British Rail Class 220
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport manufacturing |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Belgium |
| Products | Trains, including British Rail Class 220 Voyager |
The British Rail Class 220 Voyager is a diesel-electric high-speed multiple unit passenger train constructed by Bombardier Transportation in Belgium between 2000 and 2001. Launched in 2001, it succeeded older fleets such as the two-decade-old InterCity 125 and the nearly 40-year-old Class 47-hauled Mark 2 coaches on the Cross Country Route. Initially run by Virgin CrossCountry, management of the Class 220 passed to CrossCountry in 2007.
Technical details
Each coach is powered by a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine delivering at 1,800rpm. This engine drives a generator that supplies electricity to motors turning two axles per coach,[1] with one axle powered per bogie.[2]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The Voyager units employ both air brakes and rheostatic brakes, and are fitted with Dellner couplers, which are compatible with Class 222 and Class 390 Pendolino trains. This allows coupling in rescue situations (using air brakes only) during breakdowns. Additionally, Class 220 and 221 units can be assisted by Dellner-equipped Class 57s ("Thunderbirds") or, through adaptors, by any locomotive fitted with air brakes.
Classes 220 and the closely related Class 222 utilize distinctive B5005 bogies,[2][3] characterized by an inside-frame design where axles are supported behind the wheels, revealing the outer face of the wheel. In contrast, the tilting Class 221 Super Voyager employs outside-frame bogies with a more conventional appearance.
Class 220 sets consist of four coaches each, weighing between 45 and 48 tonnes per carriage, resulting in a total train weight of approximately 185.6 tonnes. They can reach speeds up to , with a maximum range near per refueling. Their route availability is RA 2,[1] facilitated by their lightweight bogie construction.
The units are equipped with an AB Hoses variable rate sanding system and receive maintenance at the dedicated Central Rivers TMD facility near Burton-on-Trent.
Accidents and incidents
Occasionally, saltwater intrusion caused by storm-driven waves at Dawlish has interrupted service by flooding resistor banks, leading to control software shutdowns; this was rectified through a software update.
Between 2005 and 2006, several exhaust fires affected Voyager units due to incorrect equipment installation during overhauls, with occurrences reported at Starcross (Class 221), Newcastle, and on January 19, 2006, at Congleton.
On May 26, 2006, a passenger was fatally attacked aboard unit 220005 near Oxenholme Lake District railway station while operating the Glasgow to Paignton route.
On March 14, 2008, unit 220012 suffered a minor roof fire at , triggered by a bird trapped beneath a heated brake resistor. The damage was minimal; repairs were completed promptly, allowing the train to return to service.
Formation and passenger facilities
Class 220 trains run in four-coach formations featuring electronic external displays that show train number, departure time, coach designation, destination, and next station—similar to those on Classes 221 and 222. The interiors are fully air-conditioned with powered doors and include power outlets for laptop computers and mobile device charging. Amenities encompass accessible toilets for disabled passengers as well as bicycle storage areas.
Seating arrangements offer 26 first-class seats arranged in a 2+1 layout alongside 174 standard-class seats configured in a 2+2 pattern.
Four-car Class 220 formation:
- 604XX - Coach A: Contains 26 first-class seats including an area for disabled passengers, train manager’s office, catering zone, driving cab, and toilet.
- 602XX - Coach C: Houses 66 standard-class seats plus a toilet.
- 607XX - Coach D: Provides seating for 66 standard-class passengers along with luggage space and reservable accommodation for three bicycles; no toilet is present.
- 603XX - Coach F: Features seating for 42 standard-class passengers including a disabled area, catering base, driving cab, and toilet.
Notably, there is no coach B within Class 220 formations; this designation is reserved for five-car Class 221 sets to allow fleet flexibility without disrupting reservation systems.
CrossCountry has modernized interiors across all Class 220 and Class 221 units by removing the shop from coach D and relocating bicycle storage there (now fitting three bikes). The former storage space in coach F has been repurposed for catering supplies with fridge capacity and trolley storage. These modifications aim to enhance seating capacity as part of franchise commitments while introducing an at-seat trolley refreshment service that replaces the less profitable onboard shop concept.
Operations
Ownership of all units lies with Beacon Rail, having acquired them from Voyager Rail Leasing, a partnership between Lloyds Banking Group and Angel Trains. These trains are subsequently leased to various train operating companies; as of 2013, the Class 220 fleet is exclusively operated by CrossCountry.
When introduced in 2001, Virgin CrossCountry held sole operating rights for the Class 220 Voyager trains. Following the transfer of the Cross Country Route franchise to Arriva CrossCountry in November 2007, the majority of the Voyager units transitioned accordingly, resulting in CrossCountry becoming the only operator of Class 220 trains by the end of that year.
Class 220 units are frequently run in multiple with other units that share similar mechanical designs, differing mainly in bogie types, while utilizing identical couplers.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | Number | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 220 | CrossCountry | 34 | 2000–2001 | 4 | 220001–034 |
Named units
During Virgin CrossCountry’s tenure, every unit was assigned a name; however, most have since been stripped of their designations. Prominent examples include:
- 220001 originally Maiden Voyager, later renamed Somerset Voyager
- 220004 initially New Dawn, subsequently Cumbrian Voyager
- 220009 first known as Gatwick Voyager, currently named Hixon in memory of the 1968 Hixon rail accident
- 220016 formerly Midland Voyager, now called Voyager 20 celebrating two decades of service
- Additional names feature regional titles such as Forth Voyager, Solent Voyager, Thames Voyager, and Cornish Voyager
These names were chosen to highlight regional ties and reinforce brand identity within the market.
See also
Further reading
External links
- Diesel Electric Multiple Unit, Class 220 "Voyager" - United Kingdom Bombardier Transportation