Voyager differentiation

[Spaceflower]

I have noticed Voyager numbers are displayed in a somewhat less than obvious location. So with this in mind, how does one differentiate between the voyager and the super voyager without looking at the bogies?

 

[starrymarkb]

Count the coaches...

IIRC the cabs also have/had a sign on the dash saying "Tilting Super Voyager" for the train crew. Other then that it doesn't really matter if it's harder for enthusiasts to spot

 

[Pumbaa]

Have a look at who's operating it? May discount an entire fleet at a glance!

 

[Spaceflower]

Yeah, thanks for that. It doesn't help me labeling my pictures though. How many coaches does each set have in the Arriva XC fleet?

 

[jopsuk]

Count the coaches...

As f ar as I know Cross Country still have a single 4-car 221, just to confuse everything. Otherwise all 221s are 5 car and all 220s are 4 car I doubt it would be practicable or economic (as opposed to technically possible, which it probably is) to rebuild one of the spare driving carriages to an intermediate.

When all operated by Virgin, weren't the nameplates different colours? Red for the 220s, Blue for the 221s?

 

[Pumbaa]

Only the bogies are noticeably different. If at a station, poke your head into the vestibule. 220s/221s have different numbers for the coaches and different vestibule ceiling trim colours too I think - 220s have light blue, 221s have purple.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

The last two digits of the vehicle number are the same as the unit number for a 220, for 221s the numbers are 50 above.

For example

60310 => 220010
60360 => 221110

except 221142 and 221143 which each have a coach from 221144 in them.

 

[rebmcr]

It's very easy, and I'm very surprised that nobody has mentioned it:

One of these units has sloping sides for tilting, the other does not.

 

[Goatboy]

It's very easy, and I'm very surprised that nobody has mentioned it:

One of these units has sloping sides for tilting, the other does not.

I thought they both had the same bodyshell?

 

[ainsworth74]

I thought they both had the same bodyshell?

They do...

220/221/222 all look basically identical in terms of bodyshell.

 

[Spaceflower]

Thanks. Aren't 222's called Meridians?

 

[jopsuk]

yes- though Hull called their small fleet "Pioneers" when they had them

 

[MCR247]

It's very easy, and I'm very surprised that nobody has mentioned it:

One of these units has sloping sides for tilting, the other does not.

Theres a reason no-one has mentioned it

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Trains in Virgin livery are Super Voyagers and tilt. Trains in Cross Country livery can be either Voyager or Super Voyager, but as none of them tilt for all practical purposes they might as well be the same

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[455driver]

It's very easy, and I'm very surprised that nobody has mentioned it:

One of these units has sloping sides for tilting, the other does not.

Nobody has mentioned it because it isnt true!

Edit,
I see lots of people have corrected your error though!

 

[Darandio]

but as none of them tilt for all practical purposes they might as well be the same

Which doesn't answer the question whatsoever!

 

[Pumbaa]

Talk about sense of humour failure

 

[jopsuk]

The basic conclusion is that it ain't easy apart from carriage counting. If it only has four carriages, then 34 times out of every 35 it is a Class 220. If it has five cars, it definitely is a 221, likewise if it is Virgin livery. If it is white, has 4, 5 or 7 cars and and improved interior, it's a 222 on the MML!

 

[jon91]

Don't forget that the 222s have a different headlight cluster and front valance design judging by a quick comparison between two images I have...

 

[Crossover]

From XC, only 221141 is a 4 car unit (I have had it turn up, once)

Really, it is just the bogies (which are the biggest giveaway and noticeable in all but a small number of cases (if it is in the nearest platform and you're not next to it) - otherwise, it is the carriage number being +50 of the unit number

 

[Spaceflower]

Yes, thanks for the replies. The photo's I'm having difficulty with are those ion which they are captured either head on or in platform with bogies obscured. However, I'm 97% sure I've got it right

 

[O L Leigh]

Even head-on, the difference in the bogies is obvious. Passing Voyagers and Super Voyagers on the opposite line it is obvious which is which even before they pass or the number of cars counted. Cl221 Super Voyager bogies have outside frames which are noticeably wider and bulky than Cl220 Voyager bogies which have inside frames.

Post up any you're not certain of and I'm sure you will get a definitive answer for most.

O L Leigh

 

[Michael.Y]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Trains_2_054.JPG

 

[Spaceflower]

Thanks Michael, I've seen that Wikipedia link and has helped me ID other shots. I'm afraid even with this help I've been unable to confirm my suspicions on a few so far....I'll post the two pictures later.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The two offending Voyagers are now in my gallery. If anyone cares to confirm they are just that I would be very much appreciative.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I think they are both class 220.

 

[6Gman]

As f ar as I know Cross Country still have a single 4-car 221, just to confuse everything.

I know. They turned it out last time I travelled from Birmingham to Plymouth!

Busy.

 

[broadbander]

When all operated by Virgin, weren't the nameplates different colours? Red for the 220s, Blue for the 221s?

The Virgin "shields" on the noses were different colours too.

Class 220s had silver shields:

Class 221s had/have red shields:

 

[Crossover]

I think they are both class 220.

I also think similar - the bogies look fairly uncluttered

 

[158747]

If you see a Voyager at a station platform and are unable to see the bogies, the 221s have a small yellow rectangular warning sign above each bogie.

 

[RochdalePioneers]

On the inside a 220 vibrates from every panel and has uncomfortable seats, whereas a 221 has seats that are too closely spaced and make my back ache, and panels that vibrate.

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