Trenitalia submits Section 17 application for Temple Mills Depot access

FS Italiane Group (FS Group) has applied to use Temple Mills International Depot (TMI) as part of its plans to introduce new cross-channel services.

The group which operates under the Trenitalia brand in Europe and already runs high-speed services in Italy and France, submitted a bid to link London and Paris in April – hoping to begin services in December 2029. It has joined bids by Evolyn, Gemini Trains and Virgin in wanting to rival Eurostar. However, at the time of the initial application, it was unclear as to whether it would be planning on stabling at TMI.

In its Section 17 depot access application to the Office for Rail and Road, Trenitalia has said it will be hoping to have access to TMI for both daytime and overnight stabling.

It has applied to stable four trains per day, of which three would be single units and one multiple unit stabled overnight, whilst during the day, that number is reduced to an average of one single unit. It has also sought access for two cleaning slots overnight.

The application has also specified which units Trenitalia plans to use on its services, specifying that its ETR1000 model would be the preferred option. The application states that “two roads (of eight roads of the maintenance depot) equipped for rolling stock ETR1000.” would be needed.

This access request is coupled with another request for one permanent track for maintenance needs.

The ETR1000 is known as the Frecciarossa 1000 on the continent and currently operates services between Paris and Milan as well as many services in both Italy and Spain.

Its plans complicate an already complicated picture with space at TMI at a premium. Eurostar has repeatedly said there is no additional space at the depot despite a study by the Office of Rail and Road stating that it could accommodate some additional trains if needed.

The report however has found that changes around the site could improve capacity. These include operational changes as well as adding new facilities to unlock additional space.

The report recommended six options. This included upgrading capability of roads containing lavatory facilities, upgrading four reception roads or three stabling roads for cleaning. It also recommended improving walking routes and staff facilities around TMI so work and removing the decommissioned Class 373s.

FS Group has sad it’s committed €1 billion to build a European rail network and hopes it will gain access to TMI in 2028 for testing to begin before beginning services in 2029.