British Rail Class 222
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2008-07-11T22:48:42Z
Signalhead
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{{Unreferenced|date=June 2008}}
{{Infobox DMU
|name = <font color="#FFFFFF">British Rail Class 222 ''Meridian/Pioneer''</font>
|image = 222017 EMT livery.jpg|thumb
|imagesize = 300px
|caption = [[East Midlands Trains]] five-car 222017 at [[Derby railway station|Derby]]
|background = #3063A5
|Manufacturer = [[Bombardier]]
|Family = [[Voyager (train)|Voyager]]
|Formation = 4, 5, or 7 cars per trainset
|Built = 27 trainsets
|InService = 2004–
|Weight =
|Capacity =
|MaxSpeed = {{convert|125|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}
|Brakes = Rheostatic
|Engine = [[Cummins]] QSK19
|Operator = [[East Midlands Trains]]<br>[[First Hull Trains]]
|SafetySystem = [[Automatic_Warning_System#British_Rail_AWS|AWS]], [[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]]
|}}
The '''British Rail Class 222''' is a [[diesel-electric multiple unit]] [[high-speed train]] capable of {{convert|125|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}. Twenty-seven units have been built by [[Bombardier Transportation]].
The Class 222 is similar to the Class [[British Rail Class 220|Class 220 ''Voyager'']] and [[British Rail Class 221|Class 221 ''SuperVoyager'']] trains used by [[CrossCountry]] and [[Virgin Trains]] but units have a radically different interior, after passenger complaints that the Voyagers were cramped.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The Class 222 trains have more components fitted under the floors.
==Technical details==
Below are the technical details for the Class 222 Meridian / Pioneer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.therailwaycentre.com/New%20DMU%20Tech%20Data%20/DMU_222.html|title=Class 222 data|date=[[2 June]] [[2008]]|publisher=The Railway Centre}}</ref>
===Engine===
[[Image:BS 1363 power socket on a Class 222 Meridian train.jpg|thumb|British Rail Class 222 feature [[BS 1363]] power sockets for charging [[laptop]]s and [[mobile phone]]s]]
All coaches are equipped with a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine of 560kW (750hp) at 1800rpm. This powers a generator which supplies current to motors driving two axles per coach. The units have a range of 1350 miles.
===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 or five cars with 124 or 192 standard seats and 50 first-class seats.
*Coach A - Standard Class with driving cab and reservable space for four bikes
*Coach B - Standard Class (not present in a four car set)
*Coach C - Standard Class
*Coach D - Standard Class / First Class
*Coach G - First Class and driving cab
First Hull Trains: four cars
*Coach A - First Class and driving cab
*Coach B - First Class / Standard Class
*Coach C - Standard Class
*Coach D - Standard Class with driving cab and reservable space for bikes
===Brakes===
Class 222 units make use of [[dynamic braking|rheostatic braking]] (the same as the [[British Rail Class 220|Class 220 ''Voyager'']] and [[British Rail Class 221|Class 221 ''SuperVoyager'']] trains). This system brakes the train by using the motors of the train in reverse, to generate electricity which is then dissipated as heat through resistors situated on the roof of each coach. This slows the train and saves on brake shoe wear.
===Couplers===
The Class 222 units have Dellner couplers fitted, as used on the Class 220 ''Voyager'' and Class 221 ''SuperVoyager'' trains, though these units cannot be coupled to work together in service because the electrical systems are incompatible. They can be coupled to push or pull each other though if a unit becomes faulty. The first-class end of the train is indicated by a yellow bar on the coupler.
==Current operators==
===East Midlands Trains===
[[Image:EMT Class 222 at St Pancras.jpg|thumb|An [[East Midlands Trains]] Class 222 meridian at [[St Pancras railway station|St Pancras]], in Midland Mainline livery]]
[[East Midlands Trains]] operate the expanded East Midlands rail franchise which started on [[11 November]] [[2007]]. The new franchise incorporates the services previously operated by [[Midland Mainline]] and all of the Class 222 ''Meridian'' trains are now oprated by East Midlands Trains.
