Class 222 from EMR to Polmadie

[43074]

So a double whammy for the passengers in this disastrous transition to 810s and the loss of their trains to a dubious open access route. Should never have been allowed to happen this way, but it's one more blow to a route that's as neglected and sidelined now as it ever was in the 90s/00s.

Ridiculous statement - the route wasn't particularly sidelined in the 2000s as MML at the time doubled the frequency and ordered fleets of both 170s then the 222s to it to augment services alongside the HSTs - that arguably kick-started the growth in passenger numbers to support the case for remodelling Derby/Nottingham, linespeed upgrades, electrification (at the south end at least!) and so on in the last ten years. It is certainly not neglected or sidelined.

The 810s can't come soon enough as the 222s have been run into the ground, but I honestly doubt passengers will notice the difference with units stopped as short formations have been so common on services booked for 7 or 10 car 222s since the 180s were withdrawn and Hitachi took over the maintenance of the 222s it's just business as usual really.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Sorry if already answered on here- Will the 222s retain their First Class accommodation when Lumo put them into service? If not, will they be refurbished/First Class fitted with normal Standard Class seats?

 

[liamf656]

Sorry if already answered on here- Will the 222s retain their First Class accommodation when Lumo put them into service? If not, will they be refurbished/First Class fitted with normal Standard Class seats?

Complete refurbishment with first class removed

Realtime Trains | 5Q36 1001 Etches Park Sdgs to Widnes Transport Tech | 24/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q36 1001 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Widnes Transport Tech on 24/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

This I believe is 222001 to be refurbished. It hasn't yet left (as of midday)

 

[800001]

Complete refurbishment with first class removed

Realtime Trains | 5Q36 1001 Etches Park Sdgs to Widnes Transport Tech | 24/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q36 1001 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Widnes Transport Tech on 24/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

This I believe is 222001 to be refurbished. It hasn't yet left (as of midday)

Move cancelled.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Complete refurbishment with first class removed

Thank you. Any info regarding what's happening to the space behind each driving cab?

 

[InTheEastMids]

It looks like the next 222 has now left Derby en route to Alstom at Wigan, who are doubtless about to discover the full horror of what's lurking beneath those very threadbare carpets!
Based on what I've gathered from other people in the know, it is most likely to be 222001 but somebody else will need to confirm that.

Realtime Trains | 5Q36 1000 Etches Park Sdgs to Widnes Transport Tech | 01/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q36 1000 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Widnes Transport Tech on 01/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[liamf656]

Based on what I've gathered from other people in the know, it is most likely to be 222001 but somebody else will need to confirm that.

001 was debranded looking ready to go over the weekend. 002 I believe is still in the depot

 

[Railperf]

I'ts been suggested that WCML Lumo driver training is or will be initially limited to 100mph max, because the intructors are all freight drivers - without high-speed (100mph+) authoorisation.

 

[HMTrains]

It looks like the next 222 has now left Derby en route to Alstom at Wigan, who are doubtless about to discover the full horror of what's lurking beneath those very threadbare carpets!
Based on what I've gathered from other people in the know, it is most likely to be 222001 but somebody else will need to confirm that.

Realtime Trains | 5Q36 1000 Etches Park Sdgs to Widnes Transport Tech | 01/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q36 1000 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Widnes Transport Tech on 01/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Confirmed on RTT That its 222001

 

[Railperf]

001 was debranded looking ready to go over the weekend. 002 I believe is still in the depot

Meanwhile 003 and 004 out for EMR still.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

So a double whammy for the passengers in this disastrous transition to 810s and the loss of their trains to a dubious open access route. Should never have been allowed to happen this way

EMR was the one who ended its lease on the class 222s.

The rolling stock owner then made its expensive asset available for others to lease.

 

[Amos390]

At the moment, it appears that 222001 has been sent out to Widnes presumably to get painted into Lumo colours, and then 222002 is sat in Etches having been debranded (however as of sending this, it still wears it's nameplate of 'The Cutlers Company'), and then obviously 222005 been sent out for driver training/route learning. However it appears that EMR want to keep hold of 222003 and 004 for a bit longer, do we have an idea as to how much longer?

 

[liamf656]

At the moment, it appears that 222001 has been sent out to Widnes presumably to get painted into Lumo colours, and then 222002 is sat in Etches having been debranded (however as of sending this, it still wears it's nameplate of 'The Cutlers Company'), and then obviously 222005 been sent out for driver training/route learning. However it appears that EMR want to keep hold of 222003 and 004 for a bit longer, do we have an idea as to how much longer?

The lease on 003/004 ends in the next month or two

 

[Amos390]

The lease on 003/004 ends in the next month or two

OK, thanks

 

[Amos390]

We now have a schedule for 222002 to leave for Barton-Under-Needwood RSMD. ROG have put up 2 schedules, both identical, one this Tuesday and one this Thursday (Thursday's attached: https://live.rail-record.co.uk/train.php/?c=K49924&d=2026-01-15 ). Presuming that they'll run it out on the Thursday.

 

[Russel]

It looks like the next 222 has now left Derby en route to Alstom at Wigan, who are doubtless about to discover the full horror of what's lurking beneath those very threadbare carpets!

Probably similar to what Alstom Derby found when they received the first Voyager for refurb last year!

