British Rail Class 222
Encyclopedia
The British Rail Class 222 is a diesel-electric multiple unit high-speed train capable of 125 mph (55.9 m/s). Twenty-seven units have been built by Bombardier Transportation
.
The Class 222 is similar to the Class 220 Voyager
and Class 221 SuperVoyager
trains used by CrossCountry
and Virgin Trains
but units have a different interior, which is less cramped than the Voyagers. The Class 222 trains have more components fitted under the floors to free up space within the body.
QSK19 diesel engine
of 750 hp at 1800 rpm
. This powers a generator
, which supplies current
to motors driving two axles per coach. Approximately 1350 miles (2,172.6 km) can be travelled between each refuelling.
Class 222 have rheostatic braking
using the motors in reverse to generate electricity which is dissipated as heat through resistors situated on the roof of each coach, this saves on brake pad wear.
In common with the Class 220s, B5000 lightweight bogies are used - these are easily recognisable since the entire outer surface of the wheel is visible, with inboard axle bearings.
The Class 222 are fitted with Dellner couplers, as on Class 220 Voyager and Class 221 SuperVoyager trains, though these units cannot work together in service because the Class 222 electrical connections differ from that of the Class 220 and Class 221 trains.
All Class 222 units are maintained at the dedicated Etches Park
depot in Derby
which is just south of Derby station.
East Midlands Trains: seven cars with 236 standard seats and 106 first-class seats.
East Midlands Trains: four/five cars with 192 standard seats and 50 first-class seats (five cars).
Initially, the 23 units ordered for Midland Mainline were 4-car and 9-car. Over time these have been gradually modified to the current formations. The 4-car units ordered by Hull Trains had an option when constructed to be extended to 5-cars if required.
introduced the first of 23 Class 222 units on 31 May 2004, branding them Meridian. These replaced a fleet of Class 170 Turbostars having better acceleration and top speed.
Seven of the sets were nine car Class 222 Meridians which intended for an enhanced London St Pancras
to Leeds service, but after the trains had been ordered, the Strategic Rail Authority
decided not to allow them to run the service. The nine-car Meridians were used on London-Nottingham and some London-Sheffield services.
When the trains were ordered, Midland Mainline overestimated the number of first class passengers and the four-car Meridians had less standard-class seating than the three-car Turbostars they replaced. Coach D subsequently had a section of first-class seating declassified for use by standard-class passengers.
At the end of 2006 Midland Mainline removed a carriage from the each of the nine-car sets and extended seven of the four-car sets.
Following the formation of the new East Midlands rail franchise on November 2007, the entire fleet of Class 222 Meridians was inherited by East Midlands Trains
who operate the expanded East Midlands rail franchise including all those routes previously run by Midland Mainline.
East Midlands Trains has named the following Meridians:
Midland Mainline had named some of the units as follows:
The names were removed when the franchise passed to East Midlands Trains.
In 2008 further rearrangements were made to the sets: another carriage was removed one coach from the eight-car Meridians, except for 222 007, which has been reduced to five-cars. The surplus coaches were then added to the remaining four-car Meridians to make six seven-car sets (222 001-222 006) and 17 five-car sets (222 007-222 023). This process took place from March to October 2008; as part of the process two first class coaches removed from 222 007 were converted to standard class and part first class.
The seven-car trains are almost exclusively used on the fast services between London St Pancras and Sheffield. These do not operate the London St Pancras-Leeds
, although the service is via Sheffield
. The five-car trains are mainly used between London St Pancras and , Nottingham or Corby on semi-fast services. The four-car trains supplement the five-car trains on these services.
In December 2008 the Class 222 Meridians started work on the hourly London St Pancras to Sheffield services, because they have faster acceleration than the High Speed Trains and so were able to reduce the Sheffield to London journey time by 12 minutes. The hourly Nottingham service was then transferred to High Speed Train running to cover for the Meridians now working the hourly Sheffield fast service.
