British Rail Class 395 Javelin

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The British Rail Class 395 is a dual-mode electric AC-propulsion electric multiple unit operated by Southeastern. It is compatible with the overhead line and third-rail power systems. The first trainset arrived in Britain on 23 August 2007 and they began revenue service on 29 June 2009.  The fleet of 29 trainsets were all delivered by 17 August 2009.  The Class 395 is the fastest domestic train service in Great Britain and connects London and Kent through the High Speed One, the 108 km (67 mi.) rail link between St Pancras International Station in London (on the north side of Euston Rd. and west side of Pancras Rd. across from King’s Cross Station) and the Euro Tunnel (Channel Tunnel).  The Class 395 is designed and manufactured by Hitachi in Japan using the latest A-train (Advanced commuter and Express train) modular design. The top speed of the Class 395 is 225 km/h (140 mph) on the HS1 and 160 km/h (100 mph) on third-rail powered conventional lines.  Each trainset consists of 6 cars and the 4 cars in the middle of the train are powered.

The first Class 395 at the Hitachi T&RS Depot in Ashford, Kent

Class 395 on the third-rail power system in Kent

The Class 395 will serve as the Javelin Shuttle, the high-speed shuttle service between St Pancras International and Ebbsfleet International Stations during the 2012 London Olympics.

Class 395 on the High Speed One

Here is a short clip of the Class 395 running at speed on the High Speed One.

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