British Rail Class 221

British Rail Class 221
Super Voyager
CrossCountry Class 221 at Leamington Spa in 2015
Standard Class interior of a CrossCountry Class 221
In service12 April 2002 – present (2002-04-12 – present)
ManufacturerBombardier Transportation
Built at
Family nameVoyager
Replaced
Constructed20012002
Number built44
Number in service38
SuccessorClass 805 & Class 807 (Avanti West Coast)
Formation
  • 4-car units:
    DMSL-MSRB-MSL(A)-DMFL
  • 5-car units:
    DMSL-MSRB-MSL(A)-MSL(B)-DMFL
Diagram
  • DMSL vehicles: DF210
  • MSRB vehicles: DG201
  • MSL vehicles: DG202
  • DMFL vehicles: DF101
Fleet numbers221101221144
Capacity
  • As built:
  • 4-car units: 186 seats
    (26 first-class, 160 standard)
  • 5-car units: 246 seats
    (26 first-class, 220 standard)
Operators
Depots
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length
  • DM vehs.: 23.85 m (78 ft 3 in)
  • Others: 23.67 m (77 ft 8 in)
Width2.73 m (8 ft 11 in)
Height3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
DoorsSingle-leaf sliding plug, two per side per car
WheelbaseBogies: 2.700 m (8 ft 10.3 in)
Maximum speed125 mph (200 km/h)
Axle loadApprox. 17 t (17 LT; 19 ST)
Traction systemAlstom Onix 800 IGBT, two traction motors per car
Prime mover(s)Cummins QSK19-R, one per car
Engine typeInline-6 turbo-diesel
Displacement19 L (1,159 cu in) per engine
Power output
  • 559 kW (750 hp) per engine
  • 350 kW (470 hp) per traction motor
UIC classification1A′A1′+1A′A1′+...+1A′A1′
BogiesBombardier HVP
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc) and rheostatic
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner 12
Multiple workingWithin class, and with Class 220
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 221 Super Voyager is a class of tilting diesel-electric multiple unit express passenger trains built in Bruges, Belgium and Wakefield, by Bombardier Transportation in 200102.

The class is similar to the Class 220 Voyager, but was built with a tilting mechanism enabling up to six degrees of tilt to allow higher speeds on curved tracks. Additionally, most have five coaches, and they have a different bogie design. They have a maximum speed of 125 mph (200 km/h).

The trains are divided between two operators, CrossCountry (25 sets) and Grand Central (two sets). CrossCountry sets had their tilt function disabled in 2008 to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs, and Grand Central sets do not use theirs, although they remain in place. There are also a number of additional sets in storage, having been stood down from Avanti West Coast in December 2024.