In February 2009, 222 101 and 222 102 transferred from Hull Trains to East Midlands Trains, they were quickly repainted in the East Midlands Trains white livery. 222 104 followed from First Hull Trains later in the year. 222 103 followed a few months after 222 104 after repairs had been completed (see below). None of them been refurbished internally. 222103 has now been reinstated for service after two years for repairs after the unit fell from jacks at Bombardier
, Crofton in early 2007.
and King's Cross by up to 20 minutes. The Pioneers have a different interior colour scheme and less first-class seating than the Meridians.
First Hull Trains' fleet consisted of four four-car Pioneers, each named after a 'modern-day pioneer' related to Hull.
222 103 was involved in an accident during maintenance work that severely damaged two of the unit's four cars.
First Hull Trains have decided to use only Class 180
units from 2009 onwards. The Class 222 Pioneers have now been transferred to East Midlands Trains
and are now known as Meridians.
are currently undertaking a refurbishment of the entire Class 222 Meridian fleet. The refurbishment includes new seat covers and carpets in standard class. First class will receive new leather seat covers along with a new colour scheme and carpets. The refurbishment started in February 2011 and is set to be complete by Spring 2012. A photo of the refurbishment in standard class can be seen at the top of this page.
, Leicestershire
. Two wheels on coach E in the middle of the train came off the track; on approaching the site of the derailment the train was travelling at close to 100 mph. No other wheels derailed and the train remained upright. There were also reports that one or more road vehicles on an adjacent highway were struck and damaged by debris as the derailed train passed. 222005 was moved from the site the next day after a replacement bogie was fitted and was for a few months formed of vehicles of 222101 and 222022 including a standard class cab end which was temporarily renumbered until the damaged vehicles were returned to the set in mid-June. The derailment caused damage to the Midland Main Line
near Kibworth
for a distance of two miles, the line underwent emergency repairs by Network Rail
to get the stretch of line back open for start of service on 24 February 2010.
The RAIB working with Bombardier
and East Midlands Trains
are currently investigating the incident. The RAIB’s preliminary examination has identified that the derailment is likely to have been the result of the failure of an axle in proximity to the final drive. Bombardier
examined the rest of the 22X fleet within seven days of the incident and found no similar faults, however modifications have since been made to all the 22X fleet to monitor the gearbox oil levels more effectively.
took delivery of the seven nine-car trains planned for use by Midland Mainline on their London-Leeds service, but the trains were left idle when the Strategic Rail Authority
prevented Midland Mainline from operating this service. HSBC Rail made contact with Northern Ireland Railways
and Iarnród Éireann
, with a view to their leasing these units for use by Enterprise. Using these trains on the Belfast-Dublin line
was one of a number of options, which also included the purchase of additional 22000 Class
railcars or cascaded coaching stock. In the event, the trains entered service with MML providing the fast services from London to Nottingham, thus releasing HSTs
. The trains would have required significant modification to be used by Northern Ireland Railways
, including reducing each train from nine to eight cars (the maximum length of stations on the Belfast-Dublin line), and converting them from standard gauge
to Irish gauge
(5 ft 3 inches).
.
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
.
The Class 222 is similar to the Class 220 Voyager
British Rail Class 220
The Class 220 Voyager are a class of diesel-electric high-speed multiple-unit trains built by Bombardier Transportation in 2000 and 2001....
and Class 221 SuperVoyager
British Rail Class 221
The Class 221 Super Voyager is a class of British diesel-electric multiple-unit express trains built by Bombardier Transportation between 2001 and 2002, entering service on 12 April 2002....
trains used by CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
and Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
but units have a different interior, which is less cramped than the Voyagers. The Class 222 trains have more components fitted under the floors to free up space within the body.
Details
All coaches are equipped with a CumminsCummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
QSK19 diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
of 750 hp at 1800 rpm
Revolutions per minute
Revolutions per minute is a measure of the frequency of a rotation. It annotates the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis...
