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FOLKESTONE'S BULLET TRAIN UNVEILED

The Javelin 140mph train

The new 140mph Javelin bullet trains which will link major Kent towns including, Folkestone with London were unveiled today. 

A display model of one of the 28 six-carriage trains was shown off by Southeastern at Ashford station today (23 June).

The Japanese-built models each cost £6m and from 2009 will run between Ashford in Kent and King's Cross in 36 minutes, slashing 40 minutes off the current journey time. 

A fleet of trains will be in service in three years. They have 354 seats but no first-class accommodation and no tables.

London to Canterbury journeys will drop from 102 minutes to an hour, while London to Folkestone will come down from 98 minutes to 62 minutes. 

The promise of high speed trains was seen as key in landing the London Games. But consumer groups warned the cost of tickets, which could rise by as much as 70% to pay for the service, may prove too much for travellers.