from High Speed 1, the line that runs between London and the tunnel and Eurostar has held monopoly for the past 31 years.
In October, the ORR confirmed Virgin Trains had been granted access to the depot.
FS Group missed out on the spot, but now plans to bring a third train service to rival both Virgin and Eurostar.
To tackle the lack of space in the Temple Mills depot, the company intends to base 10 Channel Tunnel trains at a new spot being built in France, near Paris.
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, also known as FS Group, announced it hopes to run trains through the Channel Tunnel to the UK by 2029
Last year, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed it would allocate spare capacity at Eurostar's Temple Mills maintenance depot in Leyton, East London
This would mean FS Group would not need to rely on the UK depot for storage, and could still travel into the country from France.
FS Group told The Telegraph: 'The company intends to further expand its network, including entry onto the Paris-London route and additional cross-border services.'
One train would stay overnight in London St Pancras to set off first thing in the morning.
Virgin intends to begin services from London St. Pancras to Europe from 2030, meaning FS Group could beat the rail service by a year.
Plans are in place for Virgin routes from London to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam Central.
There could also be further expansions across France and into Germany and Switzerland.