British Rail Class 220
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| British Rail Class 220 Voyager | |
|---|---|
 A CrossCountry Voyager at Birmingham New Street on 5 April 2008 |
|
| In service | 2001— |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Transportation |
| Family name | Voyager |
| Number built | 34 trainsets |
| Number in service | 34 trainsets |
| Formation | 4 cars per trainset |
| Capacity | 162 standard class, 26 first class |
| Operator | Current CrossCountry Previous Virgin Trains |
| Specifications | |
| Width | 2.73 m (8 ft 11 in) |
| Articulated sections | Flexible diaphragm (within unit only) |
| Maximum speed | 125 mph (200 km/h) |
| Weight | 185.6 t (182.7 LT; 204.6 ST) per trainset |
| Traction system | DEMU |
| Engine(s) | Cummins QSK19 @ 559 kW[1] |
| Power output | 3,000 hp (2,200 kW) |
| Transmission | Voith SK-450 electric-mechanical[1] |
| UIC classification | 1A'A1'+1A'A1'+1A'A1'+1A'A1'[1][2] |
| Braking system(s) | Rheostatic |
| Safety system(s) | AWS, TPWS |
| Coupling system | Dellner[3] |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The Class 220 Voyager are a class of diesel-electric high-speed multiple-unit trains built by Bombardier Transportation in 2000 and 2001
They were introduced in 2001 to replace the 30-year-old Intercity 125 and Class 47 fleets operating on the Cross Country Route for train operating company Virgin Trains.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Technical details
All coaches are equipped with a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine of 750 hp (560 kW) at 1800rpm. These power a generator which supplies current to motors driving two axles per coach.[5] with one axle per bogie powered.[6][7]
Voyagers have both air and rheostatic brakes. They are fitted with Dellner couplers, like the Class 390 Pendolino electric trains used by Virgin West Coast meaning they can be coupled in the event of a failure. As the computer hardware, software and electrical systems are not fully compatible they are not coupled in normal service.[citation needed] 220s and 221s can also be easily assisted by Dellner fitted class 57s (Thunderbirds) in the event of a failure. By use of adaptive couplings a failed 220 or 221 can also be assisted by any air braked locomotive such as a class 37,47 or 66 or even a HST.
The Class 220s and closely related Class 222s have B5005 bogies[1][6] which are distinctive due to the axles being supported by bearings between the wheels, meaning the outside face of the wheel is visible. The related Class 221 Super Voyager has bogies of more conventional appearance.
The Class 220s operate in four coach sets with a carriage mass of between 45 and 48 tonnes and a total train weight of 185.6 tonnes, a top speed of 125 mph (200 km/h) and a maximum range of approximately 1,350 miles (2,170 km) between each refuelling. Their route availability is very good being RA 2[5] - in part due to the lightweight bogie design.
All Voyagers are maintained at the Central Rivers depot near Burton-on-Trent.
[edit] Technical problems and incidents
The roof mounted resistors for the rheostatic (dynamic) brakes have caused a number of incidents: In one incident a small piece of wood from a tree had become lodged in these grids, which started a fire on the roof of the train.[citation needed]
Units have also been stopped due to waves breaking over the sea wall at Dawlish in storm conditions and inundating the resistor banks causing the control software to shut down the whole train,[8] - this problem was fixed by a software upgrade to the control software.[9]
There were a number of exhaust fires on the Voyager class during 2005–2006 due to incorrect fitting of equipment during overhauls; with fires occurring at Starcross (Class 221), Newcastle, and on 19th Jan 2006 at Congleton.[10]
On 14 March 2008 220 012[citation needed] forming a service from Bournemouth to Derby caught fire at Banbury.[11][12]
[edit] Formation and passenger facilities
Class 220s operate in four carriage sets. They are air-conditioned throughout, with powered doors. The coaches are fitted with at-seat audio entertainment systems and 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 and 162 seats in 2+2 formation in standard class. .
The formation of a four-car Class 220 is as follows:
- Coach A - First Class and driving cab
- Coach C - Standard Class
- Coach D - Standard Class with Shop/Buffet counter
- Coach F - Standard Class (Quiet Zone) with driving cab and reservable space for four bikes
CrossCountry Trains have finished updating the interior layout of all its 220 and 221 sets; their aim is to increase seating capacity, in line with their commitments to the franchise agreements, as well as provide an at-seat trolley service for refreshments instead of a shop. Their research had shown that the shop was not making as good a turnover as hoped due to the fact a lot of people prefer not to leave their seats to get refreshments; they feared either losing their seat or having their belongings stolen when away. It is worth pointing out that in Virgin Trains unsuccessful franchise bid they also cited removal of the shop from 220s and 221s as a way of trying to improve seating capacity. The interior renovation involves 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 a fridge, food storage and a space for an onbaord trolley to be stored. Bicycle storage is moved to coach D where the shop was. It can now store 3 bicycles instead of 4. The layout of the converted 220s is hence:
- Coach A - First Class and driving cab
- Coach C - Standard Class
- Coach D - Standard Class with storage for 3 bicycles
- Coach F - Standard Class (Quiet Zone) with driving cab and catering storage.
