Will Great British Railway keep the 221's and 220's from XC?

[fredlikes221s]

Hi all just wondering if anyone knows if the voyagers are being kept by GBR once the TOC's are fully nationalised.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Yes, definitely.
There is nothing yet ordered to replace the Class 220 or 221, and they will be very much needed for CrossCountry services.

 

[swt_passenger]

Hi all just wondering if anyone knows if the voyagers are being kept by GBR once the TOC's are fully nationalised.

Welcome.

I reckon theres no evidence whatsoever that GBR will leap into action and change any current rolling stock.
Besides, XC Voyagers are way down the DfT priority list, they’ll still be in use in 10-15 years time.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Hi all just wondering if anyone knows if the voyagers are being kept by GBR once the TOC's are fully nationalised.

If you consider that probably well north of 500 drivers at Edinburgh Newcastle Leeds Derby Birmingham Manchester Bristol Plymouth and Bournemouth would need to be trained on whatever replaced them. After the new fleet was designed procured built delivered tested etc.

Then there is rhe matter of probably another 500 on board staff being trained to work on them, but also remember that for the last 25 years the XC training scheme has been wholly about the voyager including the simulators to help train and validate staff on the traction.

Another factor to consider is the depot at Central Rivers was purpose designed and built to care for the 78 voyagers. I believe that initially the jacks were designed for lifting 4 car units so some site modifications were required to lift all five cars simultaneously. Obviously things are going to change with 5 class 222s being based there as well as heavy maintenance on the Chiltern mk5a stock impending. My guess is that voyagers will be around for at least another 10-15 years - unless there is z severe fuel crisis