The trains, to be launched in December, 2009, are the fastest domestic trains in Britain and will slash current journey times into London from Kent by as much as half.

Southeastern is asking the public to name the first 12 of these trains after British sporting legends.

 

The first train has already been named after Dame Kelly Holmes, the 2004 Olympic 800 and 1500 metres champion, from Hildenborough.
 
Backley, who won Olympic silver medals at Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000 and a bronze at Barcelona in 1992, said:  “I couldn’t help but be awestruck by the cutting-edge technology.

“When you think these trains can travel at twice the speed of an Olympic winning javelin throw, then it’s easy to see how this is a huge leap forward for everyone who travels by train in the South East.

“Who would I vote for?

 

"Well, there is the man who won gold in five successive Olympics, Sir Steve Redgrave, or there are champions of Beijing 2008 like swimming phenomenon Rebecca Adlington and triple gold-medallist Chris Hoy - there is certainly no shortage of choices.
 
“And of course we must include greats such as Sebastian Coe, Daley Thompson and Dame Tani-Grey Thompson.

 

"I am sure everyone will have their own all time greatest.

 

"That is why I am delighted that the public have the opportunity to name the new fleet of trains after Britain's all-time great Olympians.

 

"I am sure it will create a huge debate among rail travellers as this country has produced so many great Olympians and Paralympians across so many different sports."

 

The fleet of 29 new trains travel at up to 140 miles per hour and will cut the journey time from Ashford to London by well over half, from 83 minutes to just 37 minutes.

 

They will all be up and running well ahead of London 2012.

 

Backley said: "I think back to Sydney 2000 and how everyone arrived at the Olympic Park by train.

 

"London 2012 will be the same with direct links to the new Stratford station from not only Kent and the South East but from Europe."
 
The general public can vote online for the other 11 nameplates at www.southeastern2009.co.uk. 

 

All voters will be entered into a prize draw to win a 2009 annual season ticket on the Southeastern network.