THE first of the 140mph bullet trains that will whisk people from central London to the site of the 2012 Olympic Games was loaded on to the tracks in Southampton docks.

Promised to slash journey times, the train, the first of 30 ordered, is a version of Japan's famed high-speed Shinkansen Bullet Train, complete with trademark sloping nose. It is shown being lowered on to the tracks right.

They will run on services between London and Kent on the new Channel Tunnel rail link and will also provide shuttle trains during the 2012 London Olympics.

At 140mph, the trains will be the fastest in the country, but will still be far slower than their Japanese bullet counterparts that can reach speeds of 185mph.

Made by Japanese engineering giant Hitachi at an estimated cost of £200m, the trains will run between London King's Cross and Ashford in 36 minutes.

However, with the faster journey times come higher fares, possibly as much as 35 per cent higher.

Built near Hiroshima in Japan, they were shipped into Southampton by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics in pieces before being assembled in the docks ready for the maiden trip.