Amid scenes not seen on such a scale in the UK for many years, the new St Pancras International station opened on time at 11.00 on Wednesday 14 November. Thousands and thousands of people flocked to the station to witness first hand the opening of Britain’s new terminal, deemed at “the finest station in the world” and the launch of HS1, the UK's first real high speed line.

After the close of service at Waterloo International on 13 November the overnight change went into clockwork operation, with the St Pancras station throwing open its magnificent wooden doors early morning to let the world see inside the facility.

Well in excess of 500 of the worlds press converged on the station, and literally anyone of any importance in the rail world was present.

The new six 20-car long platforms saw their first two arrivals from Paris and Brussels soon after 11.00 with a huge throng of press filming and photographing every passenger. An amazing party atmosphere surround all the public parts of the station, with children singing on the original forecourt which now offers a head on view of Eurostar trains. The new ‘longest Champagne bar in the world’ located on the upper public floor was doing a good trade, with the cheapest Champagne at £7.50 a glass.

The first passenger departures were a 11.03 VIP service to Paris (worked by sets 3001/2) which were named prior to departure Tred Lightly and the 11.06 to Brussels, formed of sets 3021/22, this was followed by a 12.35 to Paris and a 12.58 to Brussels, all these services attracted huge media interest and high passenger loadings.

Inside the new passenger area ‘train side’ of ticket control and passports was a little disappointing, no shops were available (these are to open ‘soon’) and frankly passengers had nothing to do while waiting for their call to the upper platform level. Design of the station is complex, with a level entry from a new transverse walkway below the station through the ticket and customs line in to a medium size circulating area, located in the vaults and stores area of the original station. Many of the media thought this area was a little stark, the new lighting did not provide the ‘right’ atmosphere. A number of the facilities did not work correctly and workmen were still scurrying around trying to rectify faults with doors, lifts and moving stairways. However that said the station is impressive and refinements might well see an improvement to the passenger perception.

TRC were invited by Eurostar to travel on the first departure to Brussels, formed of sets 3013/04 we departed dead on time at 12.57 and made an impressive departure from the capital. Just over a train length from the station starting signal it dives into the first tunnel section just over the East Coast Main Line emerging briefly at Startford International before diving into a tunnel again to emerge near Dagenham. The run is then via Ebbsfleet and onto Ashford and via the traditional route through the Channel Tunnel.

TRCs return from Brussels was on the 20.59 departure, which on the first day of operation missed out the Lille stop due to industrial action by French workers. This gave for a non-stop run through to St Pancras International which was achieved in a staggering 1hr 44min against the booked fastest time of 1hr 51min. Very impressive.
On arrival at St Pancras International cameras were still clicking and a large reception committee were still on hand to witness the first day of operation.

All in all well worth the travel experience and our recommendation is book up a trip as soon as possible, you wont be disappointed.