super voyagers

Economy Class & Beyond

Voyagers turn 20 – but could they have been better?

30/07/2021 by Kevincm

The Voyager (Class 220) and Super Voyager (Class 221 ) fleets were introduced in 2001 by Virgin CrossCountry and Virgin West Coast , as diesel multiple units to connect the networks that are unable to be served by electric trains.

They replaced locomotive-hauled trains that served the routes (inherited from British Rail Intercity days), as well as supplanting HST trains on some routes.

They are designed to operate up to 200kph/125mph, and in some cases, tilt as well (in the case of some who have tilt-enabled units), and CrossCountry (whose units have tilt isolated).

The trains were manufactured by Bombardier, (acquired by Alstom in January 2021) and entered service in 2001.

The Voyager Fleet can be found across the length and breadth of Britain’s Inter-City network from Aberdeen to Penzance, London to Llandudno.

The allocations currently are:

• Cross Country: 34 four-car Voyagers (Class 220)
• Cross Country: 4 four-car Super Voyagers (Class 221)
• Cross Country: 20 five-car Super Voyagers (Class 221)
• Avanti West Coast: 20 five-car Super Voyagers (Class 221) 

All 78 units are owned by Beacon Rail, and maintained by Alstom at its Central Rivers depot, with heavy component overhaul taking place at Alstom’s Crewe and Ilford facilities.

Innovation to continue – but missed opportunities

Even though they’re 20 years there seems to be plenty of room for innovation still, with such as hybrid diesel/battery operation and intelligent engine stop/start, being developed for the type. 

However, there was a missed opportunity some years ago, when there was an opportunity to make them dual-mode, with an extra carriage to be added, which would allow it to powered from overhead electricity (as part of Project Thor). This was not taken up in the end. 

This brings us to the next issue with the class- capacity.

Too short when they were ordered and never expanded

The Class 220 Voyager and Class 221 Super Voyager were ordered primarily as four-class configurations, with Super Voyagers mainly made up of five car configurations.

These replaced trains that were on average seven carriages long. In addition, space was consumed with luggage racks and large (if rather smelly) toilet units -leaving an ever reducing space for passenger seats .

Whilst it was argued that the improved timetable would justify the four/five-car sets, passenger demand soared – leaving Virgin and Arriva Cross Country with standing passengers on long haul routes – to the point where InterCity 125 trains returned to some CrossCountry routes. 

And sadly, the units were never expanded… except for one member of the family.

Enter the Meridian 

The last member of the Voyager family is the Class 222 Meridians. These entered service with  East Midlands Trains  (operated by Stagecoach) and Hull Trains  and currently operate with East Midlands Railway (operated by Abellio). 

Curiously, whilst they ordered some rather long nine-car sets, along with some four-car sets. The nine-car sets slowly were reduced to eight cars, then seven, with the four-car sets being transformed into five-car sets. 

Currently, East Midlands Railway operates:

• 6 Seven Car Sets (Class 222/0)
• 17 Five Car Sets (Class 222/0)
• 4 Four Car sets (Class 222/1)  

Peter Broadley, Managing Director, Services for Alstom UK & Ireland said:

“Twenty years of reliable, 200 km/hour operation across Britain is a very significant milestone. We are delighted to celebrate Voyager 20 with our friends from Beacon Rail, CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast and look forward to future innovations to achieve even greater sustainability.”

Rob Dee, Beacon Rail said

“The Voyager fleet is an integral part of Beacon’s portfolio, consisting of close to 2,000 items of rolling stock operating in 17 countries across Europe.  Since taking ownership of the Voyagers in 2017 Beacon has worked closely with our customers Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry as well as Alstom to ensure the Voyagers offer a high level of safety, reliability, availability and comfort to the travelling public. Beacon has also commissioned industry colleagues to develop a hybrid battery solution for the fleet. The hybrid will significantly reduce emissions in built-up areas whilst maintaining Voyager’s high-speed, go-anywhere capability”.

Tom Joyner, Managing Director at CrossCountry said:

“The Voyager fleet has provided a sterling service for countless passengers over the past twenty years. There are some innovative projects in the pipeline, which will ensure the Voyagers continue to form a key part of our fleet and we are looking forward to working with colleagues from Alstom and Beacon Rail on these in the months ahead.”

Gus Dunster, Executive Director Operations & Safety, Avanti West Coast said:

“The Super Voyager has played a key role in the transformation of the West Coast Main Line – being integral to a high frequency timetable and helping to put Shrewsbury and Blackpool back on the map. The recent £8.3m investment in the fleet has given the trains a new lease of life and they will continue to serve our customers with great distinction.”

The next years

The Voyager fleet will see continued demand – however, the Meridian fleet is set to be released in the near future, when their new Class 810 “Arora” Fleet.

In theory, this will displace the Class 222 Meridian fleet. In addition,  Avanti West Coast  will be adding Class 805 trains too, to replace their Super Voyager fleet. 

Where it will go in the age of Great British Railways – who knows. Hopefully, CrossCountry can benefit from these releases.

But one thing is for certain – we’ll be seeing a lot of the Voyagers to come for many years, as they connect Penzance to Aberdeen, from Bournthmoth to Manchester and the places in between.

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• British Rail Class 221

British Rail Class 221 Explained

See also: Bombardier Voyager .

The British Rail Class 221 Super Voyager is a class of tilting diesel-electric multiple unit express passenger trains built in Bruges , Belgium, by Bombardier Transportation in 200102.

The class is similar to the Class 220 Voyager , but was built with a tilting mechanism enabling up to six degrees of tilt to allow higher speeds on curved tracks. Additionally, most have five coaches, and they have a different bogie design. They have a maximum speed of 125mph.

The trains are divided between three operators, Avanti West Coast (18 sets), CrossCountry (24 sets) and Grand Central (2 sets). [4] CrossCountry sets had their tilt function disabled in 2008 to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs.

The Class 221 units were produced as five- or four-coach sets. Each coach is equipped with a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine producing 560kW at 1,800rpm, [5] driving an electrical generator which powers two motors, each driving one (inner) axle per bogie via a cardan shaft and final drive. 1200miles can be travelled between refuellings.The coach bodies, the engines and most of the equipment of the Class 221s are the same as the Class 220s , but the bogie s are very different: the Class 220 Voyager B5000 bogies have inside-frames which expose the whole of the wheel faces, while the Class 221 SuperVoyager Y36 bogies have a more traditional outside-framed bogie. Unlike the Class 220s, the Class 221s were built with a hydraulic-actuated tilting system to run at high speed around bends, though this has now been disabled from the 24 sets operated by CrossCountry.

Each coach weighs between 55 and 57tonnes, with a total train weight of 281.9tonnes for a five-car set (227 tonnesfor a four-car set). The trains have air-operated (pneumatic) and rheostatic brakes, with an emergency stopping distance of at 60mph. [5]

Class 221 units are fitted with automatic sanding systems. The Avanti West Coast operated units are fitted with a Vossloh fixed rate sander and the Arriva Cross Country operated units are fitted with AB Hoses and fittings variable rate sanding system.

