There are also a number of additional sets in storage, having been stood down from Avanti West Coast in December 2024.

The trains have air-operated (pneumatic) and rheostatic brakes, with an emergency stopping distance of 350 m (1,150 ft) at 60 mph (97 km/h).

On some units, the at-seat audio entertainment system is still present however it has now been disabled since the Wi-Fi hotspots were introduced.

[citation needed] Avanti West Coast used the Class 221 units primarily between London Euston, Chester, Wrexham and North Wales.

[20] In June 2022, 221142 and 221143 were the first Class 221 units to be returned to their owners after their leases to Avanti West Coast ended.

[23] In June 2023, it was announced that Grand Central would be leasing two Class 221 units (numbers 221142 and 221143)[24] for use on services between London Kings Cross and Bradford Interchange.

[2] 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.

Other members of the Voyager class suffered similar fires in the 2005-2006 period due to an incorrectly performed engine overhaul.

[28] 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.

[29] On 4 July 2009, unit 221112 was involved in a collision with a set of freight train container doors on the Eden Valley Loop at Penrith.

[30] On 20 November 2013, a Virgin Super Voyager (unit 221105) overran the platform and ran into the buffers at Chester.

[31][32] The RAIB report concluded that this was due to exceptionally low adhesion between wheels and rails, combined with the train's sanding system being inadequate.

[33] In June 2014, one vehicle in CrossCountry unit 220007 was damaged after it caught fire at Eastleigh Works.

[citation needed] Individual vehicles, as-built, were numbered in the ranges as follows:[1] All units have received names:[37][38]