Southeastern Unveils New Railway 200 Class 395 ‘Javelin’ Train to Celebrate Two Hundred Years of UK Passenger Rail
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In a major milestone for the rail industry, Southeastern and Hornby have revealed the newly designed Railway 200 Class 395 ‘Javelin’ high-speed train, marking 200 years of passenger rail services in the UK. The launch event, held at Margate railway station—home of Hornby—saw the attendance of local business leaders and tourism representatives who have benefited from the transformative impact of high-speed rail.
The Railway 200 Class 395 ‘Javelin’ Train: A Celebration of Progress
The standout train, 395015, features a unique Railway 200 graphic and is the first in the fleet to sport the updated high-speed livery. This unveiling is part of a year-long celebration—Railway 200—that acknowledges the significant legacy of passenger rail services in the UK. Throughout the year, various events and initiatives will take place across the country to celebrate this historic anniversary.
While the new high-speed livery will soon be featured on other trains, 395015 will remain the only one to showcase the special Railway 200 graphic. The design captures iconic landmarks and destinations accessible via Southeastern’s high-speed rail services, such as St Pancras International, The Orbit at Stratford, the picturesque oast houses and hop fields of Kent, Rochester Castle, the Harbour Arm Lighthouse in Folkestone, the Turner Contemporary in Margate, and the striking White Cliffs of Dover.
A Special Hornby Edition
Coinciding with the train’s entry into service, Hornby has released exclusive Train and Coach Packs featuring the new livery and Railway 200 graphic. Rail enthusiasts can now purchase these special packs directly from the Hornby website, allowing them to own a detailed model version of this historic train.
Record-Breaking Travel Numbers
Southeastern’s high-speed services have seen a remarkable surge in passenger numbers, with over 15 million journeys recorded in the last financial year—setting a new post-pandemic travel record. This represents a 6.6% growth compared to the previous year, underscoring the increasing popularity of high-speed rail. Since their introduction in 2009, these services have facilitated more than 177 million journeys, revolutionizing travel between Kent and central London.
Boosting Economic Growth and Connectivity
The high-speed rail services have dramatically enhanced the transport links between Kent and the heart of London, driving regional economic growth and improving social mobility. According to a 2019 report by Kent County Council, HS1 services have enabled 164,000 additional households in Kent to access job opportunities in central London, providing greater access to career prospects and improving living standards.
A Gateway to Kent’s Attractions
Beyond its economic benefits, high-speed rail has also made it simpler for visitors from across the country and beyond to explore Kent’s renowned tourist attractions. The unveiling of the Railway 200 Class 395 ‘Javelin’ highlights the continuing importance of high-speed rail in connecting people with the incredible experiences and landmarks in Kent, helping to preserve the legacy of passenger rail travel while offering new opportunities for exploration.
Alicia Andrews, Commercial Director at Southeastern, said,“The Southeastern High-Speed service is currently the only domestic high-speed service in the UK. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate the transformative effect rail investment can bring by connecting people with employment, housing, education and opportunities.
“In the last financial year, Southeastern highspeed set a new post-pandemic record of just over 15million journeys which shows how important it remains to the region.
“Railway 200 is a special year for us all and we have already unveiled a specially designed Network SouthEast train as well as celebrating the 189th birthday of London’s oldest station, Deptford and we are delighted to continue today by partnering with Hornby.
“We are delighted to showcase with this special train some of the attractions and businesses which have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from the connections provided by highspeed rail and Southeastern.”
Clarrie Wallis, Director, Turner Contemporary, added, “High-speed rail has brought millions of visitors to Turner Contemporary, serving as a vital and environmentally friendly link to our gallery.
“We’re proud to manage the Creative Isle Community Rail Partnership in Thanet and to participate in the Railway 200 celebrations this year, highlighting the essential role rail plays in sustainably connecting people to art and culture in Margate and beyond.”
Martyn Weaver, Hornby Brand MD, added,”Collaborating with Southeastern on this project has been a fantastic way to celebrate 200 years of passenger rail travel.
“The Railway 200 livery is a striking tribute to this milestone, and it’s exciting to see it recreated both on the full-size Class 395 and in model form. It’s a great example of how railway heritage continues to inspire both the real and model railway worlds.”
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