All Class 221 units are maintained at the dedicated Central Rivers TMD near Burton-on-Trent .

Formation and passenger facilities

As part of a franchise commitment to replace all of the Mark 2 and High Speed Train sets, Virgin CrossCountry ordered 40 five-carriage sets. In addition four four-carriage sets were ordered to replace High Speed Trains on Virgin Trains ' North Wales Coast Line services to Holyhead . However all entered service with Virgin CrossCountry.

In November 2010, Virgin Trains reformed its three four-car sets into two five-car sets and a residual spare two-car set by inserting the two intermediate (non-driving) cars from 221144 into 221142 and 221143, giving 20 five-car sets (and two spare driving cars). This was aimed at providing more flexibility and consistency in operating Birmingham-Scotland and London-North Wales services. [6] In 2017, a further reformation took place, allowing 221144 to be returned to traffic with CrossCountry, now operated by Arriva, involving the exchange of some vehicles between Virgin and CrossCountry and the reduction of two CrossCountry sets to four car formations.

All vehicles are air-conditioned and fitted with Wi-Fi . On some units, the at-seat audio entertainment system is still present however it has now been disabled since the Wi-Fi hotspot s were introduced. Power sockets are also available for laptop computers and mobile-phone charging. First-class accommodation has 2+1 seating, standard class 2+2 seating. Former Virgin Trains units are fitted with CCTV. These trains, unlike the older trains they replaced, have electronic information display boards in the exterior walls showing the train number, the time, the coach, the train's destination and the next station. This is also a feature of the and high speed DEMUs.

The trains have been criticised for providing insufficient space for luggage and bicycles. [7] Also, because the units are designed to tilt, the carriages have a tapered profile that narrows towards roof level, resulting in a less spacious interior than the conventional carriages they replaced.

The formation and capacity of each unit depends on the operator.

See also: Cross Country Route and Avanti West Coast . All units are owned by Beacon Rail , after they were purchased from Voyager Rail Leasing, [11] a consortium of Lloyds Banking Group and Angel Trains . [12] They are leased to the train operating companies .

On their introduction in 2002, Virgin Trains was the operator of all Class 221s, which it used on CrossCountry and West Coast Main Line services as well as on the North Wales Coast line.

With the decision to transfer those CrossCountry services that operated via the West Coast Main Line to the InterCity West Coast franchise at the same time as the former franchise was relet, on 11 November 2007 the fleet was split. Virgin West Coast were allocated 221101-221118 and 221142-221144 while CrossCountry gained 221119-221141. However, while CrossCountry was overhauling five High Speed Train sets, 221114-221118 were subleased to CrossCountry for 12 months.

Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast uses the Class 221 units primarily between London Euston and Scotland via Birmingham New Street (despite the route being electrified throughout), between London Euston and Shrewsbury, and between London Euston and Chester and North Wales. They are also used by a few London Euston to West Midlands services.

The trains to and from Scotland often operate as double units and alternate between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley (in turn alternating with TransPennine Express trains to and from Manchester Airport ). When longer trains are needed for some of the busier services, a Pendolino will run through from and to London Euston, and the Super Voyager then fills in for it on the London to West Midlands route.

The trains on the North Wales route sometimes operate as double units. They run from London Euston and terminate at any of Chester , Holyhead , Bangor or Wrexham . The daily return service from London Euston to Shrewsbury also operates using the Class 221.

In December 2019, Avanti West Coast placed an order for 10 seven-car Class 807 electric units which will replace its Class 221 fleet, along with 13 Class 805 bi-mode units as part of £350million contract with Hitachi . [13] These are planned to enter service in 2023. [14]

In June 2022, units 221142 and 221143 were the first 221s to be returned to their owners after their leases to Avanti West Coast ended. The class are set to be replaced by new and 807 units from 2023 onwards. [15]

CrossCountry

CrossCountry's Class 221s operate alongside 220s on the routes inherited from Virgin CrossCountry. Since these routes are not cleared for tilting operation (with the exception of Wolverhampton to Stockport ), in 2008 the tilting equipment was locked out of use and shortly afterwards was isolated altogether, replacing the hydraulic rams with fixed tie-bars. This change was made to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs. [16]

Grand Central

In June 2023 it was announced that Grand Central would be leasing two Class 221 units (numbers 221142 and 221143) for use on services between London Kings Cross and Bradford . [17]

The Class 221s first entered service with Grand Central in 2023.

Technical problems and incidents

When first introduced, Class 221 units would frequently be stopped due to waves breaking over the sea wall at Dawlish in storm conditions, inundating the resistor banks and causing the control software to shut down the whole train. [18] This problem was fixed by an upgrade to the control software. [19]

On 8 December 2005, unit 221125 suffered an exhaust fire at . Other members of the Voyager class suffered similar fires in the 2005-2006 period due to an incorrectly performed engine overhaul. [20]

On 25 September 2006, unit 221136 collided with a car on the track at Moor Lane, Copmanthorpe , North Yorkshire. The 14:25 Plymouth to Edinburgh was decelerating on its approach to York station at 9pm when it collided with the car, which had crashed through a fence on to the line. Despite being derailed in the 100mph crash, the train remained upright. Nobody on board was injured. [21]

On 4 July 2009, unit 221112 was involved in a collision between with a set of freight train container doors on the Eden Valley Loop at . At 16:27, Virgin Trains service 1M86 from Edinburgh to Birmingham New Street passed service 4M16, a container freight train which was in the Loop. The train struck one or both open doors of wagons 12 and or 13 of the container train. The train crew heard the impacts and stopped to report the damage to their control at 16:28. The train suffered damage to all cars consisting of scratching to bodywork, in particular the doors, as well as severe damage to one door step. The Super Voyager was one of three trains to be damaged by the container doors; a Class 390 and a Class 185 were also involved. [22]

On 20 November 2013 a Virgin Super Voyager (unit 221105) overran the platform and ran into the buffers at . One passenger was taken to hospital. [23] [24] The RAIB report concluded that this was due to exceptionally low adhesion between wheels and rails, combined with train's sanding system being inadequate. The report recommended that the sanding equipment on the class be upgraded. [25]

In June 2014, one vehicle in CrossCountry unit 220007 was damaged after it caught fire at Eastleigh Works . [26] As a temporary fix, the damaged vehicle from 220007 was replaced with one taken from 221135. The two units were returned to their original formations in February 2015.

Fleet details

Vehicle numbering.

Individual vehicles, as-built, were numbered in the ranges as follows:

• List of high speed trains
• Class 222 Meridian

External links

• Testing the Class 221s
• Railway Herald Issue 150 page 6 contains an image of a reconfigured Super Voyager.