. This powers a generator
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
, which supplies current
Electric current
Electric current is a flow of electric charge through a medium.This charge is typically carried by moving electrons in a conductor such as wire...
to motors driving two axles per coach. Approximately 1350 miles (2,172.6 km) can be travelled between each refuelling.
Class 222 have rheostatic braking
Dynamic braking
Dynamic braking is the use of the electric traction motors of a railroad vehicle as generators when slowing the Locomotive. It is termed rheostatic if the generated electrical power is dissipated as heat in brake grid resistors, and regenerative if the power is returned to the supply line...
using the motors in reverse to generate electricity which is dissipated as heat through resistors situated on the roof of each coach, this saves on brake pad wear.
In common with the Class 220s, B5000 lightweight bogies are used - these are easily recognisable since the entire outer surface of the wheel is visible, with inboard axle bearings.
The Class 222 are fitted with Dellner couplers, as on Class 220 Voyager and Class 221 SuperVoyager trains, though these units cannot work together in service because the Class 222 electrical connections differ from that of the Class 220 and Class 221 trains.
All Class 222 units are maintained at the dedicated Etches Park
Etches Park
Derby Etches Park is a railway Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot operated by East Midlands Trains, and is situated in Derby, England. InterCity and Diesel Multiple Unit trains are serviced and maintained here...
depot in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
which is just south of Derby station.
Formation
Class 222 units are currently running in the following formations:East Midlands Trains: seven cars with 236 standard seats and 106 first-class seats.
- Coach A - Standard Class with driving cab and reservable space for four bikes
- Coach C - Standard Class
- Coach D - Standard Class
- Coach E - Standard Class with Shop/Buffet counter
- Coach F - First Class
- Coach G - First Class
- Coach J - First Class and driving cab
East Midlands Trains: four/five cars with 192 standard seats and 50 first-class seats (five cars).
- Coach A - Standard Class with driving cab and reservable space for four bikes
- Coach B - Standard Class (not present in four-car train)
- Coach C - Standard Class with Shop/Buffet counter
- Coach D - Standard Class / First Class (four-car trains have a higher percentage of standard class seats)
- Coach G - First Class and driving cab
Initially, the 23 units ordered for Midland Mainline were 4-car and 9-car. Over time these have been gradually modified to the current formations. The 4-car units ordered by Hull Trains had an option when constructed to be extended to 5-cars if required.
Midland region
Midland MainlineMidland Mainline
Midland Mainline was a British train operating company owned by the National Express Group and based in Derby. It was created after the privatisation of British Rail. Midland Mainline services operated from April 1996 to November 2007....
introduced the first of 23 Class 222 units on 31 May 2004, branding them Meridian. These replaced a fleet of Class 170 Turbostars having better acceleration and top speed.
Seven of the sets were nine car Class 222 Meridians which intended for an enhanced London St Pancras
St Pancras railway station
St Pancras railway station, also known as London St Pancras and since 2007 as St Pancras International, is a central London railway terminus celebrated for its Victorian architecture. The Grade I listed building stands on Euston Road in St Pancras, London Borough of Camden, between the...
to Leeds service, but after the trains had been ordered, the Strategic Rail Authority
Strategic Rail Authority
In existence from 2001 to 2006, the Strategic Rail Authority was a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom set up under the Transport Act 2000 to provide strategic direction for the railway industry....
decided not to allow them to run the service. The nine-car Meridians were used on London-Nottingham and some London-Sheffield services.
When the trains were ordered, Midland Mainline overestimated the number of first class passengers and the four-car Meridians had less standard-class seating than the three-car Turbostars they replaced. Coach D subsequently had a section of first-class seating declassified for use by standard-class passengers.
At the end of 2006 Midland Mainline removed a carriage from the each of the nine-car sets and extended seven of the four-car sets.
Following the formation of the new East Midlands rail franchise on November 2007, the entire fleet of Class 222 Meridians was inherited by East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
who operate the expanded East Midlands rail franchise including all those routes previously run by Midland Mainline.
