Avanti Class 221s to Cross Country

[duffield]

Do we know exactly which services will go from 4->5 and 5->4+4 coaches etc. yet, or do we have to wait until the timetable actually starts from 18th May to find out?

 

[dk1]

Don't forget the TASS /Tilt system needs to be locked out and isolated, with rigid bars replacing the gubbins whilst they are prepared for XC use

Oh yes of course. I was referring more to the cosmetic side.

 

[swt_passenger]

From recent discussions of the upcoming timetable, I believe it works out as only one extra service being introduced each way per day on that corridor from mid-May, requiring one extra unit.

Yes, I just double checked this on RTT as well. I think most of the planned increases covered by a TAA are now not actually due until the Dec TT change, (they were in a draft timetable I saw linked in the Dec 2025 ECML thread).

 

[Wyrleybart]

Some are likely to be stored at Derby Litchurch Lane Works

Pretty sure 221101-221108 are Alstom's fleet and 221109 onwards are for XC

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Pretty sure 221101-221108 are Alstom's fleet and 221109 onwards are for XC

Only yesterday it was posted in this thread that 221108 was out on Manchester Bournemouth runs.

 

[99009]

Pretty sure 221101-221108 are Alstom's fleet and 221109 onwards are for XC

Assuming numerical logic applies (which it may not - this is unconfirmed) the 12 extra units XC are getting will be 221107-221118.

What is confirmed is that 5 of these units have now entered service with XC. 221108 (yesterday), 221109 and 221114-221116.

Once again assuming (risky, I know!) this would mean eventually the status of the 221's looks like:

221101-221106 - Store/Unknown/Possible Open Access
221107-221141 - XC
221142+221143 - Grand Central (Then Store/Unknown/Open Access)
221144 - XC

 

[sprinterguy]

What is confirmed is that 5 of these units have now entered service with XC. 221108 (yesterday), 221109 and 221114-221116.

221108 is in traffic today.
1H13 06:30 Birmingham NS - Man Picc
1O10 08:25 Man Picc - Bournemouth
1M54 13:45 Bournemouth - Man Picc
then to Longsight.

And 221113 has entered traffic on the same diagram today.

I've noted since 109 was re-introduced to service early last month, that this is a popular diagram for additional ex-Avanti units to enter service on - Helps that it's a Central Rivers starter, of course.

 

[dodger]

I looks as though 221107 soon could be the next transfer from Avanti to XC!

 

[sprinterguy]

221117 is in service on the diagram commencing 1H13 today.

 

[Jamesrob637]

221117 is in service on the diagram commencing 1H13 today.

Is the 08:25 Manchester to Bournemouth going to a double from next week?

 

[43055]

Is the 08:25 Manchester to Bournemouth going to a double from next week?

No one really knows until the allocations appear on the day. The diagram looks to finish at Birmingham by joining with a unit from Bristol before heading to the depot, so my guess will be a single set.

 

[Halish Railway]

No one really knows until the allocations appear on the day. The diagram looks to finish at Birmingham by joining with a unit from Bristol before heading to the depot, so my guess will be a single set.

You can couple up to 3 Voyagers together and XC do for empty stock movements to and from Central Rivers, so unfortunately there’re no further indications as to whether either diagrams are a single or double.

 

[Killingworth]

You can couple up to 3 Voyagers together and XC do for empty stock movements to and from Central Rivers, so unfortunately there’re no further indications as to whether either diagrams are a single or double.

Naive question, could XC run 12 (or even 15) car trains in service? I suppose not - platform length constraints for a start.

 

[JamesT]

Naive question, could XC run 12 (or even 15) car trains in service? I suppose not - platform length constraints for a start.

They have done in the past. During the WCML modernization Virgin ran 3x221 formations between Euston and Birmingham. I believe they were nonstop though.

 

[Trainman40083]

They have done in the past. During the WCML modernization Virgin ran 3x221 formations between Euston and Birmingham. I believe they were nonstop though.