Notes and References

• Book: Every Track - QSK19 for Rail Applications . Cummins Ltd . Daventry . 09/08 . Bulletin 4087201 . 2 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221202140716/https://mart.cummins.com/imagelibrary/data/assetfiles/0043213.pdf . 2 December 2022 .
• News: Cutting noise and smoothing the ride . . 1 August 2000 . 216 SuperVoyager cars capable of tilting 6° ... will use the well-proven Y36 bogie with hydraulic tilt actuation. . 2010-12-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120604022558/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/cutting-noise-and-smoothing-the-ride.html . 4 June 2012 . dmy-all .
• Book: System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 . 22 June 2011 . SD001 . Rail Safety and Standards Board . London . 4 . 22 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120401203135/http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf . 1 April 2012 . dead.
• Web site: Our trains . 12 August 2023. Grand Central. en-GB.
• Web site: Class 221 data . https://web.archive.org/web/20071027164919/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/New%20DMU%20Tech%20Data%20/DMU_220_221.html. usurped. 27 October 2007. 2 June 2008. The Railway Centre.
• News: Virgin eliminate four car Voyagers . Virgin Trains is no longer operating any Class 221 Super Voyager trains as four-car units. . 3 December 2010 . 2010-12-20 . RailNews . Stevenage . https://web.archive.org/web/20120322125538/http://www.rail-news.com/2010/12/03/virgin-eliminate-four-car-voyagers/ . 22 March 2012 . dead .
• News: GNER boss calls Virgin trains 'cheap and nasty' . Barrie . Clement . 12 January 2004 . The Independent . London.
• Web site: About Our Trains - Experience . Virgin Trains.
• Web site: Intercity West Coast Franchise Agreement (Interim) . Department for Transport.
• Web site: Voyager Trains . Cross Country .
• Web site: Beacon Rail buys Voyager DEMU fleet . Railway Gazette.
• Book: Pritchard . Robert . Hall . Peter . British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2013 . 2013 . Platform 5 Publishing . Sheffield . 978-1-909431-02-7 . 246–7, 373 .
• Web site: What's In Store Avanti West Coast . 2020-06-05. www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk. en.
• Rolling Stock Special: New Trains on order . . 241 . March 2022 . 30 .
• News: Holden . Michael . First two Avanti West Coast Voyager trains return to Beacon Rail . 14 June 2022 . RailAdvent . 14 June 2022.
• Miles . Tony . CrossCountry stops tilting . . August 2008. 71.
• Class 221 Super Voyager . Units . Rail Express . 326 . July 2023 . 21 . Mortons Media Group . Horncastle . 1362-234X.
• News: Virgin Trains chaos 'over by Christmas' . . 20 November 2002 . 12 October 2023.
• Voyager Train fleet "think smart" to operate past Devon sea storms . Virgin Trains . 2 December 2002 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061016083818/http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=272 . 2006-10-16 .
• Web site: Virgin Trains Cross Country news . https://web.archive.org/web/20060926224803/http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/img/aboutus/downloads/CrossCountry%20News%20April%2006.pdf . 26 September 2006 . April 2006 . 4 . dead.
• News: Car driver killed in rail crash . . London . 26 September 2006 . 12 October 2023.
• Rail Accident Report: Container doors hit passenger trains, Penrith Station and Eden Valley Loop, Cumbria, 4 July 2009 . . 19 November 2009 . 13 October 2023 .
• News: Passenger taken to hospital after Chester collision . RailNews. 20 November 2013. 22 November 2013.
• News: Train crashes into Chester Station barrier . BBC News . 20 November 2013. 22 November 2013.
• Web site: Report 26/2014: Buffer stop collision at Chester station . Rail Accident Investigation Branch . 10 December 2014. 13 October 2023.
• News: Fire crews tackle train blaze in Eastleigh . 31 October 2022 . . Newsquest Media Group . 28 June 2014.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License . It uses material from the Wikipedia article " British Rail Class 221 ".

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• Virgin Trains
• Passenger train running at least at 200 km/h in commercial operations

British Rail Class 221

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The Class 221 SuperVoyagers are diesel-electric multiple-unit express trains built by Bombardier Transportation between 2001 and 2002, entering service on 12 April 2002. The Class 221 are similar to the Class 220 Voyager units, but they have a tilting mechanism enabling up to six degrees of tilt to allow higher speeds on curved tracks. They have a maximum speed of 125 mph ( Template:Convert/outsep ).

• 2 Formation and passenger facilities
• 3.1 CrossCountry
• 3.2 Virgin Trains
• 4 Technical problems and incidents
• 6 Fleet details
• 8 References
• 9 External links

Details [ ]

CrossCountry unit 221130 departs Bristol Temple Meads .

The Class 221s were produced as 5- or 4-coach sets. Each coach is equipped with a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine producing Template:Convert/kW at 1,800 rpm, [5] driving an electrical generator which powers two motors, each driving one (inner) axle per bogie each via a cardan shaft and final drive. [3] Template:Convert/mi can be travelled between refuellings. The coach bodies, the engines and most of the equipment of the Class 221s are the same as the Class 220s, but the bogies are very different; the Class 220 Voyager B5000 bogies have inside bearings which expose the whole of the wheel faces, whilst the Class 221 SuperVoyager Y36 bogies have a more traditional-looking outside-framed bogie. Unlike the Class 220s the Class 221s have an hydraulic actuated tilting system to run at high speed around bends. Each coach weighs between 55 and 57 tonnes with a total train weight of 281.9 tonnes for a 5-car set (227 tonnes for a 4-car set). The trains have air-operated (pneumatic) and rheostatic brakes, with an emergency stopping distance of 350m at 60 mph ( Template:Convert/outsep ). [5] All Class 221 units are maintained at the dedicated Central Rivers TMD near Burton-on-Trent .

Formation and passenger facilities [ ]

Dellner coupling on a Class 221

The interior of First Class in the Bombardier Class 221 Super Voyager

There are 44 Class 221 trains, numbered 221 101 to 221 144; the first forty are five-car trains originally operated by Virgin Cross Country, the remaining four were four-car sets, originally intended for Virgin West Coast North Wales services. In November 2010, Virgin Trains reformed their three four-car sets into two five-car sets and a residual spare two-car set by inserting the two intermediate (non-driving) cars from 221144 into 221142 and 221143, giving them 20 five-car sets (and two spare driving cars) [6] . All vehicles are air-conditioned and fitted with at-seat audio entertainment systems and power sockets for laptop computers and mobile phone charging. First-class accommodation has a 2+1 seating arrangement, while standard class features a 2+2 seating arrangement. Virgin Trains' units are fitted with CCTV. The trains have been criticised for providing insufficient space for luggage and bicycles. [7] Also, because the units are designed to tilt, the carriages have a tapered profile that narrows towards roof level, resulting in a less spacious interior than the conventional carriages they replaced. The formation and capacity of each unit will depend on the Operator.

'*' The number of seats on Virgin sets depends on the use of coach D; if used on North Wales services it provides extra first-class seats, on Anglo-Scottish services coach D is standard-class accommodation.

Operations [ ]

On their introduction in 2002 Virgin Trains was the operator of all Class 221s, which they used on Cross Country and West Coast Main Line services as well as on the North Wales coast line. On 11 November 2007 CrossCountry obtained the Cross Country Route rail franchise; the trains were shared in a common pool between the two companies until December 2007, when 221 114 to 221 141 were transferred to CrossCountry with the remainder (221 101 to 221 113, 221 142 to 221 144) staying with Virgin Trains on Virgin West Coast . Five units 221 114 to 221 118 were transferred back to Virgin Trains in December 2008.

