It has been announced that the bullet train is set to go into operation December 2009 and has a recorded journey time of just 32 minutes from Ashford to London. Now that’s fast. The Hitachi locomotive was put on a test run between the International Station and St Pancras in the capital when it clocked in the time five minutes less than operator South-eastern Rail has predicted for the passenger service. The rest included acceleration, performance and breaking on the Japanese built Class 395 Javelin and is set to become the flagship of the company with a 140mph maximum speed.

It is said that around 100 drivers are currently undertaking the training necessary to operate the services. The drivers have told the management that they are pleased about how efficient the equipment is and how quiet the ride is and comfortable the cabs are.

A South-eastern spokesman said that “We are very pleased with the tests and confident the performance can be reproduced when full operations commence. This was a test however and when the service starts we shall have to take into account things such as passengers getting on and off as well as other services on the track and a greater number of the high speed trains themselves. This will mean the journey time of 37 minutes rather than 32 will be closer to the norm.”

Will you be using the service?

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