I travelled on one. Think it called or maybe started from Birmingham International, then Leamington, Banbury, Chiltern, over to West Ealing back to the Euston lines at Willesden then into Euston. I don't think it was faster than rail replacement, but they seemed full (clearly people wanted to travel by train, rather than a coach)

 

[Thunderer]

221112 has made an appearance today for XC on the 1H14 then the 1V49 09:03 Man Picc to Bristol TM

 

[Killingworth]

They have done in the past. During the WCML modernization Virgin ran 3x221 formations between Euston and Birmingham. I believe they were nonstop though.

So a fast Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol, South West summer Saturday 12 coach could happen, but won't!

 

[dodger]

221112 has made an appearance today for XC on the 1H14 then the 1V49 09:03 Man Picc to Bristol TM

The trend for transferred sets working 1O10 to Bournemouth first day out has been broken.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

According to a post on CrossCountry’s Instagram, they’re starting to cover up the blue ends of the former Avanti units with the same maroon on their original units.

 

[CR165022]

According to a post on CrossCountry’s Instagram, they’re starting to cover up the blue ends of the former Avanti units with the same maroon on their original units.

They showed 221113 in that and I believe it already had a replacement panel in XC maroon before it transferred.

 

[Russel]

According to a post on CrossCountry’s Instagram, they’re starting to cover up the blue ends of the former Avanti units with the same maroon on their original units.

Because the cabs being a different colour is clearly the biggest issue XC are currently facing...

Their priorities confuse me.

 

[357]

Because the cabs being a different colour is clearly the biggest issue XC are currently facing...

Their priorities confuse me.

It was a mismatched panel before transfer the same as Grand Central have a couple of Virgin Red panels floating about fitted to the front.

 

[Class 317]

Seems to be notably more 5 car sets through Reading today with virtually all Bournemouth to Manchester route services either 5 car or double sets with only a couple of services operated as single 4 car sets.

Looks like we are starting to see the improvement that the 9 extra sets will deliver.

 

[tfw756rider]

Seems to be notably more 5 car sets through Reading today with virtually all Bournemouth to Manchester route services either 5 car or double sets with only a couple of services operated as single 4 car sets.

Looks like we are starting to see the improvement that the 9 extra sets will deliver.

9? isn't it 8 in service so far, out of 12?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

9? isn't it 8 in service so far, out of 12?

Nine extra sets on top of the three that have already been with XC for a while. We're starting to see improvements now that those nine are following them into service, basically.

 

[duffield]

Nine extra sets on top of the three that have already been with XC for a while. We're starting to see improvements now that those nine are following them into service, basically.

Hmm. I'd sort of assumed they would come in at the timetable change - even though there's no technical reason why (timings and paths not changing), there will have to have been some rostering changes for services changing to double units and you'd maybe think they would combine them with any other such changes caused by the new timetable. Anyhow it's great that this is finally happening!

 

[Russel]

It was a mismatched panel before transfer the same as Grand Central have a couple of Virgin Red panels floating about fitted to the front.

Didn't think aesthetics was something Arriva cared about.

 

[99009]

221118 is currently allocated it's first working with XC. 1H14 07:01 Birmingham NS - Man Picc; the same diagram that 221112 worked yesterday.

This means that as of now, to update my post from last week, the current situation of the 221's is:

221101 - 221106 - Stored/Unknown/Possible Open Access
221107 - 221109 - XC
221110+221111 - Presumably XC Soon
221112 - 221141 - XC
221142+221143 - Grand Central (Then Store/Unknown/Open Access)
221144 - XC

EDIT: Now also including 221107 from Stotty's post below.

10/12 ex Avanti 221's now in service with XC. (107-109, 112-118)

 

[stottyuk]

221107 is also out today.


Just arrived at Stafford


1H13 0630 Birmingham NS - Manchester P
1010 0825 Manchester P - Bournemouth

 

[irish_rail]

Seems to be notably more 5 car sets through Reading today with virtually all Bournemouth to Manchester route services either 5 car or double sets with only a couple of services operated as single 4 car sets.

Looks like we are starting to see the improvement that the 9 extra sets will deliver.

More than likely just means lots more 4 car sets on Edinburgh to Plymouth!