| service = 21 May 2001–present<ref>{{cite web |url= https://mediarail.be/Grande-Bretagne/Grandes%20lignes/Virgin%20Rail/VR02-eng.htm |title= InterCity CrossCountry franchise by Virgin (1997 - 2007 |quote= Voyager's first complete train was completed in Belgium in autumn 2000, and arrived in Britain in January 2001 for testing. On May 21 of the same year, a first unplanned service, open to the public, was operated from Birmingham to Reading. The official launch of Voyagers took place on June 5, 2001 by Sir Richard Branson. |access-date= 24 September 2025}}</ref>
| yearconstruction = 2000–2001
| yearconstruction = 2000–2001
| weight = {{convert|185.6|t|lk=on|abbr=on}} per unit
| weight = {{convert|185.6|t|lk=on|abbr=on}} per unit
Line 54:
Line 54:
The Class 220s operate in four-coach sets with a carriage mass of between 45 and 48{{nbsp}}tonnes and a total train weight of 185.6{{nbsp}}tonnes, a top speed of {{convert|125|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}, and a maximum range of approximately {{convert|1350|mi}} between each refuelling. Their [[route availability]] is very good being RA 2<ref name="specs"/> - in part due to the lightweight bogie design.
The Class 220s operate in four-coach sets with a carriage mass of between 45 and 48{{nbsp}}tonnes and a total train weight of 185.6{{nbsp}}tonnes, a top speed of {{convert|125|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}, and a maximum range of approximately {{convert|1350|mi}} between each refuelling. Their [[route availability]] is very good being RA 2<ref name="specs"/> - in part due to the lightweight bogie design.
Class 220 units are fitted with an AB Hoses variable rate sanding system.
Class 220 units are fitted with an AB Hoses variable rate sanding system.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
All ''Voyagers'' are maintained at the dedicated [[Central Rivers TMD]] near [[Burton-on-Trent]].
All ''Voyagers'' are maintained at the dedicated [[Central Rivers TMD]] near [[Burton-on-Trent]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
===Accidents and incidents===
==Current operations==
Units have sometimes been stopped by salt water, when storm-driven waves broke over the train at [[Dawlish]] in south Devon and inundated the resistor banks, causing the control software to shut down.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2494379.stm |title=Virgin Trains chaos 'over by Christmas' |work=BBC News |date=20 November 2002}}</ref> This problem was fixed by an upgrade to the control software.<ref>{{cite press release |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061016083818/http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=272 |archive-date=16 October 2006 |date=2 December 2002 |url= http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=272 |title= Voyager Train fleet "think smart" to operate past Devon sea storms |publisher=Virgin Trains}}</ref>
There were a number of exhaust fires on the ''Voyager'' class during 2005–2006 due to incorrect fitting of equipment during overhauls. Fires occurred at [[Starcross]] (Class 221), Newcastle, and on 19 January 2006 at [[Congleton]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/img/aboutus/downloads/CrossCountry%20News%20April%2006.pdf |title=Virgin Trains Cross Country news April 2006 |page=4 |department=Section 14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926224803/http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/img/aboutus/downloads/CrossCountry%20News%20April%2006.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2006}}</ref>
On 26 May 2006, a passenger was murdered aboard unit 220005 as it approached [[Oxenholme Lake District railway station|Oxenholme]] whilst working the Glasgow to Paignton service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/nov/10/ukcrime|title=Life sentence for train murder of student|last1=Staff|date=2006-11-10|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-01-11|last2=agencies|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
On 14 March 2008, unit 220012, forming a service to {{Stnlnk|Derby}}, had a roof fire at {{Stnlnk|Banbury}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/Train-fire-at-Banbury.3881324.jp |title=Train fire at Banbury |work=[[Banbury Guardian]] |date=14 March 2008 |access-date=13 February 2009 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619122253/http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/Train-fire-at-Banbury.3881324.jp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2122245.train_fire_is_out/ |title= Train Fire is out |work= Oxford Mail |date=14 March 2008}}</ref> This fire was caused by a bird getting caught under one of the hot brake resistors on the roof of the train. Damage to the train was not serious and it was repaired and returned to service.
==Formation and passenger facilities==
{{more citations needed section|date=May 2016}}
[[File:220001 First Class Interior.jpg|thumb|First Class interior|left]]
Class 220s operate in four-coach sets. These trains, unlike the older trains they replaced, feature electronic information displays on the exterior walls showing the train number, the departure time, the coach, the train's destination, and the next station. This is also a feature of the {{brc|221}} and {{brc|222}} trains (the {{brc|390}} trains also have such electronic information displays, but in the doors). They are air-conditioned throughout, with powered doors. The coaches are fitted with power sockets for laptop computers and [[mobile phone]] charging. Toilet facilities for disabled people and storage facilities for bicycles are provided.
They provide 26 seats in 2+1 formation in [[First class travel|first class]] and 174 seats in 2+2 formation in standard class.
The formation of a four-car Class 220 is as follows:<ref name="Diesel Multiple Units 2010"/>
* 604XX - Coach A - 26 seats - First class with disabled area, train manager office, first class catering area, and driving cab. Toilet.
