Anyone been on a Javelin?

[ACL]

Thanks for the pics and the info. Glad to see there are some racks and some overhead storgage. We will be traveling off-peak so it looks and sounds like we will have enough room.

I think I'll like riding on the Javelin more than the ship.

 

[Vulcan]

Been on a couple of 395s now and very impressed with them, please can we have them on the WCML?, because I despise Pendolinos with a passion and try to avoid travelling on them.

The new High Speed service is great for getting to Kent for those of us who live north of London, no messing about with the underground to get south of the river

A 395 on the WCML would be very boring, It certainly wouldn't be able to do 140, and not even 125mph since it can't tilt into the corners. Pendolinos, despite their layout problems, really are on top of their game for express passenger trains on the WCML.

Vulcan, there is no problem with photos at St Pancras as long as you don't use flash and let them know at the barrier.

I'll bear this in mind next time, but I still don't like to risk it too much.

 

[33056]

I've said it before but that's an enthusiasts view, the average commuter would not avoid a train like that. It's like me catching a London Midland service from BHI-EUS instead of a Virgin Trains service, not gonna happen since the journey time is vastly longer in comparison

It is not just me being blinkered, there are a number of modern trains that I actually like travelling on, but I will always get a 350 in preference to a pendo unless there is no other option or I am pushed for time.

One of my non-crank work colleagues hates them as well, unfortunately he has no other option except to use them for his commuting.

 

[j0hn0]

tried the 395s on the preview service and I loved them.

points I noted

- amazing acceleration, really feels as if the train has more to give than 140mph
- lots of leg room, large doors, some table seats have no window at all though as they are where the door opens, bad design IMO

Other than that I think that they are the best looking train on the network, really bulky looking and hi vis yellow of course goes with blue really well.

I am still firmly in the Pendo camp though. What they can do over that crappy track, all day every day is truly impressive

 

[313103]

You really should if you get the chance mate. Just to experience it, especially from Carlisle to Glasgow.

I have no reason to use the javelin and i have only used a pendolino once since there introduction and that was only because my fare was being paid for and it was only to Birmingham, such is the price of football nowadays i very rarely travel by train. However i will be going to Blackpool in August! The last time i went to Blackpool my haulage from Euston was a class 87 and mk3 coaches in inter city swallow livery. My haulage from Preston was a class 156 (i think) in Regional railways livery. I only went there because Routemaster buses were still being used by Blackpool Transport. 1987!

 

[j0hn0]

some of my pics

 

[Geezertronic]

It is not just me being blinkered, there are a number of modern trains that I actually like travelling on, but I will always get a 350 in preference to a pendo unless there is no other option or I am pushed for time.

One of my non-crank work colleagues hates them as well, unfortunately he has no other option except to use them for his commuting.

I understand people prefer certain types of trains over others for varying reasons, and I guess my commuting is the same as your colleagues whereby the LM 350s would be too slow to fit into my time schedule. The 0720 VT service I catch to Euston (from BHI) gets me to Euston at 0830, if I wanted a LM service to arrive at a similar time I would either have to catch the 0605 (arrives 0802) or the 0645 (arrives 0839 with a change at Northampton)

No offence meant, but I can't get my head around people who would deliberately take a longer journey in preference over a quicker one just because of the train type. If it was because of cost, I could understand

 

[Vulcan]

some of my pics

Don't the Eurostars look very tired in comparison to the Javelins? I know they're getting a refurb soon, but boy do they need it.

 

[Ivo]

Does anyone else agree that two Javelins coupled together looks a bit odd, presumably because the nose is so long?

 

[33056]

No offence meant, but I can't get my head around people who would deliberately take a longer journey in preference over a quicker one just because of the train type. If it was because of cost, I could understand

The reason I avoid pendos is that they can make me slightly travel sick, not enough to be physically ill, but enough to feel uncomfortable. Cost isn't a factor as I rarely pay for travel (got enough "boxes" to cover most of my requirements ). Another factor is that, unless going a long distance, it is often just as easy for me to use LM due to the fact that not so many trains stop at Watford or Milton Keynes these days.

