Class 222

Class 222
Superalbs · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Class 222
Type	High-speed diesel multiple unit
Manufacturer	Bombardier Transportation / Adtranz
Yearservice	2004
Operator	East Midlands Railway; formerly Midland Mainline; later National Express East Midlands
Formation	4-car, 5-car, 7-car sets
Maxspeed	125 mph (200 km/h)
Gauge	1,435 mm (standard gauge)

Class 222

Class 222 is a high-speed diesel multiple unit passenger train built for intercity services. Manufactured by Bombardier Transportation (originally Adtranz) for operators including Midland Mainline and East Midlands Railway, it entered service in the early 2000s to replace older British Rail stock and to operate on mainlines such as the Midland Main Line and CrossCountry routes. The type shares design lineage with Class 220 and Class 221 and interacted with franchises overseen by Strategic Rail Authority and later the Department for Transport.

Overview

The Class 222 project was commissioned by private franchise holders including Midland Mainline following bidding processes regulated by the Office of Rail Regulation and contractual frameworks tied to the Franchising system. Intended to improve journeys on routes between London St Pancras and regional hubs like Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and Sheffield, the fleet complemented national services provided by operators such as CrossCountry and regional services aligned with policies from Transport for London and guidance from the Rail Safety and Standards Board. Procurement decisions referenced previous procurements like the introduction of InterCity 125 and subsequent modernizations exemplified by Pendolino and Voyager fleets.

Design and Technical Specifications

The Class 222 units were designed with aluminium bodies influenced by the Adtranz/Alstom family aesthetics, featuring powered bogies supplied by suppliers associated with Siemens partnerships. Traction is provided by diesel engines with Voith or Siemens transmissions and hydraulic/mechanical drive components similar to those used on Voyager derivatives. The units have a top speed matching standards set by the Railtrack upgrades and conform to European Rail Traffic Management System considerations for interoperability. On-board systems include passenger information supplied in line with specifications from Network Rail and seating configurations modeled after research from Passenger Focus and Transport Focus surveys. Accessibility features adhere to directives similar to those championed by Disability Rights Commission and later Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance.

Service History

Introduced amid franchise transitions involving Central Trains and Midland Mainline, Class 222 entered revenue service in the mid-2000s and became prominent during timetable changes overseen by Network Rail control periods. Units were rebranded under operators such as National Express and later East Midlands Trains before current operation by East Midlands Railway under contracts issued by the Department for Transport. The fleet was involved in capacity enhancements contemporaneous with infrastructure projects like the Thameslink Programme and station redevelopments at London St Pancras and Leicester railway station. Maintenance regimes were handled at depots such as Derby Etches Park and facilities linked to Bombardier and subcontractors governed by standards influenced by Rail Safety and Standards Board audits.

Operations and Routes

Class 222 regularly operated express services on the Midland Main Line between London St Pancras and cities including Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Loughborough, and Sheffield. Secondary duties included diagram allocations for services intersecting with CrossCountry itineraries and ad hoc workings during engineering diversions affecting lines like the East Coast Main Line and West Coast Main Line. During major events hosted at venues such as Wembley Stadium, Nottingham Forest F.C. fixtures, and Derby County F.C. matches, timetables were adjusted in coordination with National Rail Enquiries and local authorities including Leicestershire County Council and Derbyshire County Council.

Variants and Modifications

The fleet included 4-car, 5-car, and 7-car formations to match franchise capacity requirements, analogous to configurations seen in Class 220 and Class 221 fleets. Modifications over time covered interior refurbishments influenced by guidelines from Rail Safety and Standards Board and design changes to improve compliance with Disability Discrimination Act provisions and later Equality Act 2010 expectations. Technical upgrades encompassed improvements to braking systems referencing standards from Rail Research UK and retrofits for on-board wireless connectivity aligning with projects by Department for Transport pilot programmes. Some sets received noise mitigation measures following consultations with the Environment Agency and local councils such as Nottingham City Council.

Incidents and Safety Record

Class 222 units have been involved in a limited number of operational incidents investigated by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and regulated by the Office of Rail Regulation and later Office of Rail and Road. Investigations referenced signalling interactions with systems like Train Protection & Warning System and procedures documented by Network Rail and operator safety cases filed with HM Railway Inspectorate. Lessons from incidents contributed to updates in driver training overseen by Train Operating Companies and competency frameworks promoted by RSSB and industry safety initiatives in collaboration with trade unions such as ASLEF and RMT.

Category:British diesel multiple units