Highspeed fleet upgrade on track as final refurbished Javelin train returns to service
28/05/2025
Southeastern completes first phase of £27 million Class 395 refresh programme.
The final Class 395 Javelin train to undergo an interior refurbishment has re-entered passenger service, marking the completion of the first phase of Southeastern’s ambitious £27 million upgrade to its flagship highspeed fleet.
Train unit 395017 officially resumed operations on Monday 19th May from the operator’s Ashford Train Maintenance Centre, completing the refresh across all 29 trains in the Class 395 fleet.
Delivered in partnership with Eversholt Rail and Hitachi Rail, the first phase of the upgrade included a full interior revamp with re-painting, new carpets, reupholstered seating, energy-efficient LED lighting, and the installation of USB charging ports at every seat.
Phase two of the project is already underway and will see significant technology enhancements introduced across the fleet’s 174 carriages. These include the rollout of a new passenger information system featuring onboard media screens that display real-time updates and journey details. An upgraded CCTV system is also being fitted, allowing for improved remote monitoring, increased customer safety, and enhanced visibility for train drivers when entering and exiting stations.
In addition to the interior work, passengers can expect to see a fresh new look on the outside of the trains, with a sleek redesigned livery currently being applied across the fleet.
Mark Johnson, Southeastern’s engineering and major programmes director, said the upgrade reflects the operator’s commitment to improving the passenger experience: “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 first launched in December 2009, providing the UK’s fastest passenger journeys at speeds of up to 140mph. The Javelin trains connect London St Pancras International with Ashford, East Kent, and Medway.
The Class 395 refresh forms part of a broader investment in the Southeastern fleet, which also includes:
Train unit 395017 officially resumed operations on Monday 19th May from the operator’s Ashford Train Maintenance Centre, completing the refresh across all 29 trains in the Class 395 fleet.
Delivered in partnership with Eversholt Rail and Hitachi Rail, the first phase of the upgrade included a full interior revamp with re-painting, new carpets, reupholstered seating, energy-efficient LED lighting, and the installation of USB charging ports at every seat.
Phase two of the project is already underway and will see significant technology enhancements introduced across the fleet’s 174 carriages. These include the rollout of a new passenger information system featuring onboard media screens that display real-time updates and journey details. An upgraded CCTV system is also being fitted, allowing for improved remote monitoring, increased customer safety, and enhanced visibility for train drivers when entering and exiting stations.
In addition to the interior work, passengers can expect to see a fresh new look on the outside of the trains, with a sleek redesigned livery currently being applied across the fleet.
Mark Johnson, Southeastern’s engineering and major programmes director, said the upgrade reflects the operator’s commitment to improving the passenger experience: “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 first launched in December 2009, providing the UK’s fastest passenger journeys at speeds of up to 140mph. The Javelin trains connect London St Pancras International with Ashford, East Kent, and Medway.
The Class 395 refresh forms part of a broader investment in the Southeastern fleet, which also includes:
- A mid-life refresh of Class 376 trains with new lighting, reupholstered seating and USB ports;
- The retrofitting of toilets in all 30 Class 707 ‘City Beam’ units;
- The transfer of 13 newer Class 377 trains from Govia Thameslink Railway;
- And an ongoing procurement programme to replace older Networker trains.