222 contract for Scotrail: updates (not speculation)

[ChilliSauce]

Well the argument for cancelling the electrification twice now has been "we've got these bi-mode trains, and them up north don't mind diesel fumes, so they're perfect for the job". If the bi-modes didn't exist, there was clear agreement that the MML needed wiring, and I believe we would be seeing it almost complete by now.

The 810's have been specced to match the 222 performance. While they may have slightly better acceleration under electric mode, evidence is suggesting they're slightly worse than the 222's on diesel - bye bye any chance of timetable improvements - even if you could fit a faster journey in on the bottom part of the MML.

Blame "Failing Grayling" .. he cancelled electrification of the MML.

 

[Merle Haggard]

Blame "Failing Grayling" .. he cancelled electrification of the MML.

Private Eye reminded us recently that, at the time, he said (in effect) this was because 'bi-modes could be in service long before electrification would be complete'.

 

[hexagon789]

I was returning to Edinburgh from Center Parcs at Penrith yesterday and an empty unit, no interior lights on and in EMT passed us at speed at Penrith station.

I presume this is one of the potentially first units to move up here for refurb?

I suspect its one destined for Lumo.

 

[DDB]

Does this mean all the Voyager type trains that were expected to become available are now taken?
I ask because they are often proposed to be used in open access applications.

 

[tfw756rider]

Does this mean all the Voyager type trains that were expected to become available are now taken?
I ask because they are often proposed to be used in open access applications.

Not yet, but CrossCountry are asking the Department for Transport to acquire 8 more 221s (6 of which are in store, 2 of which will be replaced on Grand Central with 820s) in addition to the 12 ("no, you can have 7, oh OK fine you can have 12") that they already acquired from Avanti from 2024. So if CrossCountry get all 8, there won't be any left for open access operators.

Modern Railways said, in February 2026:

CrossCountry makes the case for extra ‘221s’

CrossCountry wants to add an extra eight Class 221s to its fleet.

The operator also explained that whilst some have called for the Class 220/221 fleet to be replaced now rather than refurbished, changes in the money market have forced the industry to move away from the attitude of “building a new train will be cheaper than refurbishing an old one”.

With this in mind and reflecting continued demand for capacity on XC services, the operator has presented a business case to take on the 6x5-car sets released by Avanti West Coast and stored at Derby Litchurch Lane (Nos 221101-106) as well as the 2x5-car sets on short-term hire to Grand Central (Nos 221142/143) when they become available. “Putting the whole fleet together in the business would be the best solution,” an insider noted to Modern Railways, and should the proposal be rejected by the Department for Transport then passengers facing overcrowding will know…

 

[WesternLancer]

I’ve waited a while to post about the Gangway Squeaks but I’ll say this, they only come about due to lack of maintenance. It is the rubber bushes between the gangway and coupler (HST corridors effectively float on top of the Alliance coupler head with the base connected to the coupler bar) which overtime wear out causing the creaking and groaning. If they were regularly greased and or replaced, then they wouldn’t be an issue. I’ll accept there’s a lot of them for anyone to maintain but it’s a simple fix.

Thanks. Helpful to read.

 

[liamf656]

222104 is expected to depart EMR within the next month (last day in service today)

 

[RiverDon]

Does anyone know which specific unit numbers is Scotrail getting?

 

[yorkshirerail]

Does anyone know which specific unit numbers is Scotrail getting?

222006-222023 and 222101-222104 I believe

 

[RiverDon]

Thanks!

 

[31160]

I went past 222103 at derby Sunday, what did it hit?

 

[RealTrains07]

222104 is expected to depart EMR within the next month (last day in service today)

I’m surprised 104 is going now. Had assumed it would be one of the last to move northwards.

 

[liamf656]

I’m surprised 104 is going now. Had assumed it would be one of the last to move northwards.

That was the original plan but 101-104 have been put to the front of the queue now

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Apr 2026 ==

I went past 222103 at derby Sunday, what did it hit?

That one's undergoing cab repairs after a recent fatality

 

[Amos390]

222104 is expected to depart EMR within the next month (last day in service today)

Shame, that is my favourite unit, with it being the in only one in the (far superior in my opinion) all-purple livery.

 

[D365]

That was the original plan but 101-104 have been put to the front of the queue now

My impression was always that 101-104 would be next to go, as they are 'non standard' when considered against the /0 subclass.

 

[SC318250]

222104 is expected to depart EMR within the next month (last day in service today)

So will it go for overhaul or will it head to Scotrail early for training or go to store?

 

[RiverDon]

So will it go for overhaul or will it head to Scotrail early for training or go to store?

