Class 395 Feature - Page 1

In 2004, a £250 million order was placed with Hitachi Europe for 28 units. Although ordered before the announcement of the 2012 Olympics being hosted in London, they are referred to as 'Javelin' trains as they will be used to take spectators to the main venue in Stratford.

On 2^nd October 2007, Hitachi Europe unveiled its Ashford Train Depot and 6 car Class 395 unit for Southeastern High Speed Services. 29^th June 2009 saw the units come into service on weekdays. Recently, on 13^th December 2009, a full service came into action. To celetebrate this, we have provided a feature in connection with a full article in the December 2009 edition of Live Rail.

Southeastern's first built-in-Japan class 395 "Javelin" unit landed in the country, at Southampton Docks, on 23rd August 2007.

Its first "flight" on Network Rail, albeit not under its own power, was the 21+24 Southampton to Ashford move on 30th August. 395001 is seen here being hauled through Orpington station in the early hours of Friday morning.