Southeastern to bring maintenance of Class 395 'Javelins' in house

Southeastern is to bring maintenance of its Class 395 ‘Javelin’ fleet in-house after a new deal with manufacturer Hitachi was agreed.

The fleet of 29 six-car units has been maintained at Ashford since their introduction in 2009.

As part of the new contract, which begins on January 12 2025, a number of Hitachi Rail staff will transfer to Southeastern, while the manufacturer will continue to provide technical support and spares.

Southeastern says the contract will reduce maintenance costs, with the ‘395s’ its only fleet not maintained ‘in house’ until now.

The new deal come mid-way through a £27 million refurbishment which has now passed the halfway mark. The final unit is due to enter service next spring, before a programme to replace the livery and upgrade onboard customer information begins.