British Rail Class 220

Last updated

British Rail Class 220
Voyager
Hugh llewelyn 220 002 (6701873995).jpg
CrossCountry Class 220 in 2010
220001 Standard Class Interior.jpg
Standard Class interior
In service2001–present
Manufacturer Bombardier Transportation
Built at
Family name Voyager
Replaced
Constructed2000–2001
Number built34
Formation4 cars per unit
Fleet numbers220001–220034
Capacity174 standard class, 26 first class
Owner(s) Beacon Rail [1]
Operator(s) CrossCountry
Specifications
Car body construction Steel
Car length23.85 m (78 ft 3 in) (driving cars) or 22.82 m (74 ft 10 in) (intermediate cars)
Width2.73 m (8 ft 11 in)
Wheel diameter780–716 mm (30.7–28.2 in) (maximum–minimum) [2]
Wheelbase Bogies: 2.250 m (7 ft 4.6 in) [3]
Maximum speed125 mph (200 km/h)
Weight185.6  t (182.7 long tons; 204.6 short tons) per unit
Traction systemOne per car, Alstom alternator, 750v asynchronous ONIX IGBT drive with AGATE traction control, asynchronous traction motors (2 per car)
Prime mover(s) 4 × Cummins QSK19-R [4] (one per car)
Engine type Inline-6 turbo-diesel [5]
Displacement 19 L (1,159 cu in) per engine [5]
Power output
  • 559 kW (750 hp) per engine at 1,800 rpm
  • 350 kW (470 hp) per traction motor [3]
TransmissionDiesel-electric
UIC classification 1A′A1′+1A′A1′+1A′A1′+1A′A1′ [3] [6]
Bogies Bombardier B5005 [3]
Braking system(s) Rheostatic and electro-pneumatic
Safety system(s) AWS, TPWS
Coupling system Dellner 12 [7]
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 220 Voyager is a class of diesel-electric high-speed multiple unit passenger trains built in Belgium by Bombardier Transportation in 2000 and 2001. They were introduced in 2001 to replace the 20-year-old InterCity 125 and almost 40-year-old Class 47-hauled Mark 2 fleets operating on the Cross Country Route. They were initially operated by Virgin CrossCountry and since 2007 have been operated by CrossCountry. [8]

Contents

Technical details

Classes 220 (left) and 221 (right) at Durham, showing the differing bogie designs Trains 2 054.JPG
Classes 220 (left) and 221 (right) at Durham, showing the differing bogie designs

All coaches are equipped with a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine of 559  kW (750  hp ) at 1,800  rpm. These power a generator which supplies current to motors driving two axles per coach, [9] with one axle per bogie powered. [2] [10]

Voyagers have both air and rheostatic brakes. They are fitted with Dellner couplers, like the Class 222 operated by East Midlands Railway and the Class 390 Pendolino electric trains used by Avanti West Coast, meaning they can be coupled in rescue/recovery mode (air brake only) in the event of a failure. 220s and 221s can also be easily assisted by Dellner fitted Class 57s (Thunderbirds) in the event of a failure. By use of adaptor couplings a failed 220 or 221 can also be assisted by any air braked locomotive such as a Class 37, Class 47 or Class 66 or even an HST.

The Class 220s and closely related Class 222s have B5005 bogies, [3] [2] which are distinctive as they are of inside-frame design and so the axles are supported by bearings behind the wheels, meaning the outside face of the wheel is visible. The related tilting Class 221 Super Voyager has outside-frame bogies and hence a more conventional appearance.

The Class 220s operate in four-coach sets with a carriage mass of between 45 and 48 tonnes and a total train weight of 185.6 tonnes, a top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h), and a maximum range of approximately 1,350 miles (2,170 km) between each refuelling. Their route availability is very good being RA 2 [9] - in part due to the lightweight bogie design.

Class 220 units are fitted with an AB Hoses variable rate sanding system.

All Voyagers are maintained at the dedicated Central Rivers TMD near Burton-on-Trent.