CrossCountry [ ]

These are used alongside Class 220 units and HSTs on the routes inherited from Virgin Trains.

Virgin Trains [ ]

Virgin Trains uses the Class 221 units primarily from Birmingham New Street to Scotland and from London Euston to Chester and North Wales. The trains to and from Scotland operate as single units and alternate between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley (in turn alternating with TransPennine Express trains to and from Manchester Airport). When longer trains are needed for some of these services during the summer, a Pendolino will run through from and to London Euston, and the Super Voyager then fills in for it on the London to West Midlands route., The trains on the North Wales route sometimes work in pairs between London Euston and Chester and terminate variously at Chester, Holyhead , Bangor and Wrexham.

Technical problems and incidents [ ]

Units have been stopped due to waves breaking over the sea wall at Dawlish in storm conditions, inundating the resistor banks and causing the control software to shut down the whole train. [10] This problem was fixed by a software upgrade to the control software. [11] On 8 December 2005, 221 125 suffered an exhaust fire at Starcross . Other members of the Voyager class suffered similar fires in the 2005-2006 period due to an incorrectly performed engine overhaul. [12]

On 26 May 2006, as one vyager was coming into oxenholme, there was a murder on the train. This particular unit is now haunted, with strange sounds, doors opening by themselves and a figure walking up and down carriages.

On 25 September 2006, 220 136 collided with a car on the track at Moor Lane, Copmanthorpe, North Yorkshire. The 14:25 Plymouth to Edinburgh was decelerating on its approach to York station at 9pm when it collided with the car, which had crashed through a fence and on to the line. Despite being derailed in the 100 mph crash, the train remained upright. Nobody on board was injured. [13]

Cross Country Bombardier Class 221 Super Voyager No. 221129 calls at Durham , with a southbound service

Some of the Virgin-operated Class 221 SuperVoyagers were named after famous Voyagers, some fictional and some real, as follows:

Virgin West Coast unit 221142 Matthew Flinders passes through Tamworth .

The Class 220s and 221s that were transferred to CrossCountry in November 2007 have had their names removed. '†' Refers to SuperVoyagers transferred to CrossCountry. '*' Refers to units built as 4 coach units originally intended for Virgin West Coast Services.

Fleet details [ ]

See also [ ].

• CrossCountry
• Class 220 Voyager
• Class 222 Meridian
• Class 390 Pendolino

References [ ]

• ↑ Desiro UK DMU Class 185 fact sheet siemens.com
• ↑ Template:Cite news
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 High-speed multiple units Virgin Voyager and Super Voyager with SK-450 final drives and cardan shafts 1–2. Voith (May 2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-13. “Drive configuration [diagram]”
• ↑ Mechanical And Electrical Coupling Index . Rail Safety and Standards Board. Retrieved on 2010-12-20.
• ↑ 5.0 5.1 Class 220 data . The Railway Centre (2 June 2008).
• ↑ Virgin eliminate four car Voyagers . Rail-News.com (2010-12-03). Retrieved on 2010-12-20. “The project to re-form two four-car Class 221 Super Voyager trains to provide greater flexibility and offer consistency in the operation of Birmingham-Scotland and London-Chester-North Wales services which are booked for Class 221 operation is now complete. Virgin Trains is no longer operating any Class 221 Super Voyager trains as four-car units.”
• ↑ Virgin Trains seating plan
• ↑ 9.0 9.1 Page 8 of Rail Management 175 confirms this
• ↑ Template:Cite press release
• ↑ Virgin Trains Cross Country news April 2006. Page 4 section 14

External links [ ]

Template:Commons category

• Virgin Trains Seating Plan for Virgin Trains Super Voyagers Page 2
• Testing the Class 221s
• Railway Herald Issue 150 page 6 contains an image of a reconfigured Super Voyager.

Template:Bombardier Voyager Template:British Rail DMU nl:Class 221 pl:British Rail Class 221 simple:British Rail Class 221 zh:英铁221型柴油动车组 hu:British Rail 221 sorozat

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• At A Glance

Reservations:

Assisted travel:.

Avanti Super Voyager (UK)

Welcome to the guide featuring the key things worth knowing when travelling by these trains which connect london and the west midlands to north wales..

At some time during 2024 these trains will be begin to be replaced by new trains .

At a Glance

Travel pass supplement, rail pass reservation fees, reservations.

Reservations are available

Time of Day

This train is solely used on daytime departures.

Food services available

Bistro (bar food and take away meals)

This train has a bar car with a counter at which hot food can be ordered along with snacks, sandwiches, salads and hot/cold drinks. These items can then be consumed in the bar car or taken back to your seats.

Accessibility

Accessing the train

Wheelchair Spaces

Dedicated spaces for wheelchairs are available on this train.

Bikes Allowed

Non-folding standard bicycles, can be taken on to this train, but must then be placed in the bike spaces. Check the info below regarding whether bike tickets and/or reservations are required pre-boarding.

Train Specification

Attributes of the train

Has a Conductor

A conductor will be present on board the train, their role includes making announcements and responding to passenger queries.

Which country these trains operate in.

Great Britain

This train operates on routes within Great Britain

Travel Passes

A complimentary WiFi portal is available throughout this train.

At Seat Catering

According to the time of day of travel, passengers will be able to choose from a menu of catering options, which will then be served at their seats.

Power Socket (UK)

The power sockets on this train are compatible with the standard 3-point plugs as typically used in the UK.

If you won’t be making a short-distance journey* complimentary food and drink is served to first class passengers at their seats. *=this service is always available when traveling to/from London.

The service can be excellent value for money, although what you’ll receive depends on the day of the week - and on Mon-Friday, it also matters at which time you’ll be travelling. On early morning Mon-Friday departures breakfast is available, but later in the mornings the 'Rest Of The Day' menu becomes available along with a selection of sandwiches and snacks. The switch over between these two menus seems to occur between 08:30 and 09:00.

The departure time and not the length of journey will dictate what you will be provided with, because the menu is usually served between 30 mins and an hour after departure.

The Weekend is similar to what’s available from the Standard Class catering trolley, but with the key difference being that what you are offered in First Class will be complimentary. This weekend menu is also available when Mondays and Fridays are national holidays.

Trolley Service:

A catering trolley with hot and cold drinks and snacks should be taken through the train at some point during its journey.

These Super Voyager trains are diesel powered so Avanti West Coast uses them for services which operated beyond the boundaries of the electrified lines.

Virgin Trains had been the previous operator, hence the images which show its branding, but they'll be updated as soon as the Avanti designs are applied to the trains.

These Super Voyager trains are used on these four routes:

• London Euston <> Shrewsbury via Birmingham and Telford,
• London Euston <> Chester,
• London Euston <> Holyhead via Chester, Llandudno Junction and Bangor.
• London Euston - Birmingham - Preston - Carlisle - Edinburgh (some departures)

They can also be used on other Avanti West Coast routes at weekends, when the services are having to be diverted from the usual route, due to works on the railway line.