* 602XX - Coach C - 66 seats - Standard class. Toilet.
* 607XX - Coach D - 66 seats - Standard class with large luggage area and reservable space for three bikes. No toilet.
* 603XX - Coach F - 42 seats - Standard class with disabled area, catering base, and driving cab. Toilet.
There is no coach B on the four-car class 220; it exists on the five-car Class 221 and is usually a coach which holds no reservations. This aids short-term fleet changes, for example if a Class 220 is running in a diagram that usually has a Class 221, then the loss of a coach will not affect the reservation system, as they will all still be allocated.
[[CrossCountry]] has finished updating the interior layout of all its 220 and 221 sets. The interior renovation involved the removal of the shop from coach D and the conversion of the stowage area in coach F to a catering storage area where there is now a fridge, food storage, and a space for an on-board trolley to be stored. Bicycle storage has been moved to coach D where the shop was. It can now store three bicycles instead of four. The aim is to increase seating capacity, in line with its commitments to the franchise agreements, as well as to provide an at-seat trolley service for refreshments instead of a shop. Research had shown that the shop was not making as good a turnover as hoped because people prefer not to leave their seats to get refreshments; they feared either losing their seat or having their belongings stolen when away.
==Operations==
[[File:5300455160 770b10a0cf Steve Jones.jpg|thumb|Class 220 ''New Dawn'' in 2001]]
[[File:5300455160 770b10a0cf Steve Jones.jpg|thumb|Class 220 ''New Dawn'' in 2001]]
[[File:Dawlish Warren MMB 07 South Devon Main Line 220032.jpg|thumb|CrossCountry Class 220 near [[Dawlish railway station|Dawlish]] in 2009]]
[[File:Dawlish Warren MMB 07 South Devon Main Line 220032.jpg|thumb|CrossCountry Class 220 near [[Dawlish railway station|Dawlish]] in 2009]]
{{main|Cross Country Route}}
{{main|Cross Country Route}}
All units are owned by [[Beacon Rail]], after they were purchased from Voyager Rail Leasing,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beacon Rail buys Voyager DEMU fleet |author= |work=Railway Gazette International |date=24 July 2017 |url= https://www.railwaygazette.com/traction-and-rolling-stock/beacon-rail-buys-voyager-demu-fleet/44881.article}}</ref> a consortium of [[Lloyds Banking Group]] and [[Angel Trains]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pritchard |first1=Robert |last2=Hall |first2=Peter |title=British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2013 |year=2013 |publisher=Platform 5 Publishing |location=Sheffield |isbn=978-1-909431-02-7 |pages=245–6, 373 }}</ref> They are leased to the [[train operating company|train operating companies]]; {{as of|2013|lc=on}}, [[CrossCountry]] is the only operator of Class 220 units.
All units are owned by [[Beacon Rail]], after they were purchased from Voyager Rail Leasing,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beacon Rail buys Voyager DEMU fleet |author= |work=Railway Gazette International |date=24 July 2017 |url= https://www.railwaygazette.com/traction-and-rolling-stock/beacon-rail-buys-voyager-demu-fleet/44881.article}}</ref> a consortium of [[Lloyds Banking Group]] and [[Angel Trains]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pritchard |first1=Robert |last2=Hall |first2=Peter |title=British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2013 |year=2013 |publisher=Platform 5 Publishing |location=Sheffield |isbn=978-1-909431-02-7 |pages=245–6, 373 }}</ref> They are leased to the [[train operating company|train operating companies]]; {{as of|2013|lc=on}}, [[CrossCountry]] is the only operator of Class 220 units.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
Virgin CrossCountry was the sole operator of Class 220 ''Voyager'' trains when they were introduced in 2001. When the [[Cross Country Route]] franchise was transferred to Arriva CrossCountry in November 2007, most of the Voyager fleet was transferred with it, and by the end of 2007 CrossCountry was the sole operator of Class 220 units.
Virgin CrossCountry was the sole operator of Class 220 ''Voyager'' trains when they were introduced in 2001. When the [[Cross Country Route]] franchise was transferred to Arriva CrossCountry in November 2007, most of the Voyager fleet was transferred with it, and by the end of 2007 CrossCountry was the sole operator of Class 220 units.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
Class 220 units often operate in multiple with {{brc|221}} units, which are mechanically similar except for their bogies and have the same coupler type.
Class 220 units often operate in multiple with {{brc|221}} units, which are mechanically similar except for their bogies and have the same coupler type.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
==Fleet details==
==Fleet details==
Line 99:
Line 73:
!Operator
!Operator
!Number
!Number
!Year Built
!Year built
!Cars per Set
!Cars per Set
!Unit No.
!Unit No.