The East Midlands Trains fleet of Class 222 ''Meridians'' comprises six seven-car sets and seventeen five-car sets. The seven-car trains are used to supplement the East Midlands Trains [[InterCity 125|High Speed Train]] fleet with services on the [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras]] to [[Nottingham railway station|Nottingham]] route and on some services between London St Pancras and [[Sheffield station|Sheffield]]. The five-car trains are mainly used between London St Pancras and [[Derby railway station|Derby]] or Nottingham on semi-fast services, stopping at places such as [[Loughborough railway station|Loughborough]], [[Market Harborough railway station|Market Harborough]] and [[Wellingborough railway station|Wellingborough]].
As part of the planned timetable change in December 2008 the Class 222 ''Meridians'' will be put on the hourly London St Pancras to Sheffield off-peak services, because they have faster acceleration than the High Speed Trainss and so will be able to reduce the Sheffield—London journey time by twelve minutes. All other Class 222 ''Meridians'' will continue to operate on their current routes.<ref>[http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/midland.php East Midlands Trains FAQ Page]</ref>
East Midlands Trains have removed one coach from the eight-car ''Meridians'' except for 222007, which has been reduced to five-cars.<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/emtrains/aboutus/news/#{2243FFDD-C675-4207-9435-9D611E927AA3}
| title = Changes to our trains
| date = [[2008-06-06]]
| publisher = [[East Midlands Trains]]
| accessdate = 2008-06-21
| quote= In preparation of our December 2008 timetable where we plan to run additional services we will be moving carriages between trains. Our smaller Meridian trains will get an extra carriage and some larger Meridian trains will lose one. By carrying out this work we will be improving our capacity on our smaller, busy trains in the peak hours where it is needed. Overall, we will reduce overcrowding at peak times.
}}
</ref> The surplus coaches were then be added to the remaining four-car Meridians to make six seven-car sets (222001 - 222006) and 17 five-car sets (222007 - 222023). This process started in March 2008 and only 222009/018/021 are left to have a coach inserted.{{when}} The delay with the last three sets is due to the coaches needing to be converted from first to standard class.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}
Some of the units are named, as follows.
{| class="wikitable"
!Unit number
!Name
!Date named
!Named by
|-
|align=center|222004
|[[Sheffield|''City Of Sheffield'']]
|[[29 March]] [[2007]]
|Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Jackie Drayton
|-
|align=center|222005
|[[Nottingham|''City Of Nottingham'']]
|[[30 January]] [[2007]]
|Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Des Wilson
|-
|align=center|222006
|[[Leicester|''City Of Leicester'']]
|[[7 March]] [[2007]]
|Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Paul Westley
|-
|align=center|222007
|[[Derby|''City Of Derby'']]
|[[17 May]] [[2007]]
|Mayor of Derby, Councillor John Ahern
|-
|}
===First Hull Trains===
[[Image:222104 at Kings Cross 3.jpg|thumb|Hull Trains 222104 at London Kings Cross]]
The train operating company [[First Hull Trains]] introduced Class 222 units, branded as 'Pioneers', to replace its [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170 ''Turbostars'']] in May 2005. The units reduced journey times between [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] and [[King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]] by up to twenty minutes. The Pioneers have a different interior colour scheme and less first-class seating than the Meridians. Hull Trains was renamed First Hull Trains in June 2008.
First Hull Trains' fleet consists of four four-car Pioneers, each named after a 'modern-day pioneer' related to Hull.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
||222101||''[[Professor George Gray]]''
|-
||222102||''[[Professor Stuart Palmer]]''
|-
||222103||''[[John Godber|Dr John Godber]]''
|-
||222104||''[[Sir Terry Farrell]]''
|-
|}
222103 is currently withdrawn from service following an accident during maintenance work, which wrote off two of the unit's four cars. It will take some time to replace these cars, leading Hull Trains to obtain alternative rolling stock. Initially, a preserved [[British Rail Class 86|Class 86]] locomotive and rake of [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3]] coaches were used on a shuttle to [[Doncaster]], where a ''Pioneer'' took passengers the rest of the way. The Class 86 and rolling stock was replaced by a pair of [[British Rail Class 180|Class 180 ''Adelante''s]] in April 2008.
East Midlands Trains have expressed interest in taking Hull Trains' fleet, should First Hull Trains decide to take on further Class 180s.