Seat reservations are available, but not mandatory when travelling on Avanti Super Voyager services:

When booking tickets, including any journey using Advance tickets, reservations will also be issued which show specific coach and seat numbers.

Rail pass users can either opt to board without reservations, or arrange reservations prior to boarding, either at an Advance Travel desk in a station at last an hour before departure, or by contacting Avanti's social media channels. There is no charge to rail pass users for booking an optional reservation.

Worth knowing is that for your travel ticket to be valid, you don’t have to occupy the seat(s) you will be assigned* when booking online. So if for any reason you want to travel in a different seat, you can do so. As long as you check that the alternative seat(s) you want to move to haven’t been reserved, so will be available for your journey.

*= Advance tickets can only be used on the departure selected when booking, but the departure info is on the reservation, so it shows the conductor that you are in fact traveling by the departure you selected.

If you have a seat reservation:

At London Euston the number of the platform (track) that a specific departure will be leaving from, normally appears on the information screens 10 -15 minutes prior to departure. This will signal the start of a race to board the train, join the throng if you have luggage, the space for storing luggage isn’t particularly generous, especially in Standard Class. However, if you don’t have luggage, but do have a reservation, you can take your time as your seat(s) will be waiting for you to occupy them.

If you will be boarding at a large station, where the train will be calling during a journey, there are now usually signs on the platform (track), which will show you where to wait for easy boarding into each coach/carriage.

You don’t have to occupy the seat(s) you will assigned when booking online, so if for any reason you want to travel in a different seat, you can do so. Though you'll need to use the on board info to check that the alternative seat(s) you want to move to, haven’t been reserved, so will be available for your journey.

If you don’t have heavy luggage, after departure it can be worth having a walk through the train, to see what seats are available in other coaches. It’s not unknown for some of the coaches on the train to relatively busy, while others will be comparatively empty.

If you don’t have a seat reservation:

Two Super Voyager trains can be joined together on departure, particularly when heading north from London. On arrival at one of the stations the train will call at, often Chester or Wolverhampton, the train at the front can leave the other behind, in order to travel on to more distant and therefore less popular destinations.

So take care when boarding, although the on board information and train conductor will help ensure that you’re travelling in the correct part of the train.

Coach C is usually set aside for travellers who haven’t made seat reservations, but there is something else worth being aware of if you don’t have reservations. On the departure screens at Birmingham New Street and Euston at the foot of the information for each train (below its list of calling points), you should be able to see something which resembles a table/chart. This info will show which of the coaches on the train will be busy, because most of its seats have been reserved, and which will be relatively empty. So if you don’t have a reservation, you can board into the coach in which you’ll be most likely to find available seats.

Standard Class:

On virtually all departures at some point during the journey a catering trolley will be taken through the train, from which you can order hot/cold drinks, snacks and sandwiches at your seat.

There is also an on-board café from which you can order hot food and a more extensive range of food/drink items. When two trains are joined together for a departure, the café service is usually provided on both of the trains.

First Class:

If you won’t be making a short-distance journey* complimentary food and drink is served to first class passengers at their seats – *this service is always available when traveling to/from London

The service can be excellent value for money, although what you’ll receive depends on the day of the week - and on Mon-Friday, it also matters at which time you’ll be travelling. On early morning Mon-Friday departures breakfast is available, but later in the mornings the brunch menu is served. The switch over between these two menus seems to occur between 08:30 and 09:00.

A lunch menu is available in the middle of the day, while a more extensive choice of multiple hot food options is available in the evenings.

The Weekend menu is similar to what’s available from the Standard Class catering trolley, but with the key difference being that what you are offered in First Class will be complimentary. This weekend menu is also available when Mondays and Fridays are national holidays.

Each First and Standard Class coach on the train offers a mix of table seats and airline style seats - and you can specify a preference for being sat at a table seat(s) when booking tickets.

Particularly if you will be travelling long-distance, prior to making a booking, ShowMeTheJourney recommends looking at the seating plans, which can be downloaded from the Avanti West Coast website. You can use these plans to check which seats have a limited view, because not all seats in First or Standard class line up with the windows - or to check which seats do have power sockets.

Power sockets are only available at all WINDOW seats in both First and Standard Class.

Quiet Coach

Quiet Coaches are available on Virgin Super Voyager trains, passengers travelling within them are requested not to make or receive calls during the journey - and to use headphones when accessing audio or video. Seats within this Quiet Coach can be requested when making a reservation,

Complimentary Wi-Fi access is available throughout the train.

Once your logged on to the Wi-Fi, you can access a complimentary entertainment portal . Though what you can access via this portal is more limited than on the Pendolino trains - the movies and TV shows aren't available on a Super Voyager, but you can access news, online magazines and games.

The maximum size of suitcase that can be taken on board is 30cm x 70 cm x 90 cm; more information is available here .

Travelling with dogs

Up to two dogs can travel for free with an individual, or group of travellers.

Spaces for non-folding bikes must be reserved ahead of travel, but these bike spaces can now be booked online as you book your journey tickets. A bike reservation facility is built into the booking path on the Avanti West Coast website - and it shows how many bike spaces are still available on each departure.

Or if you want to subsequently book a bike reservation after you have booked your travel ticket, you can do so by calling 0345 528 0253

Though before doing so it's worth looking up the departure you will be travelling by, to check whether bike spaces are available Also if you have booked Advance tickets, don't leave your bike reservation to the last minute. Your bike will have to travel with you on the specific departure that you're booked on to, but you won't be able to exchange your travel tickets to a different departure if you subsequently discover that no bike spaces are available on that train.

Avanti Super Voyager trains have both wheelchair spaces and seats with additional leg-room, the Assisted Travel page on the Avanti West Coast website includes the booking information.

Please support ShowMeTheJourney

Help keep us advertising and paywall free!

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.

This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney , which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.

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Refreshed ‘221’

REFRESH WORK on the first Avanti West Coast Class 221 Super Voyager unit was completed in early August. Set No 221101 was first to be treated and re-entered service on 10 August. The programme, undertaken by Bombardier at Ilford depot in east London, includes provision of new standard class seat covers and carpets, new LED lighting and a revamped toilet area. All 20 sets are due to be completed by December this year.

The rollout of Avanti’s new livery on Class 390 Pendolinos is also continuing. Two sets received AWC livery throughout for the franchise launch in December, with the recent programme beginning in June seeing the livery applied to driving vehicles only, and by mid-August 20 sets had been so treated.

Originally published in Modern Railways Magazine

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N Gauge Class 221

Jan 19, 2023

The British Rail Class 221 Super Voyager is a class of tilting diesel-electric multiple unit express passenger trains built in Bruges, Belgium, by Bombardier Transportation in 2001/02. 

The Class 221 are similar to the Class 220 Voyager units, but were built with a tilting mechanism enabling up to six degrees of tilt to allow higher speeds on curved tracks, most have five coaches, and they have a different bogie design. They have a maximum speed of 125 mph (200 km/h). 