 

[Geezertronic]

I only tend to feel queezy when travelling in the lead coach (I always get a seat in Coach A as it is the Standard Quiet coach). There's nothing like being bashed around on the bumpy WCML South

 

[Templecombe]

Don't you have to pay extra to travel on them /

 

[jopsuk]

No. Tickets via "Not HS1" to/from london are cheaper, but not hugely so (especially for individual journies- a recent one it was 50p less on a return ticket!), but "Not HS1" fares don't exist for all journies (espeically many starting well north or west of London). Plus, once they're off HS1, they count as "normal" trains, just a bit sleeker looking than the Electrostars and Networkers that form the the "classic" services.

 

[j0hn0]

Don't the Eurostars look very tired in comparison to the Javelins? I know they're getting a refurb soon, but boy do they need it.

very much so, eurostars look really tired, some of the coaches have rust on them too.

same with the interior, which I believe is being redone by pininfarina

 

[Vulcan]

very much so, eurostars look really tired, some of the coaches have rust on them too.

same with the interior, which I believe is being redone by pininfarina

I believe they are also designing a new livery for them as well. Should be good, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with.
I also noticed the rust on some of them. However, how many other 16 year old vehicles have survived until now without developing a touch of rust here and there? My dad's Range Rover certainly hasn't!

 

[ralphwedgewood]

I had a trip from Stratford International to Dover and return last week. I can handle the grey interior (it won’t date) but was a little disappointed with the riding between Stratford and the tunnel portal near Dagenham. Quite a bit of lateral vibration, reminiscent of the mark 4’s when they were new. Certainly nowhere near as good as a Eurostar. Felt as though those dampers were screwed down really tight and the bogies could only rotate reluctantly. Bit surprising really, considering the Japanese bullet train technology underneath. Oh, and everything ran to time – now that is Japanese!

 

[jon0844]

It seems hard to imagine how it couldn't run to time given the recovery time I think services get. That and few stations along HS1 mean very little chances to delay things at stations either.

 

[pablo]

Yeh. The Faversham service is almost lackadaysickal. And, if an Jav gets caught behind a Mainline train sneaking in ahead, after Ebbsfleet, it becomes a stopper in all but name. Seems that the oportunity at the May timetable revamp didn't get used.

 

[Elec_Engr]

Used the Javelin for the first time the other day - Really impressed with the speed and acceleration of it. This is what all domestic services should be like. Downside was a noticeable lateral movement in lead carriage but aware that Hitachi engineers are looking at a fix. Slightly surprised to note lack of WiFi provision as service is marketed as a premium one. All said and done looking forward to using it again on the 30th down to Dover.

 

[Aictos]

I used the 395s when rail staff from companies working out of St Pancras Int were invited to take part in the test services, I will say they certainly impressed me, from the cab to the seats to the toilets everything was wow factor.

 

[CosherB]

I want to visit the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch railway this year. I'll get a Pendo down to London, then I'd like to get a Javelin from St Pancras. Where would I book to - Ashford Int or Folkstone? How can I ensure my ticket is for HS1 and not via the ordinary rail lines?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Buy the ticket at St Pancras - and if you just want a fast spin get a ticket to Ashford and back - the return working a few minutes later will be from the same platform, so nice and easy.

Of course, if you want to visit the RHDR as well then yes, Folkestone...

 

[Hydro]

They're really nice units, fast and quiet. They are basically just 140mph commuter trains, but they have a fair selection of tables, good leg room and the seats are fairly good too. They absolutely fly when accelerating off 25kv, but they're no slouch off 750DC either. The downsides are the lateral vibration in the tunnels, but I've heard there are moves afoot to cure this. It's been quite bad on a few trips I've had.

 

[CosherB]

Buy the ticket at St Pancras - and if you just want a fast spin get a ticket to Ashford and back - the return working a few minutes later will be from the same platform, so nice and easy.

Of course, if you want to visit the RHDR as well then yes, Folkestone...

Thanks Peter. What's the best way to get from Folkstone to the RHDR at Hyth?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I believe there is a bus link but it might be seasonal. It sounds as if you'll be on restricted time, so a taxi might be your best bet.

Also... I suspect if you're travelling outside the peak holiday season you might need to plan the RHDR element carefully as fewer trains will run, and I guess you'll want to do the whole track to Dungeness while you are there, so I'd start by looking at the RHDR timetable and work backwards from that.

