British Rail Class 222
diesel multiple-unit train by Bombardier
The British Rail Class 222 Meridian is a type of diesel-electric multiple-unit high-speed passenger train capable of 125 mph (200 km/h). Twenty-seven sets were built by Bombardier Transportation in Bruges, Belgium, from 2003 to 2005.
The Class 222 is part of the Bombardier Voyager family, bearing a similarity to the Class 220 Voyager and Class 221 Super Voyager trains currently operated by CrossCountry and Grand Central. Originally built for Midland Mainline and Hull Trains, today the class is operated by Lumo and East Midlands Railway who brand it Meridian.
Details
All units are equipped with a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine beneath each car, producing 559 kW (750 hp) at 1,800 rpm. This powers a generator, also located beneath the cars, which supplies current to Alstom Onix 800 motors that drive two axles per coach. Approximately 1,350 miles (2,170 km) can be travelled between each refuelling.
The Class 222 utilises a rheostatic braking system alongside its air brake system, whereby power to the motors is disconnected, changing their function from motors to generators. The current produced is directed to resistors on the roof, where the electrical energy is dissipated as thermal energy. This therefore reduces wear on the brake shoes, extending their lifespan.
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This entry incorporates text from “British Rail Class 222” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.