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Classes 220, 221 and 222 are similar high speed DEMUs built by Bombardier between 2000 and 2005. In total 105 units were built in various configurations for long-distance services. Cross Country, East Midlands and Grand Central all currently operate these trains but Avanti have recently replaced theirs.
The 34 4-car Class 220s were initially built for Virgin Trains Cross Country franchise and entered service in 2001. They were followed by 40 5-car and 4 4-car Class 221s, also for Virgin but split between the Cross Country and West Coast franchises. Virgin christened them Voyagers, a name that has stuck. The 221s differed by being equipped with a tilting mechanism.
When Virgin lost the Cross Country franchise the Class 220s and 23 of the Class 221s passed to Arriva, the new franchisee, in 2007. A 24th unit later went to Arriva. The tilting mechanism on the Cross Country 221s has been disabled. The remaining Class 221s stayed with Virgin West Coast then moved with the franchise to Avanti in 2019.
The 27 Class 222 units are a non-tilting development of the earlier Classes 220 and 221. They were built for East Midlands Trains and Hull Trains and introduced in 2004. When built there were 7 9-car sets and 16 4-car sets for EMT and 4 4-car sets for Hull Trains. The former Hull Trains sets are currently used by East Midlands.
All are now with East Midlands Railway, the present East Midlands franchisee, and are in the process of being reformed to produce 4 7-car units and 23 5-car sets.
When Virgin lost the Cross Country franchise the Class 220s and 23 of the Class 221s passed to Arriva, the new franchisee, in 2007. A 24th unit later went to Arriva. The tilting mechanism on the Cross Country 221s has been disabled. The remaining Class 221s stayed with Virgin West Coast then moved with the franchise to Avanti in 2019.
The 27 Class 222 units are a non-tilting development of the earlier Classes 220 and 221. They were built for East Midlands Trains and Hull Trains and introduced in 2004. When built there were 7 9-car sets and 16 4-car sets for EMT and 4 4-car sets for Hull Trains. The former Hull Trains sets are currently used by East Midlands.
All are now with East Midlands Railway, the present East Midlands franchisee, and are in the process of being reformed to produce 4 7-car units and 23 5-car sets.