Currently these trains are divided between two operators, Avanti West Coast (20 sets) and Cross Country (24 sets). The sets operated by Cross Country had their tilt function disabled in 2008 to improve reliability and reduce maintenance cost.

By Geof Sheppard - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83397624

Specification

The Dapol Class 221 model has the following specification:

• Low friction mechanism with our proven super smooth 5 pole motor.   
• Working lights.
• DCC Ready - 6 pin decoder sockets supplied.  
• Detailed body. 
• Expertly applied livery. 
• Etched name plates where appropriate. 
• Unique magnetic coupling system. 
• Utilising existing tooling.   

Proposed Liveries

Dapol propose to produce five Class 221 models in this production run. these are listed below with an accompanying  power car artwork. more comprehensive versions of the artwork can be viewed in the Dapol Digest

2D-023-001 Class 221 5 Car Set 22108 Sir Ernest Shackleton, Virgin Old

2D-023-002 Class 221 5 Car Set 221101 101 Squadron, Virgin New

2D-023-003 Class 221 5 Car Set 221136, Cross Country

2D-023-004 Class 221 5 Car Set 221101, Avanti West Coast

2D-023-005 Class 221 5 Car Set 221115, Avanti West Coast (Red Roof)

Project Progress

Artworks  are now complete and have been submitted to the factory. We are currently waiting for decorated samples to arrive. When we receive them and have had a chance to examine them we will post images for you to look over. 

We expect to see models in the shops some time towards the end of Q2 - Q3 2023. 

Pre-Order yours at your preferred Dapol stockist today

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Alstom secures contract extension worth around £825 million from CrossCountry, providing welcome boost for Midlands-based train builder

Date posted: november 2, 2023.

Sustainable Rail Services

• Alstom will continue to maintain, overhaul, service and clean CrossCountry’s Voyager and Super Voyager fleet until 2031
• The contract includes implementation of sustainability innovations in preparation for many more years of service

Derby-based Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed an eight-year extension to its Train Services Agreement (TSA) with CrossCountry in the UK. The contract extension, valued at around £825 (€950) million, further secures this long-term partnership and is evidence of the trust placed by the customer.

Under the agreement, Alstom will continue to maintain, overhaul, service and clean 252 vehicles of the CrossCountry fleet (34 Class 220 Voyagers and 24 Class 221 Super Voyagers) at their primary depot –  Central Rivers in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. In addition, seven Voyagers will move to CrossCountry when they are released from service with Avanti West Coast to bolster the CrossCountry fleet and enable service uplifts in due course.

“We are delighted to extend our Voyager Maintenance Contract with CrossCountry for another eight years. We have worked in close partnership since 2007, providing reliable, well-presented, and safe trains for all CrossCountry’s customers. We look forward to working with our colleagues at CrossCountry to help them deliver a high-quality train service for the next eight years,” says Nick Crossfield, Alstom Managing Director, UK & Ireland.

“We’re delighted to continue our relationship with Alstom as we embark on our National Rail Contract. Improving the onboard experience is critical to ensuring our customers view us as a long-distance operator of choice and we look forward to working closely with Alstom in the years ahead to deliver these improvements”, says Tom Joyner, Managing Director, CrossCountry.

The contract places a strong focus on robust fleet performance, with a collaboration team between Alstom, the asset owner and CrossCountry established to identify optimisation and improvement initiatives, as well as to ensure the quality of the passenger environment.

The contract includes management of all planned (preventative) and unplanned (corrective) maintenance; all required overhaul activities; cleaning, and light maintenance services on the vehicles; vehicle servicing; service delivery support (including 24/7 telephone help line); vehicle cleaning (daily and periodic); depot management; shunting; obsolescence monitoring and management, and accident/vandalism repair.

Within the agreement, the fleet will be installed with an Intelligent Engine Stop Start (IESS) system, which will drive a reduction in fuel usage, emissions, and operational costs. Additionally, the collaboration team will continue with other fuel savings measures to build on the weight reduction initiatives already undertaken, or underway, which will substantially reduce the emissions produced from the fleet.

Owned by Beacon Rail, the Voyagers are running across the CrossCountry network, from Aberdeen, Scotland, to Penzance, England.

Alstom’s Voyager and Super Voyager inter-city trains have already served passengers across England, Scotland and Wales for over two decades. Operating at speeds of up to 200 km/hour, they have clocked up over 414 million miles of service.

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Super-Voyagers

Escape for joyful experience

Welcome to supervoyagers.com!

At Supervoyagers, we are passionate about exploring the world, experiencing diverse cultures, and sharing our adventures with fellow travel enthusiasts like you. Our journey began in August, 2023, with a vision to inspire and inform travelers through captivating stories, practical tips, and breathtaking visuals.

Our Mission

Empower Your Wanderlust: Our mission is to empower you to embark on unforgettable journeys. We believe that travel is not just a hobby but a transformative experience that broadens horizons and enriches lives. We are here to be your travel companion, providing insights, guidance, and inspiration for your own voyages of discovery.

A World of Exploration: We envision a world where every individual has the opportunity to explore the beauty and diversity of our planet. Through our blog, we aspire to connect with travelers from all walks of life, fostering a global community that celebrates the joy of exploration.

What We Offer

• Inspiring Stories: Our blog is a treasure trove of travel narratives that take you on a journey to far-flung destinations, hidden gems, and cultural hotspots. We bring you personal accounts of our adventures, highlighting the unique moments that make each trip special.
• Practical Tips: Travel planning can be daunting, but we’re here to simplify the process. Find expert advice on everything from packing tips to budgeting, visa requirements, and safety guidelines to make your travels smooth and worry-free.
• Stunning Visuals: A picture is worth a thousand words, and we believe in the power of visuals to inspire. Explore our photo galleries and videos, capturing the beauty of the world’s landscapes, wildlife, and vibrant communities.
• Community Engagement: We value your input and love hearing about your own travel experiences. Join our community by sharing your stories, tips, and insights in the comments section. Together, we can create a vibrant hub for travel enthusiasts.

Meet the Team

Ayush A – Founder & Chief Voyager

As the founder of Supervoyagers, I’m on a perpetual quest to explore the world’s wonders. My passion for travel has taken me to remote villages, bustling metropolises, and natural wonders, all of which I eagerly share with you through our blog.

Our Expert Explorers

Our team is composed of seasoned travelers, each with a unique set of skills and a profound love for adventure. We’re dedicated to curating the best travel content and providing valuable insights to help you plan your journeys.

Join Us on This Journey

We invite you to join us on this exciting adventure of discovery, wanderlust, and cultural immersion. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with our latest posts, travel recommendations, and special offers.

Follow us on social media to become a part of our growing community of voyagers:

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Thank you for visiting Supervoyagers . We look forward to inspiring your next adventure!

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We finally know why NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft stopped communicating — scientists are working on a fix

NASA engineers have discovered the cause of a communications breakdown between Earth and the interstellar explorer Voyager 1. It would appear that a small portion of corrupted memory exists in one of the spacecraft's computers.

The glitch caused Voyager 1 to send unreadable data back to Earth, and is found in the NASA spacecraft's flight data subsystem (FDS). That's the system responsible for packaging the probe's science and engineering data before the telemetry modulation unit (TMU) and radio transmitter send it back to mission control.

