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No. 222102 at Doncaster on 31 May 2005 .]] power sockets for charging Laptop s and Mobile Phone s]] The Class 222 Meridian is a Diesel-electric Multiple Unit High-speed Train , which the English Train Operating Company Midland Mainline put in service on certain routes in 2004 as a replacement for its Turbostar s, which were cascaded to Central Trains . The Meridian, capable of 200 Km/h , is much faster than the Turbostars, and reported to be more comfortable for passengers as well. The Meridian, manufactured by Bombardier Transportation , is similar to the Class 220 and 221 Voyager units used by Virgin Trains . Although the Meridian is related to the Voyager units used by Virgin Trains and has a similar appearance, the trains have a radically different interior, altered after feedback from the Voyagers about their cramped interior, and have more components fitted under the floors. Because Midland Mainline mistakenly ordered too much first-class accommodation, Coach H has a section of declassified First Class seating which Standard Class passengers may use, but many people do not notice the stickers in the windows and so choose the Standard Class seating. There are also seven sets of nine-carriage Meridians. These were ordered for an enhanced London St. Pancras - Leeds service, but after Midland Mainline had ordered the trains, the Strategic Rail Authority decided not to allow them to run the service. As Of Mid-2005 some of the nine-carriage Meridians now supplement Midland Mainline's HST fleet with services on the London to Nottingham and Derby route. The train operating company Hull Trains have also introduced Class 222 units to replace their Class 170 ''Turbostars'' in May 2005 . The units run by Hull Trains are known as Pioneers rather than Meridians, which is more fitting with the city that they serve. Their introduction has brought journey time reductions of up to twenty minutes on the Hull to King's Cross Railway Station route. Internally, the Pioneers differ from the Meridians. As well as having a different colour scheme and layout, Pioneers have less first-class seating so there is no declassified area. Grand Central Trains , a new train operating company, will start direct services between London Kings Cross and Sunderland using five-carriage Class 222 units in 2007. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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