The Class 220s have been criticised for a number of shortcomings:
- Increased noise and vibration when compared to the non-powered Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaching stock they replaced due to the underfloor diesel engines.
- As the profile of the bodyshells is designed to allow clearance for tilting (although the Class 220s do not tilt, they use the same shell as the Class 221), the interior space is reduced when compared with conventional carriages.
- Initial problems with smells from the toilets being conducted into the carriages[citation needed] - this was due to the close proximity of the sewage tank outlet and other components[clarification needed].
- The four car sets are typically shorter than the trains they replaced - despite more frequent running overcrowding is a problem.
[edit] Operation
Virgin Trains were the sole operator of Class 220 Voyager trains when they were introduced in 2001.
When the CrossCountry was awarded the Cross Country Route rail franchise began on 11 November 2007 the Voyager fleet was shared between Virgin Trains and CrossCountry.
From 8 December 2007 CrossCountry became the sole operator of Class 220 units.
[edit] Fleet details
There are 34 Class 220 Voyager trains, numbered 220 001-220 034.
| Class | Operator | Number | Year Built | Cars per Set | Unit Numbers. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 220 | CrossCountry | 34 | 2002 | 4 | 220 001-220 034 |
Virgin Trains named all the Class 220 Voyagers after places that they serve or companies that have relations with Virgin Trains.
| 220 001 | Somerset Voyager | 220 018 | Dorset Voyager |
| 220 002 | Forth Voyager | 220 019 | Mersey Voyager |
| 220 003 | Solent Voyager | 220 020 | Wessex Voyager |
| 220 004 | Cumbrian Voyager | 220 021 | Staffordshire Voyager |
| 220 005 | Guildford Voyager | 220 022 | Brighton Voyager |
| 220 006 | Clyde Voyager | 220 023 | Mancunian Voyager |
| 220 007 | Thames Voyager | 220 024 | Sheffield Voyager |
| 220 008 | Welsh Dragon | 220 025 | Severn Voyager |
| 220 009 | Gatwick Voyager | 220 026 | Stagecoach Voyager |
| 220 010 | Ribble Voyager | 220 027 | Avon Voyager[13] |
| 220 011 | Tyne Voyager | 220 028 | Black Country Voyager |
| 220 012 | Lanarkshire Voyager | 220 029 | Cornish Voyager |
| 220 013 | South Wales Voyager | 220 030 | Devon Voyager |
| 220 014 | South Yorkshire Voyager | 220 031 | Tay Voyager |
| 220 015 | Solway Voyager | 220 032 | Grampian Voyager |
| 220 016 | Midland Voyager | 220 033 | Fife Voyager |
| 220 017 | Bombardier Voyager | 220 034 | Yorkshire Voyager |
When the Class 220s were transferred to the new operator CrossCountry all the names were removed. All Class 220 Voyagers are in CrossCountry livery.[14]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "[http://www.voithturbo.de/applications/documents/document_files/597_e_10_g_1603_e.pdf High-speed multiple units Virgin Voyager and Super Voyager with SK-450 final drives and cardan shafts]" (PDF). Voith. 2008-05. pp. 1–2. http://www.voithturbo.de/applications/documents/document_files/597_e_10_g_1603_e.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-13. "Drive configuration [diagram]"
- ^ "Cutting noise and smoothing the ride". Railway Gazette. 2000-08-01. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//cutting-noise-and-smoothing-the-ride.html. Retrieved 2009-03-13. "Bogies for the Voyager fleet are ... designated B5005. ... In the Voyager application, every car has a Cummins underfloor engine and alternator supplying power to a pair of body-mounted traction motors. Each drives one inner axle through a cardan shaft and axle-mounted final drive gearbox. Thus all 272 bogies are identical"
- ^ "System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles". http://www.rssb.co.uk/rv_coupling_system_data/list_index.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
- ^ "New Dawn for Virgin Trains". 05 June 2001. http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=121. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
- ^ a b "Class 220 data". The Railway Centre. 2008-06-02. http://www.therailwaycentre.com/New%20DMU%20Tech%20Data%20/DMU_220_221.html.
- ^ a b M-Size Bogies B5000 For Coach and EMU Applications
- ^ B5000 bogies bombardier
- ^ Virgin Trains chaos 'over by Christmas' bbc.co.uk
- ^ 2/12/2002 Voyager Train fleet "think smart" to operate past Devon sea storms virgintrainsmediaroom.com
- ^ Virgin Trains Cross Country news April 2006. Page 4 section 14
- ^ "Train fire at Banbury". Banbury Guardian. 14 March 2008. http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/Train-fire-at-Banbury.3881324.jp. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
- ^ Train Fire is out Oxford Mail 14th March 2008
- ^ Encyclopedia Of Modern Traction Names
- ^ Class 220 Fleet Details
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: British Rail Class 220 |
- Voyager tour and gallery (from Virgin Trains)
- Virgin Trains Voyager Seat Plans from V-Flyer, customer created site.
- Diesel Electric Multiple Unit, Class 220 “Voyager” - United Kingdom Bombardier Class 220 page
- Testing the class 220's
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
