Class 221 for Grand Central

[D365]

I didn’t think Tass was part of ETCS, but I think I’m mixing it up with ERTMS.

As somebody who's more familiar with locomotive ETCS, I'm only slowly learning my way around the multiple unit implementations [past and present]!

 

[Nym]

They have TASS.

But what that means is that if NR use their brain, they could re-use a lot of the existing equipment fitted as there is already a;

Eurobalise Antenna
EVC
NVC
I beleive they have RADARs.
Speed Probes.

Hence, the ancillary equipment could all be re-used for a 'full fat' ETCS installation, and even if not, the wiring routes and racking locations could be re-used, provided some silly requirements don't get put in the way of just re-using existing locations.

Those who work on ETCS for NR, know.

 

[johntea]

Looks like both my outward and return trip on Grand Central in a couple of weeks are booked for a 221 looking at journey history

Are they still a faraday cage for mobile signal or have they somehow improved that these days?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Are they still a Faraday cage for mobile signal or have they somehow improved that these days?

They still are - but the signal is always good in the vestibules ( not much use if you're sitting in the saloon, I know... ).

 

[TheWalrus]

Do the 221s only do Bradfords ie no Sunderlands? So if I booked a Sunderland service it would certainly be a 180?

 

[swt_passenger]

Do the 221s only do Bradfords ie no Sunderlands? So if I booked a Sunderland service it would certainly be a 180?

Only Bradfords, it’s been stated a few times in this thread, and I think any recent change to that would have been significant enough to be mentioned.

 

[johntea]

Can confirm the mobile signal…isn’t great!

I was keen to try the on board ‘Avanti_Free_WiFi’ … but it wouldn’t even let me connect to the wireless network let alone t’internet!

 

[dodecahedron67]

Only Bradfords, it’s been stated a few times in this thread, and I think any recent change to that would have been significant enough to be mentioned.

They were running in and out of York last Sunday 18th (saw one with my eyes), but I think this was just on 5JXX headcodes between York and Crofton Depot

 

[trainswitheddy]

They were running in and out of York last Sunday 18th (saw one with my eyes), but I think this was just on 5JXX headcodes between York and Crofton Depot

I think only training runs for now. Not sure if any have actually made it up to York in service.

 

[danbarjon]

I think only training runs for now. Not sure if any have actually made it up to York in service.

If I remember rightly a 221 did a Sunderland to London KX when it cancelled from Sunderland it picked up the service at York.

 

[Neo9320]

Was on a train past central rivers yesterday and saw the GC ‘livery’.

Seems like they’re not going all out just yet, merely popping the basics on the sides.

Is central rivers going to be the home base for these or are they going somewhere else?

 

[John C]

Was on a train past central rivers yesterday and saw the GC ‘livery’.

Seems like they’re not going all out just yet, merely popping the basics on the sides.

Is central rivers going to be the home base for these or are they going somewhere else?

I would expect this would of been either 221142 or 143 which arrived from Crofton Depot yesterday as 5M60 presumably for maintenance at Central Rivers https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K01348/2024-02-28/detailed. These two units have been with Grand Central for some months now and are maintained/based at Crofton depot.

 

[yorkshireguy21]

I would expect this would of been either 221142 or 143 which arrived from Crofton Depot yesterday as 5M60 presumably for maintenance at Central Rivers https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K01348/2024-02-28/detailed. These two units have been with Grand Central for some months now and are maintained/based at Crofton depot.

Appears to be 221142 at Central Rivers as 143 was out doing runs that day.

 

[trainswitheddy]

Was on a train past central rivers yesterday and saw the GC ‘livery’.

Seems like they’re not going all out just yet, merely popping the basics on the sides.

Is central rivers going to be the home base for these or are they going somewhere else?

The lease (as far as I know!) is only meant to last a year so surprised they've done as much as they have to be honest.