==Previous operators==
===Midland Mainline===
[[Image:Meridians at STP Int2.jpg|thumb|A [[Midland Mainline]] Class 222 ''Meridian'' at [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras]] on [[21 July]] [[2006]]]]
[[Midland Mainline]] introduced the first of twenty-three Class 222 units on [[31 May]] [[2004]], branding them as ''Meridian''. These replaced a fleet of [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170 ''Turbostars'']], which were transferred to [[Central Trains]]. The top speed of a Class 222 ''Meridian'' is {{convert|25|mph|abbr=on}} faster than a Class 170 ''Turbostar''. The Class 222 ''Meridians'' also have better acceleration than the Class 170 ''Turbostars'' and their interiors are better suited to long-distance travel.
Midland Mainline ordered the seven nine-car Class 222 ''Meridians'' for an enhanced [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras]] to [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] service, but after the trains had been ordered, the [[Strategic Rail Authority]] decided not to allow them to run the service.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The nine-car ''Meridians'' were instead used on London to [[Nottingham railway station|Nottingham]] and some London to [[Sheffield station|Sheffield]] services.
When the trains were ordered, Midland Mainline overestimated the number of first class customers who would use their services 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.
Initially the fleet consisted of seven nine-car units and sixteen four-car units but, 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 a new East Midlands rail franchise on Novmber 2007, the entire fleet of Class 222 ''Meridians'' is now operated by [[East Midlands Trains]].
==Class 222 in Ireland==
In 2005, [[HSBC Rail]] took delivery of the seven 9-car trains planned for use by Midland Mainline on their London-Leeds service. However, when the [[Strategic Rail Authority]] prevented MML from undertaking this service, the trains were left idle. HSBC Rail made contact with both [[Northern Ireland Railways]] and [[Iarnród Éireann]], with a view to possibly leasing these trains.<ref>[http://www.irrs.ie/Journal%20157/157%20News%20NIR.htm IRRS Journal 157]</ref> NIR considered using the trains on the [[Dublin-Belfast railway line|Belfast to Dublin line]] as one of a number of options, which included the purchase of additional [[IE 22000 Class|22000 Class]] railcars or cascaded coaching stock. In the event, the trains entered service with MML providing the fast services from London to Nottingham. The trains would have required significant modification to be used by NIR, which would have included 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 [[Rail gauge#Ireland|1600 mm gauge]] (5 ft 3 inches).
==Incidents==
[[Image:HPIM0775(2).jpg|thumb|222101 ''Professor George Gray'' approaching Doncaster station on [[4 September]] [[2007]]]]
{{See also|Hull Trains#Prolonged absence of 222103}}
In January 2007 eight jack supports failed leading to unit 222103 ''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.
A Hull Trains Pioneer service from Hull to London Kings Cross caught fire whilst travelling through Stevenage in Hertfordshire at approximately 19:20 BST on Friday [[10 August]] [[2007]]. The fire reported to take 30 minutes to extinguish and no injuries were reported, however the damage to the unit (number 222102) was not serious and it was back in service within two days.
==Fleet details==
{| class="wikitable"
!Class
!Operator
!No. Built
!Year Built
!Cars per Set
!Unit nos.
|-
|rowspan=3|'''Class 222/0'''
|rowspan=3|East Midlands Trains
|rowspan=3 align=center|23
|rowspan=3 align=center|2003
|align=center|7
|222001 - 222006
|-
|align=center|5
|222007 - 222008<br/>222010 - 222017<br/>222019 - 222020<br/>222022 - 222023
|-
|align=center|4
|222009<br/>222018<br/>222021
|-
|'''Class 222/1'''
|Hull Trains
|align=center|4
|align=center|2004
|align=center|4
|222101 - 222104
|-
|}
== Cycle storage problems ==
The trains have been criticised for providing less space for cycle carriage due to the lack of a guard's van, coinciding with increased demand for cycle space by passengers. A Meridian has space for only 2 bicycles in the cycle locker compared to storage for up to 6 cycles provided in the older high speed trains they replaced.
== External links ==
{{commonscat|British Rail Class 222}}
*[http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/ East Midlands Trains web site]
*[http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/ First Hull Trains web site]
*[http://www.bombardier.com/ Bombardier Website]
*[http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/gb/diesel/demu/222/pix.html Railfaneurope.net Class 222 picture gallery]
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{{British Rail DMU}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:British Rail diesel multiple units|222]]
[[Category:Bombardier products]]