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Class 222 Meridian Bombardier high speed DMU (DEMU) - Class 222 High Speed Diesel-Electric multiple units Class 222 DEMUs are built of steel in 2004-2005 by Bombardier Bruges. Class 222 trains now comprise 4 or 5-car sets and have a maximum speed of 125 mph. Some (all ?) of the high speed Class 222 DMUs cover the routes from St Pancras to Leicester, Derby and Nottingham in the East Midlands and Sheffield in South Yorkshire
A history of the Class 222 DEMUs
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EMU Class 222 set 222019 entering Leicester station with an East Midlands Railways service from Sheffield to St Pancras station London (March 2023)
In the latest livery, DMUE Class 222 unit 222018 with an EMR London St Pancras to Sheffield service standing Leicester station (March 2023)
Class 222 DMU 222008, a rare Class 220 DMU sight at York, not sure for which train? (02/02/2019)
Class 222 22104 entering Leicester station with a 4 carriage East Midlands train for London, St Pancras (June, 2017).
Class 222 set 222104 passing by Knighton, south-west of Leicester with an East Midlands train service for London St Pancras
High speed electric multiple unit Class 222 014 (Class 222 high speed DMU 222014) at St Pancras International station.
Meridian Bombardier Class 222 DMU set 222015 with an East Midlands express train leaving Leicester with a London St Pancras to Sheffield.
Express Class 222 DMU 4-car unit 222103 approaching Market Harborough station with an East Midlands train for London St Pancras
Express DMU Class 222 222010 (222 010) standing in Leicester Station with an East Midlands train for London St Pancras.
Class 222 express DMU 222009 entering Market Harborough station with an East Midlands express train for London St Pancras
An East Midlands Express Passenger train at Sheffield Station bound for London St Pancras Station. High speed diesel multiple unit Class 222 007 (22207)
Class 222 DMU 222019 not stopping at Market Harborough with a train from St Pancras to the East Midlands
Class 222 007 (express DMU 222007) at Leicester station.
Class 222 02? express train entering Leicester station with Class 222 020 (DMU 220020) at the rear.
DMU Class 222 222022 entering Market Harborough station with an East Midlands train for Nottingham
On the right at Leicester Station Class 222 004 (222004) with an East Midlands train for Nottingham (Class 43 train on left)
Class 222 express DMU unit 222020 at Market Harborough station with an East Midlands train from the East Midlands to London St Pancras station
Class 222 DMU East Midlands express trains approaching Leicester with trains from Sheffield and Derby for London St Pancras. Above Class 222/0 DMU 222014 and below Class 222/1 DMU 222101 (May 2015)
Class 222 express EMU train heading south from Leicester with an East Midlands train for London St Pancras. On the left is curved loop freight line round to South Wigston station
Class 222 DMU 222103 with an East Midlands express service from Nottingham to London, here near Wigston south-west of Leicester. A history of Class 222 DEMUs The Class 222 “Meridian” family is the final and most
advanced member of the Bombardier Voyager DEMU lineage, built 2003–2005
for Midland Mainline and Hull Trains. Below is a full, structured, deeply detailed history—exactly the kind of comparative, technical synthesis you enjoy. Overview of the Class 222 DEMUsThe Class 222 is a high‑speed diesel‑electric multiple unit
(DEMU) designed for long‑distance intercity services.
The 222s introduced improved ride quality, better interiors, and more flexible formations compared with earlier Voyagers. 1. Origins and Procurement of the Class 222 DEMUs (Late 1990s–2001)Why were Class 222 DEMUs were orderedIn the late 1990s, Midland Mainline needed a modern fleet to replace:
The new trains had to:
Contract award
2. Construction and Design of the Class 222 DEMUs (2002–2005)Build details
Key design improvements over Class 220/221
3. Technical Characteristics of the Class 222 DEMUsPower and traction of the Class 222 DEMUs
Formations of the Class 222 DEMUs
Couplers of the Class 222 DEMUs
4. Entry Into Service of the Class 222 DEMUs (2003–2004)Midland Mainline
Hull Trains
5. Operational History of the Class 222 DEMUsA. Midland Mainline → East Midlands Trains → East Midlands RailwayThe 222s passed through several franchise changes:
They remain the flagship diesel intercity fleet on the Midland Main Line. Key duties of the Class 222 DEMUs
B. Hull Trains (2004–2009)
6. Refurbishments and Upgrades of the Class 222 DEMUs2011–2012
2019–2021 (EMR)
7. Fleet Changes and Reformations of the Class 222 DEMUsLengthening
Reallocation
Current fleet
8. Withdrawal Plans of the Class 222 DEMUsThe Class 222s are expected to remain in service into the 2030s, but their long‑term future is uncertain due to:
No firm withdrawal date has been announced. 9. Significance of the Class 222 DEMUsThe Class 222 is historically important because it is:
They also represent the end of an era: after the 222s, Britain never again ordered a large fleet of high‑speed diesel intercity trains.
docspics images of Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays photos of Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays photographs of Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays pictures of Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays © Dr Phil Brown * Treyn Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery to Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland top class hotels in Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays dining out travel tours top tourist destinations tourist information on Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays weekend breaks mini-breaks family holidays restaurants touring coach trips from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays continental tours cruise ships pleasure cruises summer breaks spring breaks continental winter breaks European winter holidays spring holidays summer holidays European Rail tours Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains European Rail tours US and Canadian Railway travel holidays special steam excursions to Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Travelling by train from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery either in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of the railways of Europe! The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets to the Continent eg Paris Brussels Avignon or railway tours across France, Holland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Asia or China for a travel spectacular Class 222 DMU rail tour holidays Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire * Carlisle Station * Clapham Junction Station, London * Colton Junction, south of York * Coventry * Crewe Station * Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station * Leicester station * Newcastle Station * Northallerton Station * Nuneaton Station * Peterborough * Sheffield Station * Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML * York Station See other TOPS classes of diesels and electrics * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 * Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 * Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195 * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730 * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 * Class 805 * Class 3000 * INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES |
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