 

[Neo9320]

Many thanks for all for the replies

 

[170UTD]

When's the lease due to expire? I'm thinking of doing a trip to Bradford to on one (I think 1D71 is diagramed as a Voyager). I'm surprised that they aren't trying to extend it or get more of them since the Avanti ones will be coming free (after XC have taken 7 anyway)

 

[Nick82]

When's the lease due to expire? I'm thinking of doing a trip to Bradford to on one (I think 1D71 is diagramed as a Voyager).

I believe towards the end of the year.

I'm surprised that they aren't trying to extend it or get more of them since the Avanti ones will be coming free (after XC have taken 7 anyway)

Currently there's no aspiration to extend it further due to the ECDP as they are not compatible

 

[Wyrleybart]

When's the lease due to expire? I'm thinking of doing a trip to Bradford to on one (I think 1D71 is diagramed as a Voyager). I'm surprised that they aren't trying to extend it or get more of them since the Avanti ones will be coming free (after XC have taken 7 anyway)

From what I understand the 221s were taken on lease for 12 months to give Crofton breathing space to restore the backlog of 180 maintenance. Apart from two misplaced vehicles (55903 and 55906) all the original GCR 180s are back in correct formations.

Watch this space this summer

 

[170UTD]

From what I understand the 221s were taken on lease for 12 months to give Crofton breathing space to restore the backlog of 180 maintenance. Apart from two misplaced vehicles (55903 and 55906) all the original GCR 180s are back in correct formations.

Watch this space this summer

Misplaced? What happened?

 

[Trainman40083]

From what I understand the 221s were taken on lease for 12 months to give Crofton breathing space to restore the backlog of 180 maintenance. Apart from two misplaced vehicles (55903 and 55906) all the original GCR 180s are back in correct formations.

Watch this space this summer

Did the EMR Class 180 that was on loan to Grand Central, go back to store?

 

[Danfilm007]

Misplaced? What happened?

Lost down the back of the sofa!

 

[Wyrleybart]

Did the EMR Class 180 that was on loan to Grand Central, go back to store?

Yes. A couple of weeks ago

 

[The_Train]

Yes. A couple of weeks ago

180110? Back to Ely presumably?

 

[Halish Railway]

Misplaced? What happened?

Out of place would be a better description. From what I gather various vehicles are in the wrong sets, hence the numbering of the vehicles in question don't match those of the rest of the consist. I believe this is due to varying levels of corrosion and malfunctioning amongst the vehicles in each consist, so some vehicles have been moved around to make a usable five-carriage unit but haven't been rearranged to be back in the original consist.

 

[170UTD]

I'm aware that this is slightly off topic, but is 1st Class on a GC Voyger worth it or should I go in standard to keep the cost down? I can get a 1st Advanced for £21.50 at the moment. I just want to get people's thoughts on it.
I'll be going from Bradford to Peterborough. Thanks in advance.

 

[Kite159]

I'm aware that this is slightly off topic, but is 1st Class on a GC Voyger worth it or should I go in standard to keep the cost down? I can get a 1st Advanced for £21.50 at the moment. I just want to get people's thoughts on it.
I'll be going from Bradford to Peterborough. Thanks in advance.

Depends how much extra £21.50 is compared to standard class.

 

[170UTD]

Depends how much extra £21.50 is compared to standard class.

Depending on the day, it's £14.55 or £9.15 for a standard class ticket

 

[deep south]

1st class gets you a bigger 2+1 seat. Free tea or coffee and a small snack brought to you at your seat, ordered on an spp.

So you pays yer money and makes yer choice... More comfortable yes, also more expensive.

 

[170UTD]

1st class gets you a bigger 2+1 seat. Free tea or coffee and a small snack brought to you at your seat, ordered on an spp.

So you pays yer money and makes yer choice... More comfortable yes, also more expensive.

Thanks for your help. Booked my £21.50 ticket from Bradford to Peterborough. I'm looking forward to trying out a Voyager (hopefully).

 

[TheWalrus]

Thanks for your help. Booked my £21.50 ticket from Bradford to Peterborough. I'm looking forward to trying out a Voyager (hopefully).

Personally I would say you made the right choice.