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Javelin train speeds from London New train makes 140mph test-run
(about 2 hours later)
Rail travellers have been whisked out of London at 140mph for the first time on a special preview trip on board a new Japanese-built "Javelin" train. Guests on board a test-run of Britain's fastest commuter train have been whisked from London to Kent and back again at speeds of up to 140mph.
Guests were taking part in a test run on a London to Kent round-trip ahead of the start of passenger services. The Hitachi train travelled from St Pancras station to Ashford in Kent in just 30 minutes before making the return journey in 29 minutes.
Southeastern will begin a limited high-speed service on 29 June followed by a full service from 13 December. Southeastern will begin a limited high-speed service on the line on 29 June with a full service from 13 December.
The Hitachi trains will run on the Channel Tunnel line and will reduce journey times by up to 43 minutes. The Japanese-built trains will reduce journey times by up to 43 minutes.
It will cut Ashford to London journey times from 80 minutes to 37 minutes, while Ebbsfleet to London will take 17 minutes. The test-run on the Channel Tunnel line passed without a hitch and was slightly quicker than the forthcoming passenger services as it did not stop at Ebbsfleet.
The Javelin trains, which have 338 seats and can carry up to 508 people, will also be used to take spectators from St Pancras to the 2012 Olympics site at Stratford in east London in seven minutes. The services are expected to cut Ashford to London journey times from 80 minutes to 37 minutes. Ebbsfleet to London will take 17 minutes.
The trains, which have 338 seats and can carry up to 508 people, will provide the "javelin" service to take spectators from St Pancras to the 2012 Olympics site at Stratford in east London in just seven minutes.
'Value for money''Value for money'
However, passengers using the Class 395 trains, which use technology from Hitachi's high-speed bullet trains, later this month will have to pay more for the pleasure. However, passengers using the Class 395 trains, which use technology from Japan's high-speed bullet trains, later this month will have to pay more for the pleasure.
Fares on the preview trains will be £26.60 from Ashford to London instead of the normal £22.20.Fares on the preview trains will be £26.60 from Ashford to London instead of the normal £22.20.
Existing ticket holders can pay the £4.40 supplement at any station and first-class ticket holders will be able to use the high-speed service for no extra cost.Existing ticket holders can pay the £4.40 supplement at any station and first-class ticket holders will be able to use the high-speed service for no extra cost.
It's a great day for passengers and a great day for UK railways Transport Secretary Lord Adonis On board with our transport expertIt's a great day for passengers and a great day for UK railways Transport Secretary Lord Adonis On board with our transport expert
Southeastern has said the new fares "offer value for money for passengers".Southeastern has said the new fares "offer value for money for passengers".
Charles Horton, the train company's managing director, said the service was "great news for the people of Kent and south-east England".Charles Horton, the train company's managing director, said the service was "great news for the people of Kent and south-east England".
The preview service will include three morning peak services from Ashford to St Pancras and three return services in the evening rush-hour. There will also be six morning services between Ebbsfleet to St Pancras and six in the evening.The preview service will include three morning peak services from Ashford to St Pancras and three return services in the evening rush-hour. There will also be six morning services between Ebbsfleet to St Pancras and six in the evening.
The full schedule when launched in December will offer 200 services a day provided by a total of 29 Javelin trains. The full schedule when launched in December will offer 200 services a day provided by a total of 29 trains.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, who arrived at St Pancras to join the train on Thursday morning, said the high-speed trains were the "future of the railways". Using the High Speed 1 line will mean that journeys that currently take over an hour and a half to London will be shorter.
Canterbury to London will be 59 minutes, with Folkestone 57 minutes and Ramsgate 80 minutes.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, who travelled on the test-run, said the high-speed trains were the "future of the railways".
"Here we have a 140mph train replacing Victorian infrastructure which can't cope with the pressures."Here we have a 140mph train replacing Victorian infrastructure which can't cope with the pressures.
"It will offer the best service in to London from the Kent coast and the Medway towns. It's a great day for passengers and a great day for UK railways.""It will offer the best service in to London from the Kent coast and the Medway towns. It's a great day for passengers and a great day for UK railways."
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Javelin high speed train pulls out of St Pancras The 'Javelin' high speed train pulls out of St Pancras