East Midlands Trains has named the following Meridians:
| Unit number | Name | Date named | Named by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 222 003 | Tornado | 24 March 2009 | Tim Shoveller, East Midlands Trains Managing Director | Driving car 60163 named as it has the same number as Tornado LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado 60163 Tornado is a main-line steam locomotive built in Darlington, England. Completed in 2008, Tornado was the first such locomotive built in the United Kingdom since Evening Star, the last steam locomotive built by British Railways, in 1960... |
| 222 006 | The Carbon Cutter | 31 May 2011 | Philip Hammond, Transport Secretary | To mark the introduction of eco-mode to the fleet |
Midland Mainline had named some of the units as follows:
| Unit number | Name | Date named | Named by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 222 004 | City Of Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely... |
29 March 2007 | Lord Mayor of Sheffield Lord Mayor of Sheffield The Lord Mayor of Sheffield is a ceremonial post held by a member of Sheffield City Council. They are elected annually by the council. The post originated in 1843, with the appointment of William Jeffcock as the first Mayor of Sheffield... , Councillor Jackie Drayton Jackie Drayton Jackie Drayton is a serving Labour Party member of Sheffield City Council representing Burngreave ward. She was the 110th Lord Mayor of Sheffield, serving for the customary one year in 2006-07... |
| 222 005 | City Of Nottingham Nottingham Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group... |
30 January 2007 | Lord Mayor of Nottingham Lord Mayor of Nottingham The Lord Mayor of Nottingham is a largely ceremonial role for the city of Nottingham, England. The position was historically Mayor of Nottingham; this was changed to Lord Mayor in 1928. The current Lord Mayor of Nottingham for 2010/2011 is Councillor Brian Grocock... , Councillor Des Wilson |
| 222 006 | City Of Leicester Leicester Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest... |
7 March 2007 | Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Paul Westley |
| 222 007 | City Of Derby Derby Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407... |
17 May 2007 | Mayor of Derby Mayor of Derby Names of the Mayors for the Borough of Derby from the first that was chosen on the 3 July 1638 by the king's charter then granted to the town the two last bailiffs were the two first mayors Mr Mellor being proclaimed the 3rd day of July to be the mayor until Michaelmas and twelve months after but... , Councillor John Ahern |
The names were removed when the franchise passed to East Midlands Trains.
In 2008 further rearrangements were made to the sets: another carriage was removed one coach from the eight-car Meridians, except for 222 007, which has been reduced to five-cars. The surplus coaches were then added to the remaining four-car Meridians to make six seven-car sets (222 001-222 006) and 17 five-car sets (222 007-222 023). This process took place from March to October 2008; as part of the process two first class coaches removed from 222 007 were converted to standard class and part first class.
The seven-car trains are almost exclusively used on the fast services between London St Pancras and Sheffield. These do not operate the London St Pancras-Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, although the service is via Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
. The five-car trains are mainly used between London St Pancras and , Nottingham or Corby on semi-fast services. The four-car trains supplement the five-car trains on these services.
In December 2008 the Class 222 Meridians started work on the hourly London St Pancras to Sheffield services, because they have faster acceleration than the High Speed Trains and so were able to reduce the Sheffield to London journey time by 12 minutes. The hourly Nottingham service was then transferred to High Speed Train running to cover for the Meridians now working the hourly Sheffield fast service.
In February 2009, 222 101 and 222 102 transferred from Hull Trains to East Midlands Trains, they were quickly repainted in the East Midlands Trains white livery. 222 104 followed from First Hull Trains later in the year. 222 103 followed a few months after 222 104 after repairs had been completed (see below). None of them been refurbished internally. 222103 has now been reinstated for service after two years for repairs after the unit fell from jacks at Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
, Crofton in early 2007.
Hull services
First Hull Trains (formerly known as 'Hull Trains') introduced Class 222 Pioneer units, to replace its Class 170 Turbostars in May 2005. The units reduced journey times between HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
and King's Cross by up to 20 minutes. The Pioneers have a different interior colour scheme and less first-class seating than the Meridians.
