| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 272 (17 16-car sets) |
| Built: | 2012-18 |
| Builder: | Siemens |
| Engine: | Siemens traction equipment (25/15 kV AC / 1.5/3 kV DC OHLE) |
| Power: | 10, 782 hp (8, 000 kW) AC 5, 632 hp (4, 200 kw) DC |
| Formation: | Driving Motor First Open (DMFO)+Trailer Brake First Open (TBFO)+ Motor First Open (MFO)+Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+TSO+MSO+ TSO+Motor Standard Open Restaurant Brake (MSORB) [x2] |
The Class 374 consists of eight car half-sets which operate in pairs with the two driving cars at either end. The Class 374 is part of Siemens Velaro high speed train family though with the traction equipment distributed throughout the train for safety whilst travelling in the Channel Tunnel (this has also allowed the 374 to have a greater passenger carrying capacity than the 373). This safety requirement was key to Alstom when they challenged Eurostar awarding Siemens the contract saying the Velaro broke Channel Tunnel safety rules. However the European Commission rejected this argument and Alstom dropped their legal action.
The original order was for ten sets though an extra seven sets was ordered later on. The Class 374 entered service in 2015, the first of the new extended routes through to Amsterdam was launched in April 2018 [2].
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| Class 374 left and 373 right at St Pancras International |
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| 374 016 at St Pancras International |
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| Two 374s at St Pancras International |
[1] Colin J Marsden (ed.), "Siemens Class 374 (e320) Stock", Modern Locomotives Illustrated No. 227 October-November 2017 (Eurostar Stock) p. 72
[2] "Eurostar to Amsterdam in April", Modern Railways (March 2018) p. 12