Southeastern high speed train interiors

The Hitachi Class 395 Javelin trains, first introduced in 2009 and run by Southeastern between London St Pancras and Kent, are scheduled for an interior refresh to future-proof Southeastern’s flagship high-speed service as part of a £27 million upgrade programme.

Working closely with Hitachi Rail, Eversholt Rail and Southeastern, DCA was tasked with redesigning the interiors for maximum impact without structural modifications or major reconfigurations. The significant upgrades to the interior include redesigned seat cushion profiles and fabrics, replacement of the current lighting system with energy efficient LED lighting, new carpets and hard floors, and refurbished toilets.

These changes will provide a real step improvement in passenger perceptions and align the train interior with Southeastern’s latest brand values. In addition, a crucial part of the design process was to improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility and meet the latest standards, including accommodating the latest best practice on neurodiversity.

The trains are currently in development, with DCA providing the design specification for the colour, material and finish (CMF), detailing the materials and interior graphics. The first refurbished train from a fleet of 29 will leave the Ashford Depot in March 2023.