Line 106:
Line 80:
|[[CrossCountry]]
|[[CrossCountry]]
|align=center|34
|align=center|34
|align=center|2000–01
|align=center|2000–2001
|align=center|4
|align=center|4
|220001–034
|220001–034
Line 149:
Line 123:
* 220033 ''Fife Voyager''.<ref name="MLI" />
* 220033 ''Fife Voyager''.<ref name="MLI" />
* 220034 ''Yorkshire Voyager''.<ref name="MLI" />
* 220034 ''Yorkshire Voyager''.<ref name="MLI" />
== Accidents and incidents ==
Units have sometimes been stopped by salt water, when storm-driven waves broke over the train at [[Dawlish]] in south Devon and inundated the resistor banks, causing the control software to shut down.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 November 2002 |title=Virgin Trains chaos 'over by Christmas' |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2494379.stm |work=BBC News}}</ref> This problem was fixed by an upgrade to the control software.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Voyager Train fleet "think smart" to operate past Devon sea storms |date=2 December 2002 |publisher=Virgin Trains |url=http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=272 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016083818/http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=272 |archive-date=16 October 2006}}</ref>
There were a number of exhaust fires on the ''Voyager'' class during 2005–2006 due to incorrect fitting of equipment during overhauls. Fires occurred at [[Starcross]] (Class 221), Newcastle, and on 19 January 2006 at [[Congleton]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Virgin Trains Cross Country news April 2006 |page=4 |url=http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/img/aboutus/downloads/CrossCountry%20News%20April%2006.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926224803/http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/img/aboutus/downloads/CrossCountry%20News%20April%2006.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2006 |department=Section 14}}</ref>
On 14 March 2008, unit 220012, forming a service to {{Stnlnk|Derby}}, had a roof fire at {{Stnlnk|Banbury}}.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 March 2008 |title=Train fire at Banbury |url=http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/Train-fire-at-Banbury.3881324.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619122253/http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/Train-fire-at-Banbury.3881324.jp |archive-date=19 June 2009 |access-date=13 February 2009 |work=[[Banbury Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 March 2008 |title=Train Fire is out |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2122245.train_fire_is_out/ |work=Oxford Mail}}</ref> This fire was caused by a bird getting caught under one of the hot brake resistors on the roof of the train. Damage to the train was not serious and it was repaired and returned to service.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 162:
Line 143:
== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|British Rail Class 220}}
{{Commons category|British Rail Class 220}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090620190701/http://bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/projects/details?docID=0901260d800128b6 Diesel Electric Multiple Unit, Class 220 "Voyager" - United Kingdom] Bombardier Class 220 page
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090620190701/http://bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/projects/details?docID=0901260d800128b6 Diesel Electric Multiple Unit, Class 220 "Voyager" - United Kingdom] Bombardier Transportation
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110517221737/http://www.traintesting.com/Class_220.htm Testing the Class 220s]
All coaches are equipped with a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine of Script error: No such module "convert". at 1,800Script error: No such module "String".rpm. These power a generator which supplies current to motors driving two axles per coach,[2] with one axle per bogie powered.[3][4]
Voyagers have both air and rheostatic brakes. They are fitted with Dellner couplers, like the Class 222 operated by East Midlands Railway and the Class 390 Pendolino electric trains used by Avanti West Coast, meaning they can be coupled in rescue/recovery mode (air brake only) in the event of a failure. 220s and 221s can also be easily assisted by Dellner fitted Class 57s (Thunderbirds) in the event of a failure. By use of adaptor couplings a failed 220 or 221 can also be assisted by any air braked locomotive.
The Class 220s and closely related Class 222s have B5005 bogies,[3][5] which are distinctive as they are of inside-frame design and so the axles are supported by bearings behind the wheels, meaning the outside face of the wheel is visible. The related tilting Class 221 Super Voyager has outside-frame bogies and hence a more conventional appearance.
The Class 220s operate in four-coach sets with a carriage mass of between 45 and 48Script error: No such module "String".tonnes and a total train weight of 185.6Script error: No such module "String".tonnes, a top speed of Script error: No such module "convert"., and a maximum range of approximately Script error: No such module "convert". between each refuelling. Their route availability is very good being RA 2[2] - in part due to the lightweight bogie design.
Class 220 units are fitted with an AB Hoses variable rate sanding system.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Virgin CrossCountry was the sole operator of Class 220 Voyager trains when they were introduced in 2001. When the Cross Country Route franchise was transferred to Arriva CrossCountry in November 2007, most of the Voyager fleet was transferred with it, and by the end of 2007 CrossCountry was the sole operator of Class 220 units.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Class 220 units often operate in multiple with Template:Brc units, which are mechanically similar except for their bogies and have the same coupler type.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Units have sometimes been stopped by salt water, when storm-driven waves broke over the train at Dawlish in south Devon and inundated the resistor banks, causing the control software to shut down.[11] This problem was fixed by an upgrade to the control software.[12]
There were a number of exhaust fires on the Voyager class during 2005–2006 due to incorrect fitting of equipment during overhauls. Fires occurred at Starcross (Class 221), Newcastle, and on 19 January 2006 at Congleton.[13]
On 14 March 2008, unit 220012, forming a service to Derby, had a roof fire at Banbury.[14][15] This fire was caused by a bird getting caught under one of the hot brake resistors on the roof of the train. Damage to the train was not serious and it was repaired and returned to service.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".