Class 395

[SkinnyDave]

Reading this forum we usually get debates on Pendolinos and HSTs etc
I was wondering what members think of the 395 as I don't see it come up in conversation a lot?
Is this because its a good unit or not an exciting unit?

I have not travelled on it yet

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I'll be first to say it:

Window-seat alignment isn't the best

Decent units otherwise. Also, I remember on the mock up at Ebbsfleet before full service, the 395 carriage only had bay seats, with no tables. When did the design for that change?

 

[Antman]

I use them quite a bit, functional but nothing sensational I think sums it up.

 

[rebmcr]

I think it doesn't come up a lot because the route where they are used has a much smaller proportion of people who have a need to use it.

 

[Techniquest]

I love 'em,fantastic little beasts for getting a proper feel for the high speed on HS1 Find them comfortable too and love the accleration and air conditioning on them.Really need to get down there again and get on some again!

 

[Bob Ames]

I have not travelled on it yet

Says it all really. I think many bashers who don't live in the South East would say the same thing.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Says it all really. I think many bashers who don't live in the South East would say the same thing.

I'm just interested as mentioned I don't see it coming up either positives or negatives like other classes.
I will be using IEP a lot when they come on line and 395 being Hitachi built, my nose is bothering me

 

[asylumxl]

I find them to be perfectly good trains with a reasonably comfortable interior. They had issues with yaw when first introduced, but this has been reduced with the introduction of new yaw dampers.

It seems to me like they got to stretch their legs more during the "preview" services though, especially considering they didn't stop at Stratford International.

 

[bronzeonion]

Excellent trains, I'm actually looking forward to IEP as looking at it, it seems a pretty sensible design and because its Hitachi it won't be bad

 

[TheJRB]

I use the Javelins about twice a month and I've travelled more on 395s than any other class of train.

Here's my pros and cons list:

Pros

• Comfortable seats (more than good enough for the journey times)
• Speed and acceleration (obviously)
• Good air conditioning
• Suitable balance of table and "airline" style seating
• Plug sockets throughout
• Generally smooth ride quality on both HS1 and traditional lines

Cons

• Rather harsh lighting
• Heating isn't the best in the winter
• The two toilets are in the end carriages meaning long walks from centre carriages
• Jerky ride in places (especially in tunnels) but this seems to have improved
• Doors take a while to release (side effect of the sealing technology)
• The single leaf doors don't lend themselves terribly well to fast ingress or egress

Personally, I love the units and despite using them so much, I still find a ride on a Javelin quite an experience. If you want to properly enjoy them at full speed, you have to travel on the stretch between Ebbsfleet and Ashford.
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Excellent trains, I'm actually looking forward to IEP as looking at it, it seems a pretty sensible design and because its Hitachi it won't be bad

I agree. The Javelins give me a good level of faith in Hitachi.

 

[bronzeonion]

I agree. The Javelins give me a good level of faith in Hitachi.

What gives me faith in Hitachi is how after traveling on alot of the 'domestic fleet' and then traveling on Class 395's and spotting the similarities shows they'll offer the same standard of high build quality, reliability and great design here.

 

[anthony263]

The problem with IEP is that people dont like the PFI deal and are skeptical about Hitachi keeping their new factory open or even will there be that many skilled jobs there.

Another concern with IEP is really more to do with the bi-mode version since the engines are supposed to be quiete big so people still want to know how they intend to fit them under the unit.

Still Hitachi are supposed to be unveiling their mock up this september. I have had brief rides on the class 395's and I do admit they are very good at accelerating although as many have said the liighting can do your head in

 

[pablo]

I use them twice a week. They're fine.
Wish the WCML could use them but they would need more luggage provision then.

 

[starrymarkb]

Says it all really. I think many bashers who don't live in the South East would say the same thing.

Pretty much! - Though I tend to travel more for things rather then just for the train and have had no reason to visit Kent, I have seen them from an E* but that's all

 

[Muzer]

I went on it once, when it was running the (incredibly well hidden!!) Javelin service, in this case going from St. Pancras to Stratford International.

So I barely had a chance to appreciate it, but my impressions were the seats weren't too bad (though still not the best), and in general they were quite nice trains.

 

[159220]

Still Hitachi are supposed to be unveiling their mock up this september. I have had brief rides on the class 395's and I do admit they are very good at accelerating although as many have said the liighting can do your head in

Do you have any more information about the mock up, certainly looking forward to seeing this as the computer model looks brilliant!

(I not the Hitachi Rail site still says the first pre-series train shall be in the UK in 2014 for testing)

The 395s are great trains to ride on, bring on the Super Express Train (IEP)!

 

[anthony263]

The information comes from the IEP thread over on Wnxx and the mention of the mock up came from Tony Miles who works for Modern Railways magazine so is in the know.

 

[junglejames]

The 395. What can I say? Am I the only one that doesnt like them? Everyone seems to think they have been well built. Thats not something i have ever thought. Admittedly the ride quality has dramatically improved now, but the interior has always had a lot of rattles and squeaks. As the months and years have gone on, these rattles have gradually increased.
Its now come to a head, and the 2 I was on the other day, made a voyager look good. Rattles and squeaks galore. You complain about Bombardier stock. Well you could now put Hitachi at a lower level than Bombardier.
To add on top of that:
Horrible seats that I just cannot get used to
Very noisy motors
A lot of wind noise through the doors. A very poor design of door.

Its one of the worst commuter EMUs we have in the UK, which just happens to go faster than others.
Its only good thing is the good AC. Not sure what use the sockets are on such a unit, but they are a good touch also.