First Hull Trains' fleet consisted of four four-car Pioneers, each named after a 'modern-day pioneer' related to Hull.
| 222 101 | Professor George Gray |
| 222 102 | Professor Stuart Palmer |
| 222 103 | Dr John Godber John Godber John Harry Godber is an English dramatist, known mainly for his observational comedies. In the 'Plays and Players Yearbook' for 1993 he was calculated as the third most performed playwright in the UK behind William Shakespeare and Alan Ayckbourn. He has a wife and 2 children.-Biography:Godber was... |
| 222 104 | Sir Terry Farrell |
222 103 was involved in an accident during maintenance work that severely damaged two of the unit's four cars.
First Hull Trains have decided to use only Class 180
British Rail Class 180
The Class 180 is a type of British diesel multiple unit train built by Alstom between 2000 and 2001 for use on then-new express services by First Great Western . They were built at Washwood Heath in Birmingham and are part of the Coradia 1000 family along with the Class 175. FGW stopped using the...
units from 2009 onwards. The Class 222 Pioneers have now been transferred to East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
and are now known as Meridians.
Refurbishment
East Midlands TrainsEast Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
are currently undertaking a refurbishment of the entire Class 222 Meridian fleet. The refurbishment includes new seat covers and carpets in standard class. First class will receive new leather seat covers along with a new colour scheme and carpets. The refurbishment started in February 2011 and is set to be complete by Spring 2012. A photo of the refurbishment in standard class can be seen at the top of this page.
Incidents
- On 10 June 2006 the 1030 1D17 Midland Mainline London-Sheffield service using Meridian 222 009 had to be taken out of service due to a door opening at DesboroughDesboroughDesborough is a town in Northamptonshire, England. It is one of the founding 12 members of the Charter of European Rural Communities and through this has links with 26 other EU member towns and villages...
, Northamptonshire whilst at speed. - In January 2007 eight jack supports failed, leading to unit 222 103 Dr John Godber of Hull Trains falling to the floor of Crofton Works. On inspection at Derby, two vehicles of the unit were written off, with replacements on order from Bombardier.
- First Hull Trains Pioneer 222 102 from Hull to London Kings Cross caught fire whilst travelling through Stevenage in Hertfordshire at approximately 19:20 on Friday 10 August 2007. The fire was reported to take 30 minutes to extinguish and no injuries were reported. Damage to the unit was not serious and it was back in service within two days.
- EMT 222104 had a fuel leak whilst in service on 24 June 2009. The unit has been fixed and is back in service.
- EMT 222016 was out of service after it was involved in a fatality incident near ElstreeElstreeElstree is a village in the Hertsmere borough of Hertfordshire on the A5 road, about 10 miles north of London. In 2001, its population was 4,765, and forms part of the civil parish of Elstree and Borehamwood, originally known simply as Elstree....
at the end of January 2010. 222016 has now recently re-entered service with a new cab, painted all-yellow making it look different to the other members of the fleet. It is identical to the rest now(excluding the numbers), because EMT repainted its cab to the standard livery. - On 19 October 2011, EMT 222104 had an engine fire at platform 2 of Loughborough Station, on 0847 service from Sheffield. It is thought the fire was due to oil leaking onto a hot part of the engine, the train was evacuated and a fire crew called.
Derailment near Market Harborough
On 20 February 2010, 222005 working the 14:55 London St Pancras - Sheffield derailed near East LangtonEast Langton
East Langton is a village and civil parish in the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England. The parish also includes Church Langton. It is near Kibworth and Market Harborough, and the parish according to the 2001 census had a population of 351...
