Here's a thought. It's not just licensing that stopping DTG developing this iconic train, it's actually the law. Moreover, it's actually the law that's stopping Eurostar from even letting DTG obtain any reference material. It's actually a criminal offence to take any photographs from the Eurostar depot in the UK. Staff are not allowed even to take photographs themselves, which is why very few photographs exist of inside North Pole Depot from then sets started operating. There might be a way to get round this. Thanks to the shortened sets that are used on the SNCF domestics Izy services. DTG might be able to legally gain the information they need to model the TGV TMST directly though SNCF, a organization they already have a good relationship with. OK, we won't have our lovely Eurostar livery, but life isn't perfect and you won't be able to tell from the cab! The Izy livery ain't that bad either. SNCF would probably insist that the set is livered to the current branding, otherwise the original SNCF TGV TMST livery would be a very good analogue to the Eurostar colours. They would be the shorter sets, however who would complain? Kind regards Richard
UK government were very concerned about the IRA targeting the train's operation, given how vulnerable something could be in a 25 mile long tunnel . The IRA still posed a very real threat in the 90's, legislation is here: https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1994/mar/03/channel-tunnel-security-order-1994 and https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1994/570/contents/made