Eurostar has set another record for train travel with its inaugural service between Brussels and the new London St Pancras terminal.
It broke the two-hour barrier, travelling at speeds of more than 186mph through Kent into London.
The 232-mile journey from Brussels Midi station to St Pancras took one hour, 43 minutes, shaving 20 minutes off the time it currently takes to Waterloo.
A new record for the Paris to London St Pancras route was set on 4 September.
That trip, which also used the new £5.8bn dedicated high-speed route from the Channel Tunnel near Folkestone, took two hours, three minutes and 39 seconds.
"The aim of today's inaugural service is to put London to Brussels firmly within the two-hour club"
Thursday's journey marks the latest stage in changes to Eurostar's services.
"Today's journey puts London to Brussels firmly within the two-hour club," said chief executive Richard Brown.
From 14 November, all the company's services to France and Belgium will use the new 68-mile high-speed link on the UK side of the Channel.
The line runs through tunnels for much of its route from St Pancras, which will be used by Eurostar instead of Waterloo.
The line from London to the coast is opening 13 years after the Channel Tunnel, taking Eurostar off busy commuter lines through Kent.
The new terminus will allow easier through connections to most other London mainline stations, particularly Kings Cross and Euston.
From November, travellers will be able to buy through fares to Paris and Brussels for the first time from about 70 UK stations.
Eurostar is hoping to attract more travellers away from regional airports, emphasising the speed, convenience and green credentials of its service.
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