Class 220 Voyager

Class 220 Voyager
Name	Class 220 Voyager
Service	2001–present
Manufacturer	Bombardier Transportation
Family	Voyager
Yearconstruction	1999–2002
Formation	4 cars per unit
Operator	CrossCountry
Depots	Longsight
Maxspeed	125 mph
Traction	diesel-hydraulic

Class 220 Voyager

The Class 220 Voyager is a high-speed diesel-hydraulic multiple-unit passenger train introduced in the early 2000s for intercity services. Built by Bombardier Transportation for use on long-distance routes, the type was deployed by several operators and saw service patterns involving major terminals and regional hubs. Its introduction intersected with franchise changes, procurement debates, and engineering programs that shaped early 21st-century British rail operations.

Introduction

The fleet entered service amid franchise awards involving companies such as Virgin Trains, National Express, and Arriva, connecting termini like London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Bristol Temple Meads, and Plymouth railway station. Procurement decisions referenced rolling stock strategies used by Network Rail, discussions in the House of Commons transport committees, and contemporaneous orders including the Class 221 Super Voyager and Class 221 family. The type’s deployment affected timetable planning at hubs such as Crewe railway station and influenced stock cascades from operators including FirstGroup and Stagecoach Group.

Design and Technical Specifications

The units were designed by Bombardier’s engineering teams influenced by projects with Alstom and specifications from Railtrack and Rail Safety and Standards Board. Each four-car set uses diesel-hydraulic transmission with engines supplied under contracts referencing suppliers like MTU Friedrichshafen and drivetrain components similar to those in units ordered by Deutsche Bahn and SNCF. Maximum speed is 125 mph, compatible with infrastructure managed by Network Rail and signalling systems overseen by Office of Rail and Road. Bogie design and crashworthiness met standards advocated by Rail Accident Investigation Branch and European norms reflected in directives from the European Committee for Standardization. On-board systems include passenger information units linked to ticketing frameworks like those negotiated by the Association of Train Operating Companies.

Manufacturing and Entry into Service

Manufacture took place at Bombardier works coordinated with supply chains involving contractors such as Siemens sub-suppliers and component vendors used by Hitachi Rail. Testing programs involved route validation on corridors between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads and performance trials overseen by engineers with backgrounds at British Rail and consultants from Atkins. Entry into service coincided with timetable revisions published by operators including Virgin CrossCountry and regulatory acceptance by the Office of Rail Regulation. Leasing arrangements were brokered via rolling stock companies like Angel Trains and Eversholt Rail Group.

Operational History

Operational patterns reflected franchise reconfigurations affecting CrossCountry and services interlinking Edinburgh Waverley and Plymouth railway station. The fleet experienced deployment across the West Coast Main Line and Great Western Main Line corridors, interacting with signalling upgrades at locations like Crewe and infrastructure works led by Network Rail programmes. Crew training involved unions such as the RMT and ASLEF, while performance metrics were reported to authorities including the Department for Transport and scrutinised by the Transport Select Committee. Over time the units were reallocated in response to procurement of new electric units by operators including Great Western Railway and TransPennine Express.

Variants and Modifications

Modifications included retrofits for passenger information systems comparable to upgrades seen in fleets like the Class 390 Pendolino and refits aligning with accessibility regulations enforced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and legislation originating from the Disability Discrimination Act transitions. Some units received equipment swaps coordinated with suppliers such as Wabtec and signal interface work reflecting standards from the Rail Standards and Safety Board. Operationally related types include the diesel-electric Class 221 Super Voyager and diesel variants procured by other franchises like Virgin Trains and Arriva Trains Wales.

Incidents and Safety Record

The type’s safety history was documented in reports by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and investigated in incidents affecting services at sites such as Bicester and Tamworth. Investigations referenced interoperability issues with points and signalling equipment maintained under Network Rail programmes and prompted recommendations to suppliers and operators including Bombardier and leasing companies like Angel Trains. Crew and infrastructure factors were considered alongside vehicle design, with outcomes informing subsequent procurement advice issued to the Department for Transport and reviews by the Health and Safety Executive.

Preservation and Future Developments

As operators modernise fleets—driven by corporate strategies at Arriva and electrification projects championed by the UK Government—some units face cascades to secondary operators or storage negotiated with leasing companies including Eversholt Rail Group. Preservation interest has emerged from heritage bodies such as the National Railway Museum and volunteer groups similar to those supporting preserved examples of British Rail Class 47 and InterCity 125 sets. Future developments consider retrofitting emissions-reduction technologies inspired by projects at Transport for London and partnerships involving manufacturers like Hitachi and Alstom to align with policy goals overseen by the Department for Transport and environmental frameworks advocated by the Committee on Climate Change.

Category:Bombardier rolling stock