Southeastern’s iconic highspeed ‘Javelins’ are looking better than ever, as the last unit in the 29-strong Class 395 fleet has completed an interior refresh and returned to passenger service.
The final train - unit 395017 - re-entered service on Monday 19 May from the operator’s Ashford Train Maintenance Centre.
This marks the end of the first phase of a comprehensive £27 million upgrade programme that is being delivered in partnership with Eversholt Rail and Hitachi Rail.
Phase one of the upgrade included:
- A full interior refresh with re-painting, new carpets, and new seats
- At-seat USB charge points
- New energy-efficient LED lighting
Phase two, now underway, will see the installation of the latest passenger information system (PIS) across all 174 carriages. The new onboard media screens will provide real-time updates and travel information, enhancing the overall passenger experience.
A new CCTV system is also being installed throughout each train that can be accessed remotely for improved customer safety and comfort. It also provides better visual quality for drivers when entering and departing stations, as well as helping to monitor rail condition for maintenance requirements.
To complement the interior improvements each train is getting a fresh, newly designed exterior livery.
You can watch a short video about the upgrade below:
Southeastern’s Engineering and Major Programmes Director, Mark Johnson, said:
“We are committed to delivering better journeys for our customers and the refurbishment of our flagship highspeed fleet is a vital part of our programme.
I’m really pleased that we have successfully completed the first interior refresh phase of this project but there is still more to come.
We’re adding a new passenger information system in all 174 carriages, which will give the most up-to-date travel advice for their journeys, as well as enhanced CCTV for customer safety and comfort.
To complement all the great work on the inside of the trains we’re also wrapping the exterior in a sleek, newly designed livery. Look out for them across our network over the coming months.”
Southeastern’s highspeed service started in December 2009. The trains travel at 140mph and connects London St Pancras International with Ashford, East Kent, and Medway.
This multi-million pound investment modernises the trains and ensures that the fastest UK passenger service remains a reliable, comfortable and sustainable choice for rail passengers in the years to come.
The upgrade of the highspeed trains is part of a wider investment in the Southeastern fleet, which includes:
- Class 376 mid-life refresh with refurbished seating, new LED lighting and at-seat power points.
- Retrofitting toilets in all 30 Class 707 ‘City Beams’.
- Transfer of 13 newer Class 377 trains from Govia Thameslink Railway.
- Ongoing procurement programme to replace the older Networker trains.
Eversholt Rail’s Client Services Director, Paul Sutherland, said:
“We are continually investing in our fleets and have worked in partnership with Southeastern and Hitachi Rail to deliver this high-quality refurbishment to our Class 395 trains.
This first phase of the programme will provide people in the Southeast with an ‘as-new’ interior refresh, at-seat USB power and LED lighting, resulting in a much improved passenger experience.
We’re looking forward to continuing to work together to deliver the CCTV and Passenger Information System upgrades in the second phase of the programme.”
