Class 221 Super Voyager DEMU

Class 221 testing and operations

Between 2001 and 2004 the class 221 Super Voyagers underwent test and commissioning running on the Monk Bretton branch near Wakefield and on the East Coast Main Line (ECML).

The class 221 units were built by Bombardier at their Horbury (Wakefield) and Bruges (Belgium) plants and consisted of 5 cars each having an underslung 750HP Cummins engine with alternator and two longitudinally mounted traction motors driving the final drives via cardan shafts. The units also featured rheostatic and friction braking and were capable of tilting at up to six degrees.

The class 220 units were known as Voyagers and were non-tilting but the tilting class 221 Super Voyagers had the same tapered body profile.

Serco staff were involved with all the initial test running under a specially written Class 221 Railway Safety Case on the Monk Bretton branch and the ECML, WCML and GW Zone. The units were delivered by rail to Crofton Depot which used to be a track assembly depot - see class 220 page for details and pictures of Crofton.

Serco undertook all the formal Acceptance Testing and a multitude of train operations on the class 221 fleet including commissioning runs on every unit, TASS commissioning and tilt testing etc.

Prior to commencing running tests the units underwent static testing at the RTC, Derby.

Click on the picture for a bigger image - all photos are the authors unless otherwise credited

	An unidentified class 221 shown in the EDU undergoing a sway test Author's collection
	The unit shows off its tilting ability in the safety of the workshop Author's collection

Commissioning running

Apart from the low speed running at Monk Bretton (see class 220 page) further commissioning runs took place on the ECML as far north as Edinburgh and even various round trips via Edinburgh to Carstairs, then Carlisle to Carnforth and on to Bolton, Manchester Victoria and back to Crofton were undertaken.

	A shot from the cab of a 221 unit as it negotiates the workshops at Horbury to gain access to the yard.
	Unit 221106 is pictured at Calder Bridge Jcn. between Crofton and Wakefield Kirkgate en route to Edinburgh in the summer of 2002
	221114 at Newcastle station after a run from Crofton sometime in March 2002
	After a run from Crofton 221109 awaits departure from Berwick-on-Tweed on the return trip.
	221109 pictured at Edinburgh after a test run from Crofton.

Tilt testing

By August 2002 tilting trials were well underway with unit 221101 on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) between Carnforth and Carlisle.

The line was fitted experimentally with Tilt And Speed Supervision (TASS) balises for test purposes. This allowed the train to exceed the normal line speed (Enhanced Permitted Speed) and EPS signs to this effect were erected along the route.

	At the end of July 2002 unit 221101 is pictured at Tebay in the company of a Pendolino set. Both trains were being prepared for separate overnight high speed tests between Tebay and Carlisle
	221101 pictured in the disused platform 7 at Preston en route to Carlisle on 1st August 2002
	On a misty August morning 221101 awaits in the headshunt outside Crofton depot ready for a trip to Carlisle
	221101 stands in the Up & Down Goods Loop at Carnforth after a run from Carlisle on 3rd August 2002
	Unit 221101 stands in platform 1 at Carlisle having just arrived from Carnforth on 3rd August 2002
	The driver's desk of a class 221 showing the small instruments and the large gap left for ERTMS drivers display - one day!
	221101 is pictured on the Goods Lines outside the former steam depot at Carlisle Upperby whilst adjustments are made in connection with the testing programme
	The driver of 221101 changes ends at Courock Junction during a turning move at Carlisle on 3rd August 2002
	221101 departs Carnforth for Carlisle on 3rd August 2002. It was during these trials that the train ran in tilting mode, the first time a tilting train had operated in normal traffic in the UK for almost 18 years.
	Following overnight tests 221101 is pictured on the S & C at Lowhouses when returning to Crofton on 13th October 2002
	221101 waits for the road at Hellifield on its way back to Crofton later that morning
	It was still undergoing tests when pictured in the sidings at Tebay on 17th November 2002

Other tests also took place on the ECML

	The driver is seen unlocking the cab door after changing ends at Darlington with the pucker 5-car version of 221101 on 5th March 2003
	221126 at Northallerton on 4th May 2003 whilst undertaking test work on ECML in relation to ballast fluidity on certain underbridges.
	221126 is pictured on the Up Goods line at Ferryhill on 4th May 2003 awaiting a run back to Northallerton

TASS testing

The line between Banbury and Oxford was one of the first to be fitted with Tilt And Speed Supervision (TASS) balises for test purposes. This line was usually limited to 90 mile/h but the Super Voyagers could run at an EPS of 110 mile/h. However this was later reduced to line speed for passenger service.

During the spring and summer of 2003 TASS commissioning took place on the route between Oxford and Banbury, unfortunately at night! The run down from Central Rivers depot in the early evening was usually straightforward but we often got stuck on the return journey which was invariably after midnight.

	221109 stands in the yard at Hinksey just south of Oxford on 10th March 2003,as an HST passes.
	On 11th March 2003 unit No: 221111 waits in the Goods Loop at Banbury for a test path south to Oxford
	221111 in 4-car formation passing Heyford Station heading for Oxford on 11th March 2003 at 11.04am Author's collection
	30 minutes later it was heading north back to Banbury Author's collection
	221111 approaching Heyford Station heading for Banbury later in the day Author's collection

In service

	On the ECML two unidentified class 221 sets pass Northallerton with an Up cross country service on 4th May 2003
	An unidentified class 221 heading north from Milford Tunnel on the Midland line on 6th May 2004
	An unidentified class 221 set heads south towards Toadmoor Tunnel on 7th June 2005
	On 27th June 2005 a 221 set is pictured on a Down service at Broadholme, between Belper and Ambergate.
	On 1st July 2005 an Up Cross Country service crosses the River Derwent and the A6 at Ambergate
	An unidentified class 221 set heads south from Wingfield Tunnel on 11th May 2006
	221124 at Sheffield with an Edinburgh service on 13th July 2006
	221127 arrives at Warrington Bank Quay with an Up service on 11th September 2006

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