 

[XCTurbostar]

Paths in for ROG operated Class 222 Monday and Wednesday

Barton Depot-Preston-Euston-Crewe (or Stafford)-Barton Depot (or Wembley Depot)

Realtime Trains | 3Q30 0725 Barton Under Needwood Rsmd to Preston | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q30 0725 departure from Barton Under Needwood Rsmd to Preston on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q31 1040 Preston to London Euston | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q31 1040 departure from Preston to London Euston on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q32 1419 London Euston to Crewe | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q32 1419 departure from London Euston to Crewe on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q32 1419 London Euston to Stafford | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q32 1419 departure from London Euston to Stafford on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q33 1714 Stafford to Wembley Inter City Depot | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q33 1714 departure from Stafford to Wembley Inter City Depot on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q33 1700 Crewe to Barton Under Needwood Rsmd | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q33 1700 departure from Crewe to Barton Under Needwood Rsmd on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Amos390]

Paths in for ROG operated Class 222 Monday and Wednesday

Barton Depot-Preston-Euston-Crewe (or Stafford)-Barton Depot (or Wembley Depot)

Realtime Trains | 3Q30 0725 Barton Under Needwood Rsmd to Preston | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q30 0725 departure from Barton Under Needwood Rsmd to Preston on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q31 1040 Preston to London Euston | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q31 1040 departure from Preston to London Euston on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q32 1419 London Euston to Crewe | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q32 1419 departure from London Euston to Crewe on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q32 1419 London Euston to Stafford | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q32 1419 departure from London Euston to Stafford on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q33 1714 Stafford to Wembley Inter City Depot | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q33 1714 departure from Stafford to Wembley Inter City Depot on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3Q33 1700 Crewe to Barton Under Needwood Rsmd | 12/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q33 1700 departure from Crewe to Barton Under Needwood Rsmd on 12/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Yup, today's run was 222005 (still in unbranded EMR)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jan 2026 ==

Seen that 5R60 ran from Etches to Barton under Needwood today, was that 222002?

 

[Amos390]

I think that 222003 has finished up with EMR now, it’s been sat in Etches since the 10th January now with no movement on the mainline, leaving just 004 as the only remaining 7 car for EMR, and that unit seems to be covering for the services that will/should be an 810 due to it having more seats.

 

[QSK19]

This morning, I noticed that there was a single Meridian coach on the back of a transporter waiting in the middle of the M1 junction 24 roundabout.

Guessing it’s to do with reforming 001-005 to six-coach operation, whether it’s a surplus coach from one of 001-004 being removed for storage or going somewhere to be prepped in advance of lengthening 005?

From glancing at it very quickly, I think the coach number ended in 4, so presumably a coach from 222004?

 

[liamf656]

This morning, I noticed that there was a single Meridian coach on the back of a transporter waiting in the middle of the M1 junction 24 roundabout.

Guessing it’s to do with reforming 001-005 to six-coach operation, whether it’s a surplus coach from one of 001-004 being removed for storage or going somewhere to be prepped in advance of lengthening 005?

From glancing at it very quickly, I think the coach number ended in 4, so presumably a coach from 222004?

Not sure whether they'd remove coaches from 004 this soon (its last service was Sunday 25th) however 60544 is one of the MSO coaches in 002 (coach B) so it may be that

 

[Amos390]

Just seen the timetable out of Widnes today (where 222001 is) and so can see that 5Q58 has been activated to head to Litchurch Lane. Is this going to be 222001 and if so, what will it be going in for (paint or interior, or maybe mechanical parts)

 

[800001]

Just seen the timetable out of Widnes today (where 222001 is) and so can see that 5Q58 has been activated to head to Litchurch Lane. Is this going to be 222001 and if so, what will it be going in for (paint or interior, or maybe mechanical parts)

I thought Widnes could do paint and also mechanical?
Isn't that where Alstom Pendolino had there refurb etc done?

 

[dan4291]

Just seen the timetable out of Widnes today (where 222001 is) and so can see that 5Q58 has been activated to head to Litchurch Lane. Is this going to be 222001 and if so, what will it be going in for (paint or interior, or maybe mechanical parts)

This was a 180, don't know the number.

 

[samrammstein]

Hello, I haven't been following the 222s progress so I'm not aware of any numbers or context but I did spot this 222 (?) vehicle on a low loader outside Widnes Transport Tech when going past at 1300 today.

 

[Amos390]

Hello, I haven't been following the 222s progress so I'm not aware of any numbers or context but I did spot this 222 (?) vehicle on a low loader outside Widnes Transport Tech when going past at 1300 today.

Possibly part of 001 as that is in Widnes

 

[CR165022]

This was a 180, don't know the number.

180109

 

[fgwrich]

Hello, I haven't been following the 222s progress so I'm not aware of any numbers or context but I did spot this 222 (?) vehicle on a low loader outside Widnes Transport Tech when going past at 1300 today.

I wonder where they are being stored, or for that matter what the future holds for the spare vehicles?

 

[QSK19]

Hello, I haven't been following the 222s progress so I'm not aware of any numbers or context but I did spot this 222 (?) vehicle on a low loader outside Widnes Transport Tech when going past at 1300 today.

I suspect it’s the one referred to in posts 50 and 51. You’re correct in saying it’s a 222 vehicle.

 

[Chorley Cake]

Carriage 60342 was on a low loader on the M62 heading west towards Widnes, near Warrington on Wednesday 28th. Circa 11:30