Accidents and incidents

Units have sometimes been stopped by salt water, when storm-driven waves broke over the train at Dawlish in south Devon and inundated the resistor banks, causing the control software to shut down. [11] This problem was fixed by an upgrade to the control software. [12]

There were a number of exhaust fires on the Voyager class during 2005–2006 due to incorrect fitting of equipment during overhauls. Fires occurred at Starcross (Class 221), Newcastle, and on 19 January 2006 at Congleton. [13]

On 26 May 2006, a passenger was murdered aboard unit 220005 as it approached Oxenholme whilst working the Glasgow to Paignton service. [14]

On 14 March 2008, unit 220012, forming a service to Derby, had a roof fire at Banbury. [15] [16] This fire was caused by a bird getting caught under one of the hot brake resistors on the roof of the train. Damage to the train was not serious and it was repaired and returned to service.

Formation and passenger facilities

First Class interior 220001 First Class Interior.jpg
First Class interior

Class 220s operate in four-coach sets. These trains, unlike the older trains they replaced, feature electronic information displays on the exterior walls showing the train number, the departure time, the coach, the train's destination, and the next station. This is also a feature of the Class 221 and Class 222 trains (the Class 390 trains also have such electronic information displays, but in the doors). They are air-conditioned throughout, with powered doors. The coaches are fitted with power sockets for laptop computers and mobile phone charging. Toilet facilities for disabled people and storage facilities for bicycles are provided.

They provide 26 seats in 2+1 formation in first class and 174 seats in 2+2 formation in standard class.

The formation of a four-car Class 220 is as follows: [4]

There is no coach B on the four-car class 220; it exists on the five-car Class 221 and is usually a coach which holds no reservations. This aids short-term fleet changes, for example if a Class 220 is running in a diagram that usually has a Class 221, then the loss of a coach will not affect the reservation system, as they will all still be allocated.

CrossCountry has finished updating the interior layout of all its 220 and 221 sets. The interior renovation involved the removal of the shop from coach D and the conversion of the stowage area in coach F to a catering storage area where there is now a fridge, food storage, and a space for an on-board trolley to be stored. Bicycle storage has been moved to coach D where the shop was. It can now store three bicycles instead of four. The aim is to increase seating capacity, in line with its commitments to the franchise agreements, as well as to provide an at-seat trolley service for refreshments instead of a shop. Research had shown that the shop was not making as good a turnover as hoped because people prefer not to leave their seats to get refreshments; they feared either losing their seat or having their belongings stolen when away.

Operations

Class 220 New Dawn in 2001 5300455160 770b10a0cf Steve Jones.jpg
Class 220 New Dawn in 2001
CrossCountry Class 220 near Dawlish in 2009 Dawlish Warren MMB 07 South Devon Main Line 220032.jpg
CrossCountry Class 220 near Dawlish in 2009

All units are owned by Beacon Rail, after they were purchased from Voyager Rail Leasing, [17] a consortium of Lloyds Banking Group and Angel Trains. [18] They are leased to the train operating companies; as of 2013, CrossCountry is the only operator of Class 220 units.

Virgin CrossCountry was the sole operator of Class 220 Voyager trains when they were introduced in 2001. When the Cross Country Route franchise was transferred to Arriva CrossCountry in November 2007, most of the Voyager fleet was transferred with it, and by the end of 2007 CrossCountry was the sole operator of Class 220 units.

Class 220 units often operate in multiple with Class 221 units, which are mechanically similar except for their bogies and have the same coupler type.

Fleet details

ClassOperatorNumberYear BuiltCars per SetUnit No.
220 CrossCountry 342000–014220001–034

Named units

Some units have been named; these are as follows:

On 27 July 2021, 220016 was named Voyager 20 at Central Rivers to mark two decades of fleet use. [19]

On 19 August 2021, 220009 was named Hixon at Stafford railway station to commemorate the 11 lives lost and 45 Injured in the Hixon rail crash of January 1968. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilting train</span> Type of train that can tilt in curves

A tilting train is a train that has a mechanism enabling increased speed on regular rail tracks. As a train rounds a curve at speed, objects inside the train experience centrifugal force. This can cause packages to slide about or seated passengers to feel squashed by the outboard armrest, and standing passengers to lose their balance, or in such excessive speeds, could even cause the train to derail. Tilting trains are designed to counteract this by tilting the carriages towards the inside of the curve, thus compensating for the g-force. The train may be constructed such that inertial forces cause the tilting, or it may have a computer-controlled powered mechanism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">InterCity 125</span> British high-speed diesel passenger train

