Train service from Cologne to London?

Will there be a direct train service between the stations in Cologne and London in the future? From 2013, according to the current timetable, Deutsche Bahn (DB) plans to offer a direct service between Cologne and London, putting it in competition with Eurostar. Until now, Eurostar has been the sole operator of the route through the Channel Tunnel.

The ICE trains built by German conglomerate Siemens will travel through the Channel Tunnel to the British island of Great Britain on their way to London at speeds of over 300 kilometres per hour. The first test run has already taken place: a Deutsche Bahn ICE high-speed train was tested in a field trial in the Channel Tunnel between France and Great Britain over the past weekend. During the trial, an emergency was simulated with 300 volunteer “extras.” This field trial is considered an important test for the planned connection between London and Cologne.

Another section of the route in Great Britain is also attracting public interest: the British government has announced that it plans to sell the connecting line between London and the Channel Tunnel. According to the Sunday Times, bidders include the Munich-based insurance group Allianz, along with other international companies, which is prepared to offer 2.3 billion euros for the route. Europe’s largest insurance company has not yet commented on the Sunday Times report.

However, political and business experts are convinced that Allianz could well be interested in purchasing this section of the route. The group has already announced that it plans to increase its investment in alternative assets in the future, in order to become less dependent on the financial markets.