They're not getting it until next year (I had heard Jan/Feb, although I saw another poster in the other thread says May and they're more likely to be correct about it). Apparently for each unit there is handover stuff that's needed once the leasing company gets it back then 'heavy maintenance work' separate from the refurbishment that Alstom is doing too. Scotrail isn't geared up to receive any 222s just yet as they need to make changes at the depots to allow them to be maintained, though I don't know what exactly is required.

 

[fgwrich]

That was the original plan but 101-104 have been put to the front of the queue now

Of course there’s a small irony in that both fleets of brand new DMU / DEMUs ordered for Hull Trains will end up serving the people of Scotland.

 

[hexagon789]

They'd have been better served by deleting the buffet and having a composite first/standard coach. The buffet service was never really needed, and the first class section is far larger than it need be.

Well, the buffet is going on the 222s which should gain about six seats.

Which will then be lost through the reduced seating density...

 

[RiverDon]

Well, the buffet is going on the 222s which should gain about six seats.

Which will then be lost through the reduced seating density...

9 tip up seats because that's where the bikes are going. The sets will have 212 standard and 20 first in total.

 

[hexagon789]

9 tip up seats because that's where the bikes are going. The sets will have 212 standard and 20 first in total.

That's quite logical I suppose, not unlike Arriva XC and putting luggage space where the buffet was on their 22x fleet.

 

[Railperf]

It was, along with accelerations.

The trains alone won't improve overall journey times. The 222's only performance advantage over a 2+5 HST is their better initial performance leaving a station (quicker brake release and better initial acceleration) and more responsive brakes when entering a station. But you might be lucky to save 30 seconds per station to station section on average.

 

[hexagon789]

The trains alone won't improve overall journey times. The 222's only performance advantage over a 2+5 HST is their better initial performance leaving a station (quicker brake release and better initial acceleration) and more responsive brakes when entering a station. But you might be lucky to save 30 seconds per station to station section on average.

No, but getting rid of some of the excessive pathing allowances would.

There were schedules of just over 3 hours from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness planned in the hourly HML scheme and there is a service currently timed at just 3 hours 06 from Glasgow to Inverness currently with 8 stops.

 

[Railperf]

There must be a good reason why the 8:37 Saturday Edinburgh to Inverness HST is sent out behind a stopper as far as Dunblane.

Probably because a path does not exist to send it out later and probably the platforms at Edinburgh need to be vacated for other services.

If you send it out much earlier it arrives at Perth too early for the optimum path up the Highland Main line adding time along there.

It seems the needs of central belt travellers is the priority unless you reinstate the route between Edinburgh and Perth via Kinross and even then the existing route across the Forth bridge seems equally busy and challenging to get a clean path through.

 

[InvHst]

9 tip up seats because that's where the bikes are going. The sets will have 212 standard and 20 first in total.

Em how? Will they not keep one and a half first class carriages as they are now?

 

[Clansman]

Em how? Will they not keep one and a half first class carriages as they are now?

Nope. Look at the renders, only the 4 windows are covered by the yellow first class band.

So with window realignment, wheelchair provision, luggage space between seat bays, and first class 2+1 layout - then across the 4 windows you’ll have:

2 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 20 seats

They could even get it down to 19 seats if they opt for bidirectional wheelchair spaces like they have done on the HSTs which would require and extra seat removed on the solo-seat aisle side.

 

[hexagon789]

Em how? Will they not keep one and a half first class carriages as they are now?

The seating layout is being altered as part of the refurbishment, which will include a reduction in First Class accommodation and the removal of the buffet counter.

 

[WesternLancer]

Nope. Look at the renders, only the 4 windows are covered by the yellow first class band.

So with window realignment, wheelchair provision, luggage space between seat bays, and first class 2+1 layout - then across the 4 windows you’ll have:

2 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 20 seats

They could even get it down to 19 seats if they opt for bidirectional wheelchair spaces like they have done on the HSTs which would require and extra seat removed on the solo-seat aisle side.

I can’t actually recall how many first class seats are cut in the driving vehicle as per the original EMR layout.
I’ve often thought the layout and window alignment could be better.

 

[hexagon789]

I can’t actually recall how many first class seats are cut in the driving vehicle as per the original EMR layout.
I’ve often thought the layout and window alignment could be better.

22 First, with a further 28 or 11 in the composite depending on whether it's on of those from the original MM sets or from the ex-HT sets.

 

[WesternLancer]

22 First, with a further 28 or 11 in the composite depending on whether it's on of those from the original MM sets or from the ex-HT sets.

Seems to me to make sense to lose 2 first calssseat in the interests of betetr layouy and potentailly improved disability space. I can't see that there would have been much logic in keeping the composite layout - unless of course demand for 1st class required it in Scotland.
If there is increased demand overall - including 1st and Std - then perhaps there would have been spare vehicles from another set to lengthen a few of the sets to 6 cars (I seem to recall upthread mention that not all of the 22s would end up with Lumo or scotrail).