The InterCity 125 (originally Inter-City 125) or High Speed Train (HST) is a diesel-powered high-speed passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited between 1975 and 1982. A total of 95 sets were produced, each comprising two Class 43 power cars, one at each end, and a rake of seven or eight Mark 3 coaches. The name is derived from its top operational speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). At times, the sets have been classified as British Rail Classes 253, 254 and 255.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 180</span> Diesel multiple unit train

The British Rail Class 180 is a class of 14 diesel-hydraulic multiple-unit passenger trains manufactured by Alstom at its Washwood Heath factory in 2000/01 for First Great Western (FGW). They are part of the Coradia 1000 family, along with the Class 175.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 185</span> British diesel passenger train

The British Rail Class 185 Desiro is a class of diesel-hydraulic multiple-unit (DHMU) passenger trains built by Siemens Transportation Systems in Germany for the train operating company First TransPennine Express. They are currently operated by TransPennine Express.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Mark 3</span> Single-level rail passenger carriage

The British Rail Mark 3 is a type of passenger carriage developed in response to growing competition from airlines and the car in the 1970s. A variant of the Mark 3 became the rolling stock for the High Speed Train (HST).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Mark 4</span> Type of British railway carriage

The British Rail Mark 4 is a class of passenger carriages built for use in InterCity 225 sets on the East Coast Main Line between King's Cross, Leeds and Edinburgh. Withdrawals began in 2019, with some being sold for further use with Transport for Wales between Cardiff and Holyhead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin CrossCountry</span> Former train operating company in Great Britain

Virgin CrossCountry was a train operating company in the United Kingdom that operated the InterCity CrossCountry passenger franchise from January 1997 until November 2007. Along with the InterCity West Coast franchise held by a separate legal entity, the company traded under the Virgin Trains brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 222</span> Diesel multiple-unit high-speed passenger train

The British Rail Class 222 Meridian is a diesel-electric multiple-unit high-speed passenger train capable of 125 mph (200 km/h). Twenty-seven sets were built by Bombardier Transportation in Bruges, Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 221</span> Bombardier diesel tilting train

The British Rail Class 221 Super Voyager is a class of tilting diesel-electric multiple unit express passenger trains built in Bruges, Belgium, by Bombardier Transportation in 2001–02.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales Endeavour railcar</span> Class of diesel multiple unit

The Endeavour Railcars are a class of diesel multiple units operated by NSW TrainLink on passenger rail services in New South Wales, Australia on the Hunter, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast lines. They are mechanically identical to the Xplorers. All 30 carriages were built by ABB's Dandenong rolling stock factory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherwell Valley line</span>

The Cherwell Valley line is the railway line between Didcot and Banbury via Oxford. It links the Great Western Main Line and the south to the Chiltern Main Line and the Midlands. The line follows the River Cherwell for much of its route between Banbury and Oxford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombardier Voyager</span> Diesel-electric multiple unit

The Bombardier Voyager is a family of high-speed 125 mph diesel-electric multiple units built in Belgium by Bombardier Transportation, for service on the railway network of the United Kingdom. Construction of the Voyager family took place between 2000 and 2005, consisting of three classes - the Class 220 Voyager, the Class 221 Super Voyager and the Class 222 Meridian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glasgow–Edinburgh via Carstairs line</span> Railway line connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh

The Glasgow–Edinburgh via Carstairs line is a main railway route which connects the Scottish cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, by means of their respective sections of the West Coast Main Line (WCML).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CrossCountry</span> Train operating company in the United Kingdom

CrossCountry is a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by Arriva UK Trains, operating the New CrossCountry franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New South Wales Xplorer</span> Class of diesel multiple unit trains

The Xplorer is a class of diesel multiple unit trains built by ABB. Initially entering service in October 1993 with CountryLink, the Xplorers are mechanically identical to the Endeavour railcars, though feature a higher level of passenger amenity. All 23 carriages were built in the Dandenong rolling stock factory. The Xplorers currently operate under NSW TrainLink, running on the regional Main North, Main Western and Main Southern lines throughout New South Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 172</span> British diesel multiple-unit (DMU) passenger train built by Bombardier Transportation

