Southeastern and model railway icon Hornby came together at Margate station on Tuesday to unveil a specially liveried Class 395 ‘Javelin’ high-speed train to mark Railway 200 – the UK-wide celebration of 200 years of passenger rail travel.
Unit 395015 became the first in the fleet to receive Southeastern’s new highspeed livery and the only one to feature a bespoke Railway 200 design. The livery highlights landmarks and destinations served by Southeastern’s high-speed services, including the Turner Contemporary in Margate, St Pancras International, Dover’s White Cliffs, and Rochester Castle.
The reveal took place at Margate station, just a stone’s throw from Hornby’s headquarters. In a neat nod to the partnership, Hornby has also released a new model of the 395 in its commemorative livery, allowing enthusiasts to bring the celebration to their own layouts.
Since its introduction in 2009, Southeastern’s high-speed service has recorded over 177 million passenger journeys, including more than 15 million in the last year alone – a post-pandemic high. The route has become a vital link between Kent and London, supporting economic growth and increasing access to employment and leisure.
Alicia Andrews, Commercial Director at Southeastern, said:
“We want to celebrate the transformative effect rail investment can bring by connecting people with employment, housing, education and opportunities. We’re proud to showcase the landmarks and communities that have benefited from our high-speed connections.”
Hornby’s Managing Director, Martyn Weaver, added:
“The Railway 200 livery is a striking tribute to this milestone, and it’s exciting to see it recreated both on the full-size Class 395 and in model form.”
Passengers can find out where the real-life Railway 200 train is operating each day by messaging Southeastern on WhatsApp with #395015.
