| British Rail Class 220 Voyager | |
|---|---|
CrossCountry 220011 at Newton Abbot |
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The interior of a CrossCountry class 220 |
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| In service | 2001 — |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Transportation |
| Family name | Voyager |
| Constructed | 2000–2001 |
| Number built | 34 trainsets |
| Number in service | 34 trainsets |
| Formation | 4 cars per trainset |
| Capacity | 174 standard class, 26 first class |
| Operator | CrossCountry |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Steel |
| Width | 2.73 m (8 ft 11 in) |
| Articulated sections | Flexible diaphragm (within unit only) |
| Maximum speed | 125 mph (200 km/h) |
| Weight | 185.6 t (182.7 long tons; 204.6 short tons) per trainset |
| Traction system | DEMU |
| Engine(s) | Cummins QSK19 of 560 kW (750 hp) at 1800rpm[1] |
| Power output | 3,000 hp (2,200 kW) |
| Transmission | Voith SK-450 electric-mechanical[2] |
| UIC classification | 1A'A1'+1A'A1'+1A'A1'+1A'A1'[2][3] |
| Braking system(s) | Rheostatic |
| Safety system(s) | AWS, TPWS |
| Coupling system | Dellner[4] |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge |
The Class 220 Voyager are a class of diesel-electric high-speed multiple-unit trains built by Bombardier Transportation in 2000 and 2001.
They were introduced in 2001 to replace the 30-year-old InterCity 125 and Class 47 fleets operating on the Cross Country Route for train operating company Virgin Trains.[5]
Contents |
All coaches are equipped with a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine of 750 hp (560 kW) at 1800rpm. These power a generator which supplies current to motors driving two axles per coach,[6] with one axle per bogie powered.[7][8]
Voyagers have both air and rheostatic brakes. They are fitted with Dellner couplers, like the Class 390 Pendolino electric trains used by Virgin West Coast meaning they can be coupled in the event of a failure. As the computer hardware, software and electrical systems are not fully compatible they are not coupled in normal service. 220s and 221s can also be easily assisted by Dellner fitted Class 57s (Thunderbirds) in the event of a failure. By use of adaptive couplings a failed 220 or 221 can also be assisted by any air braked locomotive such as a Class 37, 47 or 66 or even an HST.
The Class 220s and closely related Class 222s have B5005 bogies[2][7] which are distinctive as they are of inside frame design and hence the axles are supported by bearings behind the wheels, meaning the outside face of the wheel is visible. The related Class 221 Super Voyager has outside frame bogies and hence have 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[6] - in part due to the lightweight bogie design.
All Voyagers are maintained at the dedicated Central Rivers TMD near Burton-on-Trent.
The roof mounted resistors for the rheostatic (dynamic) brakes have caused a number of incidents: In one incident, a small piece of wood from a tree had become lodged in these grids, which started a fire on the roof of the train as it stopped in Banbury railway station.
Units have also 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.[9] This problem was fixed by an upgrade to the control software.[10]
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.[11]
On 14 March 2008, 220 012, forming a service to Derby, caught fire at Banbury.[12][13] This fire was caused by a bird getting caught under one of the hot brake resistors on the roof of the train. Although damage was superficial to the train, once the fire brigade had been called, procedures called for the train to be taken out of service for inspection.
Class 220s operate in four carriage sets. 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:[1]
CrossCountry Trains have finished updating the interior layout of all its 220 and 221 sets; their aim is to increase seating capacity, in line with their commitments to the franchise agreements, as well as provide an at-seat trolley service for refreshments instead of a shop. Their research had shown that the shop was not making as good a turnover as hoped due to the fact a lot of people prefer not to leave their seats to get refreshments; they feared either losing their seat or having their belongings stolen when away. It is worth pointing out that in Virgin Trains unsuccessful franchise bid they also cited removal of the shop from 220s and 221s as a way of trying to improve seating capacity.
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 Class 220s have been criticised for a number of shortcomings:
Virgin Trains was the sole operator of Class 220 Voyager trains when they were introduced in 2001, via their Virgin West Coast and Virgin CrossCountry franchises. 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.
The 220s often operate in multiple with Class 221 units.
There are 34 Class 220 Voyager trains, numbered 220 001–220 034.
| Class | Operator | Number | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit Numbers. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 220 | CrossCountry | 34 | 2000–2001 | 4 | 220 001–220 034 |
Virgin Trains named all the Class 220 Voyagers after places that they serve or companies that have relations with Virgin Trains.
| 220 001 | Somerset Voyager (previously Maiden Voyager) | 220 018 | Dorset Voyager (previously Central News) |
| 220 002 | Forth Voyager | 220 019 | Mersey Voyager |
| 220 003 | Solent Voyager | 220 020 | Wessex Voyager |
| 220 004 | Cumbrian Voyager (previously New Dawn) | 220 021 | Staffordshire Voyager (previously Blackpool Voyager) |
| 220 005 | Guildford Voyager | 220 022 | Brighton Voyager |
| 220 006 | Clyde Voyager | 220 023 | Mancunian Voyager |
| 220 007 | Thames Voyager | 220 024 | Sheffield Voyager |
| 220 008 | Welsh Dragon | 220 025 | Severn Voyager (previously Virgin Voyager) |
| 220 009 | Gatwick Voyager | 220 026 | Stagecoach Voyager |
| 220 010 | Ribble Voyager | 220 027 | Avon Voyager[14] |
| 220 011 | Tyne Voyager | 220 028 | Black Country Voyager |
| 220 012 | Lanarkshire Voyager | 220 029 | Cornish Voyager |
| 220 013 | South Wales Voyager | 220 030 | Devon Voyager |
| 220 014 | South Yorkshire Voyager | 220 031 | Tay Voyager |
| 220 015 | Solway Voyager | 220 032 | Grampian Voyager |
| 220 016 | Midland Voyager | 220 033 | Fife Voyager |
| 220 017 | Bombardier Voyager | 220 034 | Yorkshire Voyager |
When the Class 220s were transferred to the new operator CrossCountry, all the names were removed. All Class 220 Voyagers are now in CrossCountry livery.[15]
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