The British Rail Class 172 is a British diesel multiple unit (DMU) passenger train from the Turbostar family, built by Bombardier Transportation's Derby Litchurch Lane Works for use on inner-suburban passenger services. The class is currently operated by West Midlands Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interurban multiple unit</span>

The Interurban multiple units (IMU) are a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers Limited/Downer EDI Rail, Maryborough for Queensland Rail's Citytrain division between 1996 and 2011. The IMU is divided into in three subclasses, units 101-110 as the 100 series, units 121-124 as the 120 series, and units 161-188, as the 160 series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 700</span> Electric multiple unit in use on Thameslink

The British Rail Class 700 is an electric multiple unit passenger train from the Desiro City family built by Siemens Mobility. It is capable of operating on 25 kV 50 Hz AC from overhead wires or 750 V DC from third rail. 115 trainsets were built between 2014 and 2018, for use on the Thameslink network, as part of the Thameslink Programme in the United Kingdom. As of 2021, they are operated by Govia Thameslink Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British railcars and diesel multiple units</span> Network_Rail

Diesel multiple units and railcars are trains, usually with passenger accommodation, that do not require a locomotive. Railcars can be single cars, while in multiple units cars are marshalled together with a driving position either end. As of December 2010, 23 percent of the rail passenger cars used on Network Rail are part of a diesel multiple unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham station group</span> Station group in Birmingham city centre, England

The Birmingham station group is a station group of three railway stations in Birmingham city centre, consisting of New Street, Moor Street, and Snow Hill. The station group is printed on national railway tickets as BIRMINGHAM STNS and does not include the international station of Birmingham International, which is located some 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) east of the city centre next to Birmingham Airport and National Exhibition Centre.

References

  1. ↑ Sherratt, Philip, ed. (2023). "ROSCO Fleets". Modern Railways: Review 2023. Stamford: Key Publishing. pp. 18–19. ISBN   978-1-80282-569-5.
  2. 1 2 3 M-Size Bogies: B5000 for Coach and EMU Applications (PDF). Crespin: Bombardier Transport. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 References: High-Speed Trains and Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) (PDF). Heidenheim: Voith Turbo. May 2008. pp. 20–21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  4. 1 2 Diesel Multiple Units 2010. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. 2010. p. 66. ISBN   978-1-902336-75-6.
  5. 1 2 Every Track - QSK19 for Rail Applications (PDF) (09/08 ed.). Daventry: Cummins Ltd. Bulletin 4087201. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "Cutting noise and smoothing the ride". Railway Gazette. London. 1 August 2000. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2010. In the Voyager application, every car has a Cummins underfloor engine and alternator supplying power to a pair of body-mounted traction motors. Each drives one inner axle through a cardan shaft and axle-mounted final drive gearbox. Thus all 272 bogies are identical
  7. ↑ System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 (PDF). London: Rail Safety and Standards Board. 22 June 2011. p. 4. SD001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "New Dawn for Virgin Trains" (Press release). Virgin Trains. 5 June 2001. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
  9. 1 2 "Class 220 data". The Railway Centre. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 27 October 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ↑ Defying Convention - B5000 Bogies (PDF). Netphen: Bombardier Transportation. December 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  11. ↑ "Virgin Trains chaos 'over by Christmas'". BBC News. 20 November 2002.
  12. ↑ "Voyager Train fleet "think smart" to operate past Devon sea storms" (Press release). Virgin Trains. 2 December 2002. Archived from the original on 16 October 2006.
  13. ↑ "Virgin Trains Cross Country news April 2006" (PDF). Section 14 (Press release). p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 September 2006.
  14. ↑ Staff; agencies (10 November 2006). "Life sentence for train murder of student". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  15. ↑ "Train fire at Banbury". Banbury Guardian . 14 March 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
  16. ↑ "Train Fire is out". Oxford Mail. 14 March 2008.
  17. ↑ "Beacon Rail buys Voyager DEMU fleet". Railway Gazette International. 24 July 2017.
  18. ↑ Pritchard, Robert; Hall, Peter (2013). British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2013. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. pp. 245–6, 373. ISBN   978-1-909431-02-7.
  19. ↑ "Alstom's Voyager Fleet celebrate 20 years of Inter-City service in UK". Premier Construction News. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021.
  20. ↑ "Latest Namings". Rail Express . No. October 2021. p. 13.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.