 

[paul1609]

Thanks Peter. What's the best way to get from Folkstone to the RHDR at Hyth?

You need to walk to Folkestone Town Centre (about 10 mins walk) and then there are frequent buses to Hythe that either stop outside the station or nearby on Dymchurch Road (about 5 mins walk).

Alternatively if you want to sample the Marshlink line as well New Romney is in the Rye Plus Bus area. Bus 101/2 leaves from outside Rye Station about hourly towards Folkestone. Alight outside Sainsburys in New Romney. The RHDR station is about 10 mins walk (signposted) past the Marsh Academy School. Rye has ample of interest if you need to wait either for the bus or train and theres a private cafe at the station.

As others have said you need to plan your visit very carefully to do the whole length of the line especially outside the school holidays.

Ive been planning to do a UKrail meet for one of their enthusiast days but I always seem to be working.

 

[The Barlow Boy]

Some pictures

I wasn't sure if photos are allowed in St Pancras, but I took one anyway. I travelled on the near unit.

My return Javelin aproaching Ashford.

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No complaints about the layout, just couldn't they have made it look and feel a more exciting place to be? All very bland IMO.
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...and legroom is the best I've seen in a long time.

...but all that grey painted metal....

Why shouldn't they?

 

[junglejames]

I want to visit the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch railway this year. I'll get a Pendo down to London, then I'd like to get a Javelin from St Pancras. Where would I book to - Ashford Int or Folkstone? How can I ensure my ticket is for HS1 and not via the ordinary rail lines?

To ensure its for HS1, ask for a high speed ticket.
Where are you travelling from? If its the other side of London, then the High Speed service is automatically included in the normal fare.

As for the RHDR. Do you want to change trains?
The closest station to Hythe is Sandling, but you would have to change at Ashford onto a 375. Its only 12mins from Ashford. Saves you about 30mins over the current classic services, even with changing at Ashford.
You can get a taxi from Sandling, but would have to call ahead to the local taxi firm, or there should be buses from Sandling down into Hythe. Takes about 5mins in a taxi.

If you go onto Folkestone, then its about a 10min walk to the bus station (depending on how fast you walk), then a 20-25min bus journey into Hythe. From Folkestone the no. 10 will drop you off right outside the RHDR. They are every hour. The no. 12 will drop you off just down from the RHDR.
With the 3 bus routes that go from Folkestone to Hythe, you should get one at least every 25 to 30 mins. They all go the same route between Folkestone and Hythe.

To be honest, the easiest option is going to Sandling, then getting a taxi.
Its a little over 1hr from St Pancras to Sandling, changing at Ashford. Then another 5 to 10mins into Hythe.

If you go onto Folkestone, then give yourself an hour to get from Folkestone station to Hythe.
Definitely quicker via Sandling as well.
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As for my opinions on the Javelin.
Impressive acceleration. Not very brilliant ride. Rough at times, shaky at others. Good legroom, but very bland interior (one of the worst), and seats that i just cannot get comfortable in.
Overall, average minus!!

I definitely would not use them as a basis for future internal designs of trains.

 

[CosherB]

Thanks to those who helped with my enquiry re HS1 to RHDR. Just to clarify, my journey will start at Wilmslow where I'll get a pendo down to Euston, then a short walk to St Pancras. I'm retired so time isn't such a problem. I intend to stay 2 nights at Hythe so I can spend a day travelleing down, a day on RHDR and anything else to see in the area, then home on the third day.

I'll definately get the Virgin Pendo ticket in advance so I'll get a good deal and be able to afford 1st (they do good fares for First Advance if booked far enough ahead). I understand there's no 1st on the Javelins, and it's only a short run anyway so not an issue, but no point buying a 1st ticket for the entire journey if only the Virgin part will actually be in 1st.

I have a bus pass so buses are free for me! So I'd rather 'bus' than 'taxi' at the Hythe end.

I've done HS1 before but it was a few years ago on Eurostar when it started at Waterloo (I went to Aix en Provence via Lille, Eurostar and TGV), so haven't done the 'new' bit of HS1 yet.

 

[Clip]

I dont mind the Javelins.. But as i have posted on here many times there are too many stops once it leaves the HS1 and on into east Kent..