Today the British partner in the Eurostar consortium is London and Continental Railways, which is jointly owned by British Airways and National Express. In the autumn of 1999 four French owned sets, 3203/4 and 3227/8, were withdrawn from the Eurostar pool by SNCF to work internal services between Paris and Lille. Subsequently 3225/6 has also been withdrawn from the Eurostar pool. These units wear a livery of grey with silver ends and display a TGV emblem.

Mention should be made of the eight regional Eurostar sets ordered at the same time by BR for use on planned international services originating and terminating beyond London. Sixteen car services were intended to be formed of pairs of eight car units made up DM, MS, 3TS, RB, TF and TBF, however the services are not thought to be viable and for most of the time the expensive stock has remained in store. From May 28 2000 two pairs of this stock (usually 3301-4) were hired to GNER to provide additional capacity on their "White Rose" service between Kings Cross and York. Subsequently this UK domestic TMST operation was moved to the Kings Cross to Leeds route and a third unit pair was hired. Currently 3301/2/4/4/5/6 carry GNER livery for this purpose although other regional sets are substituted when these are required for maintenance.

photograph by Colin Duff

photograph by Colin Duff

photograph by Colin Duff

photograph by Colin Duff