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
. Two wheels on coach E in the middle of the train came off the track; on approaching the site of the derailment the train was travelling at close to 100 mph. No other wheels derailed and the train remained upright. There were also reports that one or more road vehicles on an adjacent highway were struck and damaged by debris as the derailed train passed. 222005 was moved from the site the next day after a replacement bogie was fitted and was for a few months formed of vehicles of 222101 and 222022 including a standard class cab end which was temporarily renumbered until the damaged vehicles were returned to the set in mid-June. The derailment caused damage to the Midland Main Line
Midland Main Line
The Midland Main Line is a major railway route in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.The present-day line links London St...
near Kibworth
Kibworth
Kibworth is an area of the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England, that contains two civil parishes—the villages of Kibworth Beauchamp and Kibworth Harcourt . According to the 2001 census, Kibworth Beauchamp has a population of 3,798, and Kibworth Harcourt has a population of 990. The two...
for a distance of two miles, the line underwent emergency repairs by Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
to get the stretch of line back open for start of service on 24 February 2010.
The RAIB working with Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
and East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
are currently investigating the incident. The RAIB’s preliminary examination has identified that the derailment is likely to have been the result of the failure of an axle in proximity to the final drive. Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
examined the rest of the 22X fleet within seven days of the incident and found no similar faults, however modifications have since been made to all the 22X fleet to monitor the gearbox oil levels more effectively.
Enterprise
In 2005 HSBC RailHSBC Rail
Eversholt Rail Group is one of the three major ROSCOs in the United Kingdom...
took delivery of the seven nine-car trains planned for use by Midland Mainline on their London-Leeds service, but the trains were left idle when the Strategic Rail Authority
Strategic Rail Authority
In existence from 2001 to 2006, the Strategic Rail Authority was a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom set up under the Transport Act 2000 to provide strategic direction for the railway industry....
prevented Midland Mainline from operating this service. HSBC Rail made contact with Northern Ireland Railways
Northern Ireland Railways
NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...
and Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
, with a view to their leasing these units for use by Enterprise. Using these trains on the Belfast-Dublin line
Dublin-Belfast railway line
The Dublin-Belfast main line is a major railway route in Ireland that connects Dublin Connolly station in the Republic of Ireland and Belfast Central station in Northern Ireland.-History:The railway line was built by three separate companies...
was one of a number of options, which also included the purchase of additional 22000 Class
IE 22000 Class
The 22000 Class "InterCity Railcar" is a Diesel multiple unit type in service with Iarnród Éireann in Ireland.In a new departure for Iarnród Éireann they will be the first railcars to have been built specifically to serve on InterCity routes and are capable of up to 100 mph .-History:In 2005,...
railcars or cascaded coaching stock. In the event, the trains entered service with MML providing the fast services from London to Nottingham, thus releasing HSTs
InterCity 125
The InterCity 125 was the brand name of British Rail's High Speed Train fleet. The InterCity 125 train is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of Mark 3 carriages, and is capable of , making the train the fastest diesel-powered locomotive in regular service in the...
. The trains would have required significant modification to be used by Northern Ireland Railways
Northern Ireland Railways
NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...
, including reducing each train from nine to eight cars (the maximum length of stations on the Belfast-Dublin line), and converting them from standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
to Irish gauge
Irish gauge
Irish gauge railways use a track gauge of . It is used in* Ireland * Australia where it is also known as Victorian Broad Gauge* Brazil where it is also known as Bitola larga no Brasil....
(5 ft 3 inches).
Grand Central
Grand Central, on the announcement of its planned open-access operation to Sunderland in the summer of 2006, planned to run its services using five Class 222 units, with the intention of starting by the end of that year. However, this never happened, pushing back the planned start date while trying to source alternatives. Grand Central finally started operating in December 2007 using three High Speed TrainsInterCity 125
The InterCity 125 was the brand name of British Rail's High Speed Train fleet. The InterCity 125 train is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of Mark 3 carriages, and is capable of , making the train the fastest diesel-powered locomotive in regular service in the...
.
Current fleet details
| Class | Operator | No. in service | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit numbers. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 222/0 | East Midlands Trains East Midlands Trains East Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London... |
6 | 2003 - 2005 | 7 | 222001 - 222006 |
| 17 | 5 | 222007 - 222023 | |||
| Class 222/1 | 4 | 4 | 222101 - 222104 |