The source of the issue began to reveal itself when Voyager 1 operators sent the spacecraft a "poke" on March 3, 2024. This was intended to prompt FDS to send a full memory readout back to Earth.

The readout confirmed to the NASA team that about 3% of the FDS memory had been corrupted, and that this was preventing the computer from carrying out its normal operations.

Related: NASA finds clue while solving Voyager 1's communication breakdown case

Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to leave the solar system and enter interstellar space in 2012. Voyager 2 followed its spacecraft sibling out of the solar system in 2018, and is still operational and communicating well with  Earth.

After 11 years of interstellar exploration, in Nov. 2023, Voyager 1's binary code — the computer language it uses to communicate with Earth — stopped making sense. Its 0's and 1's didn't mean anything anymore.

"Effectively, the call between the spacecraft and the Earth was still connected, but Voyager's 'voice' was replaced with a monotonous dial tone," Voyager 1's engineering team previously  told Space.com .

The team strongly suspects this glitch is the result of a single chip that's responsible for storing part of the affected portion of the FDS memory ceasing to work.

Currently, however, NASA can’t say for sure what exactly caused that particular issue. The chip could have been struck by a high-speed energetic particle from space or, after 46 years serving Voyager 1, it may simply have worn out.

Related Stories:

—  Voyager 2: An iconic spacecraft that's still exploring 45 years on

—  NASA's interstellar Voyager probes get software updates beamed from 12 billion miles away

—  NASA Voyager 2 spacecraft extends its interstellar science mission for 3 more years

Voyager 1 currently sits around 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) from Earth, which means it takes 22.5 hours to receive a radio signal from it — and another 22.5 hours for the spacecraft to receive a response via the Deep Space Network's antennas. Solving this communication issue is thus no mean feat.

Yet, NASA scientists and engineers are optimistic they can find a way to help FDS operate normally, even without the unusable memory hardware.

Solving this issue could take weeks or even months, according to NASA — but if it is resolved, Voyager 1 should be able to resume returning science data about what lies outside the solar system.

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Class 221 Super Voyager

Dapol plans new batch of ‘Super Voyagers’

JONATHAN NEWTON 18th March 2023

Dapol is planning another batch of ‘N’ gauge Class 221 ‘Super Voyager’ five-car sets for release later this year, following completion of new livery artwork.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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Your 48-hour tour guide of Moscow this winter!

9 am – Visit the Red Square 

Christmas market on Red Square

The first thing that every tourist should do by default is visit the very heart of Moscow – it’s main and most beautiful (which ‘krasnaya’ actually meant in Old Russian) square! 

There are several ways to explore it:

• Take a selfie with Spasskaya Tower
• Have a warm drink at the Christmas market (which lasts until mid-January)
• Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum
• Shop in the gorgeous adjacent GUM department store
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral (and learn that it’s actually several churches under one roof).           

11 am – It’s Kremlin time! 

Inside the Moscow Kremlin

Entering the Kremlin is, actually, a bit of a quest, as it’s a presidential facility with no general access. You need to buy a ticket or, better still, book a guided tour. Inside the Kremlin’s walls, you will find ancient cathedrals, in which Russian tsars used to be crowned and buried, as well as explore the magnificent architecture of the Kremlin that reflects the rich history of the country. And, finally, you could also make a quick visit to the Moscow Kremlin Museums and admire artifacts from various Russian tsarist eras: carriages, thrones, crowns and the most incredible armory and jewelry. 

For more information, visit the official website of the Kremlin . It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm (and it’s closed on Thursdays) in winter.

2 pm – Watch the changing of the Guard

The honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A very spectacular (and free) thing to do is watch how the honor guard does their ceremonial change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame, situated in Alexander Garden, right next to the Kremlin wall. Every hour, from 8 am to 8 pm, the 1st Company of the Kremlin (Presidential) Regiment performs this rather old and beautiful tradition. But, be warned, it's often overcrowded. 

3 pm – Enjoy a green oasis just in the center

Florarium in Zaryadye

Just a few steps from the Red Square, you will find the fabulous Zaryadye park. Opened in 2017, it is designed by renowned American architect bureau ‘Diller Scofidio + Renfro’. You can walk among the very cozy botanical decorations and explore Russia’s climate zones, as each of them is represented in dedicated areas, complete with flora from those zones.

The floating bridge in Zaryadye Park

The park also has an underground museum, an “ice cave” and a 3D cinema, where you can take part in a virtual adventure – a flight over Moscow! However, the piece de resistance is a floating boomerang bridge over the Moskva River, one of the best places to take a selfie.

You can also grab a quick lunch or relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the park.

7 pm – Arrange a ballet night

The Bolshoi Theater

Of course, the most fancy way to finish your day in Moscow would be to go to the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater (in a perfect world, to see ‘The Nutcracker’!). However, getting tickets to the Bolshoi is not an easy task and should be done well in advance of your visit. 

But, don’t be upset if you don’t manage to get tickets to the Bolshoi. Moscow has dozens of other options to see a ballet (or opera). No less brilliant performances can be seen in the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater or in The State Kremlin Palace (by the way, this is another way to get a quick glimpse inside the Kremlin!).

10:30 pm – Have a late dinner in a fancy restaurant

Dr Zhivago restaurant

There are not so many other cities with such a big choice of restaurants in a range of tastes and styles. In 2021, the authoritative Michelin guide announced their pick of the best of Moscow’s restaurants. And here’s our guide to all the places with Russian cuisine for any budget. But, if you happen to be in the area of the Bolshoi or Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater, then ‘Dr. Zhivago’ would definitely be a nice option (and it’s open around the clock).

DAY 2 

9 am – grab a moscow coffee.

Winter festivities mood in Moscow

Moscow is definitely a coffee city! You can find coffee shops on every corner and they all offer a huge range of drinks. Try a ‘raf’ coffee, a sweet, creamy drink that was created in Russia, or dare to pick one of the very unusual offers, like cheese coffee or a Soviet candy style one (check out our coffee guide here ).

10 am – Take a river cruise

Winter boating along the Moskva River

Another exciting way to explore Moscow is to observe it from the water. Boats cruise along the Moskva River all year round. Most begin their route from the Hotel Ukraine, one of Stalin's ‘Seven Sister’ skyscrapers, and will bring you back to the same spot after passing the medieval Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University and Luzhniki Stadium, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and giant monument to Peter the Great and many other sightseeings. 

It’s always at optimum temperature inside the boat, which also has huge panoramic windows. Select boats also offer a full dining experience, so it is also a nice place to have breakfast or lunch.

If you are not a water person, then discover other, unusual sides of Moscow – pick one of the activities we’ve prepared for you here ! 

1 pm – Visit ‘Russia’ Expo and taste a bunch of Russian regional cuisines

Russia Expo at VDNKh

Until April 2024, the Soviet-era VDNKh exhibition park is hosting the huge ‘Russia’ expo, with tons of activities and expositions devoted to Russia, its culture, science and nature. Check out our special guide on what to do there!  

