British Rail Class 222
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Image:222 passing through Loughborough.jpg Image:222102 at Doncaster.JPG Image:BS 1363 power socket on a Class 222 Meridian train.jpg The British Rail Class 222 is a diesel-electric multiple unit high-speed train. The Class 222, manufactured by Bombardier Transportation is capable of 200 km/h (125 mph) and is similar to the Class 220 and 221 Voyager units used by Virgin Trains. Although the Class 222 is related to the Voyager units used by Virgin Trains and has a similar appearance, the trains have a radically different interior, altered after feedback from the Voyagers about their cramped interior, and have more components fitted under the floors. A total of twenty-seven Class 222 units exist, with possibly more to come.
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[edit] Current Operators
[edit] Midland Mainline
The English train operating company Midland Mainline put twenty-three Class 222 units in service on certain routes in 2004. Midland Mainline's class 222 units are called 'Meridians'. The Meridians were used to replace Midland Mainlines Turbostars, which were moved to Central Trains, the Meridians are much faster than the Turbostars, and reported to be more comfortable for passengers as well. Midland Mainline operate seven sets of nine-carriage Meridians, these were ordered for an enhanced London St. Pancras - Leeds service, but after Midland Mainline had ordered the trains, the Strategic Rail Authority decided not to allow them to run the service. The nine car Meridians now supplement Midland Mainline's HST fleet with services on the London to Sheffield line and can be seen on some Peak Services from Nottingham. Midland Mainline operate sixteen sets of four car Meridians which are primarily used between London and Derby or Nottingham semi-fast services (Stopping at places such as Loughborough, Market Harborough, Wellingborough etc.). Midland Mainline mistakenly ordered too much first-class accommodation in the 4 car Meridians (leading to the 4 car Meridian having slightly less standard class seating than a 3 car Turbostar it was replacing), Coach H has a section of declassified First Class seating which Standard Class passengers may use, but many people do not notice the stickers in the windows and so choose the Standard Class seating. This means passengers using this area not only get wider and more comfortable seating, but the area is typically quieter too. Midland Mainline are currently removing a carriage from the nine-car Meridians and placing this car into some four-car Meridians. This is only a current trial and only two sets of nine and four car Meridians have been converted.
[edit] Hull Trains
The train operating company Hull Trains have also introduced Class 222 units to replace their Class 170 Turbostars in May 2005. Hull Trains Class 222 units are called 'Pioneers', which is fitting with the city that they serve. Their introduction has brought journey time reductions of up to twenty minutes on the Hull to King's Cross railway station route. Internally, the Pioneers differ from the Meridians. As well as having a different colour scheme and layout, Pioneers have less first-class seating so there is no declassified area.
[edit] Fleet Details
| Class | Operator | No. Built | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 222/0 | Midland Mainline | 23 | 2003 | 9 | 222001-003 + 006-007 |
| 4 | 222008-013 + 016-023 | ||||
| 8 | 222004 + 222005 | ||||
| 5 | 222014 + 222015 | ||||
| Class 222/1 | Hull Trains | 4 | 2004 | 4 | 222101-104 |
[edit] External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- Midland Mainline web site
- Hull Trains web site
- Bombardiers Meridian web site
- Bombardiers Pioneer web site
- Railfaneurope.net Class 222 picture gallery
| British Rail diesel multiple units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Diesel locomotives - Electric locomotives - DMU - DEMU - AC EMU - DC EMU - Departmental units | ||
| First-generation diesel units | ||
| Classes: | 100 - 101 - 102 - 103 - 104 - 105 - 106 - 107 - 108 - 109 - 110 - 111 - 112 - 113 - 114 - 115 116 - 117 - 118 - 119 - 120 - 121 - 122 - 123 - 124 - 125 - 126 - 127 - 128 - 129 - 130 - 131 | |
| Original TOPS: | 140 - 141 - 142 - 143 - 144 - 145 - 147 - 148 - 149 - 150 - 160 - 161 - 162 - 163 - 164 - 166 167 - 168 - 169 - 171 - 172 - 173 - 175 - 176 - 177 - 178 - 179 - 180 - 182 - 183 - 185 - 186 188 - 189 | |
| Pre-TOPS: | British United Traction - Derby Lightweight - Metro-Cammell - Railbus GWR Railcars - LMS Railcars | |
| Second-generation diesel units | ||
| Classes: | 140 - 141 - 142 - 143 - 144 - 150 - 151 - 153 - 154 - 155 - 156 - 157 - 158 - 159 - 165 - 166 168 - 170 - 171 - 175 - 180 - 185 | |
| Diesel-electric units | ||
| Classes: | 201 - 202 - 203 - 204 - 205 - 206 - 207 - 210 - 220 - 221 - 222 - 251 - 252 - 253 - 254 - 255 | |
| SR designation: | 3D - 3H - 3R - 3T - 4L - 6B - 6L - 6S | |
| Departmental units | ||
| Classes: | 901 - 930 - 950 - 951 - 960 - APT-E - MPV | |
