Class 395 Javelin - Opinions

ValleyLines142 · 20 Dec 2017

Will be getting a 395 from Ashford to St Pancras early next month for the first time.

Just wondered what everyone's opinions on the 395s are? I've seen pictures of the interior online, looks basic yet effective for the relatively short journey times they are used for.

Thankings.

RailUK Forums

GatwickDepress · 20 Dec 2017

Basic yet effective pretty much hits the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned. Some people make the mistake of expecting it to have InterCity levels of comfort and facilities.

They've got a decent mix of airline and table seating, the seats themselves are fairly comfortable to my fussy backside, and the power socket provision is much appreciated by regular passengers. My only gripe with them is that the air conditioning is a little too effective sometimes. Even shivered once or twice.

urpert · 20 Dec 2017

The seats are unique on U.K. stock and I really like them (though they are fading a bit).

Like the 800s, they are not particularly flashy but feel very well screwed together. Great units IMO.

TheAlbanach_ · 20 Dec 2017

I really like them actually, found them really comfortable and I like the design of them. Took trips out to Ashford and Canterbury from London with them. Was strange though being on a commuter type train and going faster than the intercity one I had just been on!

class387 · 20 Dec 2017

I like them. Better than the 800s in my opinion. My only complaint is the lack of armrests and windows on some seats because of sliding door pockets - does anyone know why they chose not to use plug doors?

swt_passenger · 20 Dec 2017

class387 said:
I like them. Better than the 800s in my opinion. My only complaint is the lack of armrests and windows on some seats because of sliding door pockets - does anyone know why they chose not to use plug doors?

They wanted to use their existing technology, thought by them to be more reliable and faster to operate..

Islineclear3_1 · 20 Dec 2017

I prefer them over the domestic 375's and they are good, smooth runners. Certainly fit for purpose. One downside is the over-excitability of the air-con, my most recent experience last week made me think that the train thought it was summer as the carriage was freezing. Also, the guard/train manager did not walk through the entire train (I was in the front 6 and never saw him)

Bletchleyite · 20 Dec 2017

I like them. They are very reminiscent of the 350/1 interior to me.

HSTEd · 20 Dec 2017

They appear, and are, generic commuter units that just happen to get very quickly.

class387 · 20 Dec 2017

urpert said:
The seats are unique on U.K. stock and I really like them (though they are fading a bit).

Which are the seats used in the 395? Is it a Japanese seat type or something as I have never seen it used anywhere else? I agree that they are very comfortable though.

Kite159 · 20 Dec 2017

robert7111a said:
I prefer them over the domestic 375's and they are good, smooth runners. Certainly fit for purpose. One downside is the over-excitability of the air-con, my most recent experience last week made me think that the train thought it was summer as the carriage was freezing. Also, the guard/train manager did not walk through the entire train (I was in the front 6 and never saw him)

When it be a pair of units, the Train Manager has to remain in the rear unit due to no gangway.

Anyhow can't beat a good of 395 speed on HS1 (unless you pay for Eurostar)

Mikey C · 20 Dec 2017

They do a decent job, nothing special inside, but 140 mph, whoosh!

samuelmorris · 20 Dec 2017

Possibly my favourite unit on the UK network now that I think about it. A good 2+2 interior layout with firm but comfortable seats (nothing like as hard as modern units) with high backs, good distribution of toilets, smooth and quiet (though they would be on HS1), very good acceleration even without considering their high top speed, PIS seems pretty reliable and I haven't seen that many faults with the units themselves. They also have a fairly high quality fit and finish. I imagine they must have cost an absolute fortune but they really are excellent units.

simple simon · 20 Dec 2017

I've only been on them twice (two return trips / four journeys) and everytime I found the seats so uncomfortable that to avoid back pain I had to stand.

Apart from that they are OK.

I wish more trains here in the UK travelled at their top speed - the electric trains on both the ECML and the WCML were designed for 140mph, its such a shame they are muzzled at 125mph.

TT-ONR-NRN · 20 Dec 2017

No first class

No armrest between seats

I feel bored on them because I see the Eurostars whilst riding and think “wow I wish I was on one of those instead”

I like the announcement jingle

They are faster than grotty Networkers

They look cool

Good to ride when at top speed

D365 · 20 Dec 2017

If the Class 385 is as good as the 395 internally, I wouldn't mind seeing more of the AT200s at all.

samuelmorris · 20 Dec 2017

There are seatback tables are there not? There's an armrest for the aisle passenger, and a somewhat suitable lip for the window passenger. Considering this is standard class, that's pretty good, especially for commuter units, not really long-distance expresses.

D365 · 20 Dec 2017

samuelmorris said:
Considering this is standard class, that's pretty good, especially for commuter units...

If tickets on HS1 were only sold as "First Class" anyway would TT-ORN-NRN really notice a difference?

TT-ONR-NRN · 20 Dec 2017

D365 said:
would TT-ORN-NRN really notice a difference?

No such user
Z

samuelmorris · 20 Dec 2017

Given the premium over regular SE fares, technically that's what HS1 fares are by default...

D365 · 20 Dec 2017

samuelmorris said:
Given the premium over regular SE fares, technically that's what HS1 fares are by default...

Exactly - it's only standard class by default.

Bletchleyite · 21 Dec 2017

TT-ONR-NRN said:
No first class

To be fair if it was a 350/1 Standard is superior anyway.

LunchSociety · 21 Dec 2017

samuelmorris said:
Possibly my favourite unit on the UK network now that I think about it. A good 2+2 interior layout with firm but comfortable seats (nothing like as hard as modern units) with high backs, good distribution of toilets, smooth and quiet (though they would be on HS1), very good acceleration even without considering their high top speed, PIS seems pretty reliable and I haven't seen that many faults with the units themselves. They also have a fairly high quality fit and finish. I imagine they must have cost an absolute fortune but they really are excellent units.

As these are the units I use most often, on both the HS1 and the 3rd rail network, I agree wholeheartedly with this. They are superb units.

superalbs · 21 Dec 2017

TT-ONR-NRN said:
No armrest between seats

Only some.

TT-ONR-NRN · 21 Dec 2017

superalbs said:
Only some.

I said between!

samuelmorris · 21 Dec 2017

Those are between, but presumably only for the table seats.

superalbs · 21 Dec 2017

TT-ONR-NRN said:
I said between!

What's this then?

GW43125 · 21 Dec 2017

TT-ONR-NRN said:
No first class
No armrest between seats
I feel bored on them because I see the Eurostars whilst riding and think “wow I wish I was on one of those instead”

You're on them for about an hour. Not really enough time for it to be too much of an issue.

Parallel · 21 Dec 2017

I like them, though I have only ever used them once. Basic but effective.

TT-ONR-NRN · 21 Dec 2017

superalbs said:
View attachment 40716
What's this then?

Oh, ok.

Class 395 Javelin - Opinions

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