An entire ‘House of Russian Cuisine’ has been opened at the expo. You will find 15 food stands with flagship dishes from Kamchatka, Siberia, Karelia and other regions of Russia. Imagine trying a range of cuisines and dishes in one place without even having to travel anywhere, be it Altai pelmeni, Tula kalach or Caucasian pies! A perfect place to grab some lunch.

House of Russian cuisines at VDNKh

The VDNKh exhibition park is a great place to visit, in general! Its pavilions are the perfect example of Stalinit Empire style architecture and you can almost feel as if you’ve traveled back in time! You will also find several interesting museums in the park – devoted to space exploration, Russian history and even a ‘Special Purpose Garage’, which showcases the various vehicles used by the country’s leaders. 

'Sun of Moscow' wheel

And, finally, you can ride Europe's tallest panoramic wheel – ‘Sun of Moscow’ – that will give you panoramic views of the city – from a height of 140 meters!

5 pm – Ice skate with view & mulled wine

Ice skating rink on Red Square (GUM department store on the background)

Ice skating is one of the most popular and affordable activities in Moscow. There are several great ice skating rinks in picturesque locations that are open all winter long. One of the biggest rinks in Europe is also at the aforementioned VDNKh or you can visit the one in Gorky Park, another very popular Moscow spot, or the small, but fancy rink – right on Red Square! 

All the parks offer ice skate rental, so the only things you need are warm clothes, a charged phone to record your memories and a good mood!  Moscow also gets dark at 4:30 pm in winter and hundreds of lights are switched on, turning the city into a giant fairy tale! 

A mulled wine with a view

And, if you are not a sports person, we’ve picked several other unusual activities that you could do in Moscow instead. For example, did you know that there is an entire district of dacha (countryside) houses, just 10 minutes from the center, surrounded by giant new highrises? How about taking a stroll there and feeling the early Soviet atmosphere?

8 pm – Warm up & laugh out loud

After all these outdoor activities, what could be better than a warm cozy bar with a hot drink and nice company? Moscow is a city full of entertainment for all tastes. So, if you know the Russian language or want to practice it, go to a theater or catch a stand-up comedy show. Moscow even has comedy shows in English, where you can hear both Russians speaking fluent English or foreigners (including Brits and Americans) who live in Russia speaking in broken or heavily-accented Russian (Check their show dates on the ‘ Moscow English Comedy ’ Telegram channel)!

11 pm – Finish by partying the night away!

Propaganda club in Moscow

Moscow never sleeps, as you might have heard. Which means there are plenty of bars and nightclubs where you can have a drink (or two or three; be sure to check out how Russians make Black Russian and White Russian cocktails) and chat with incredibly different people. Have fun and don’t miss your flight (or miss it and stay longer in the best city in the world!)!

That's it! See you soon in Moscow

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Gorky Park and Sparrow Hills: Green Lungs, place to relax and meet

Gorky Park and Sparrow Hills

The history of the gorky.

The park was built in Soviet times between the two world wars and named after the author Maxim Gorky at the time. Up until the turn of the century, the area not far from the center was only a residential area with huge estates and then, in the turmoil of the civil war and shortly afterwards, served as an illegal landfill where citizens and entrepreneurs disposed of their garbage. After intensive cleaning in the early communist years, the site was first used as an agricultural exhibition in the mid-1920s until the Moscow City Council decided to set up a park here that was accessible to all citizens of Moscow. After all, this was supposed to take a full ten years of construction. Throughout the entire Soviet period, the park was incredibly popular and familiar to every Soviet citizen, whether from Moscow or not.

Rebirth after basic renovation

However, after the end of the Soviet Union, the area fell into disrepair – cheap hustle and bustle like shooting booths and slowly rusting rides shaped the sad picture. Only outsiders got lost in the park, which lived more from its reputation than from the sad reality. Only with the fundamental and just as expensive renovation in 2011 did the Gorky become the park it was once loved by the locals. Especially the promenade along the river with its large sunbathing areas in summer and the numerous ice rinks for ice skating in winter now attract thousands of locals to Gorky every day. Countless food and café stands scattered across the site provide visitors with everything imaginable – from Georgian delicacies, a decent café to traditional Russian kvass, or ice cream and smoothies in summer.

Concerts, art and privacy place

Even bigger crowd pullers are just the concerts in the park and these have a long tradition here. In 2018 alone, David Guetta, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Killers and Lana del Rey performed numerous international music greats Open Air. But even outside the big events there is always something to see in the Gorky. The modern art center “Garage” (website https://garagemca.org/en ) in the park holds regular art and design exhibitions. In addition, the art center gave the park the largest children’s playground in all of Russia for its 90th birthday in 2018. Numerous play equipment, including 29 different swings alone, are the perfect place to spend a few hours with the youngsters. Pedal boats can also be rented at several locations in the park, for example at the Andreevsky ponds, which is also suitable for children. Sports courses for adults are held regularly in the park. From jogging to yoga or Pilates there are organized courses – beach volleyball fields, soccer fields and an open air fitness studio offer further opportunities to do sports. Afterwards, beer gardens invite you to linger – all of this happens primarily in the central part of Gorky Park, known as the Neskuchny Garden. Would you like to experience Gorky Park and the magic of Moscow by yourself? Then you need a visa first – you can find out how to get it here !

Away from the central part: Muzeon and Sparrow Hills

In the section called Muzeon north of the Crimean Bridge there are over 1000 statues, Soviet monuments and modern art facilities. This open-air museum-like section of the Gorky invites you to take a walk that takes you past oversized and pompous Soviet busts as well as avant-garde art objects of the 21st century. Surrounded by statues of Lenin, this section looks partly surreal. The Stalin statue in particular, which had its nose removed, magically attracts visitors. For photographers, the sometimes slightly rusty busts and remains from the Soviet era offer great motifs. If you’d like to improve yourself as a promising photographer, you can even take a photography course in the park at Photoplay ( https://photoplay.ru/courses/workshop/photoplayatgorky.html ) At 2900 rubles, i.e. just under $ 41, this is significantly more affordable than comparable products in Asia or Australia. No wonder this section is considered an Instagram paradise for Moscow’s exploding hipster scene. Events are also held time and again in the Muzeon – for example, the warm months over and over here are held cinema screenings outdoors. Russian classics such as international cinema are shown. You have absolute peace in the Sparrow Hills, which also belong to the park but are spatially separated from the other part. About four kilometers further along the Moskva River out of town is this section of the Gorky Park, which is largely natural. There, just opposite the large Luzhniki Stadium on the other side of the Moskva River, where the Olympics and the World Cup finals have already taken place, there is another privacy place in the middle of Moscow. At the highest point of the Sparrow Hills, to which a cable car leads, you have a fantastic view of Moscow.

Alexander Popov

Welcome to Russia! My name is Alexander, I was born in Moscow and I'm a passionate tour guide. I want to share my passion for Russia and my hometown with you. On my website you will find useful information to make your individual trip to Russia as interesting as possible.

Moscow’s Top 13 – The Main Attractions of the Russian capital

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