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    The Class 222 Meridian: EMR’s Underrated Workhorse!



    The Class 222 Meridian: EMR’s Underrated Workhorse!

    An underrated and soon to be retired gem!

    Date of Travel: May 2023
    Class of Travel: Standard Class (2nd Class)
    Rolling Stock: Class 222 Meridian
    Type of Service: Express Passenger
    Operator: East Midlands Railway
    Train Number: 1C62
    Origin: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom (England)
    Destination: London St Pancras International, United Kingdom (England)
    Cost of ticket: £13.70 ($17.35, €15.90)

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    23 Comments

    2. Fan 652 on

      Sadly you did not mention the Brush factory at Loughborough which built BR class 31 and 47 diesel locos. The works is right by the station. And, by the way, Leicester is where one of the most important scientific discoveries of modern times was made. DNA testing, sometimes called Genetic Fingerprinting. This testing is of world wide importance in determining criminal cases and other disputes.

    3. Svartmetall Sverige! on

      So many British grains look very worn out these days with faded fabrics that look greasy and everything looking slightly grimy and unappealing. It boggles my mind how this is the case with our extortionate ticket prices.

    4. Desmond Atkinson on

      Another enjoyable video, Dylan. I would have been interested to see what you made of the buffet and whether the coffee was any better from there. I do hope the opportunity is taken to use the surplus 222s to bolster the CrossCountry fleet, but that might be too sensible and generous for the DfT to stomach!

    6. HarrierJames on

      06:30 one of my favourite touches about these sets is the sign indicating where standard ends and first class begins – it's in the shape of a scythe! Presumably to reflect Sheffield's history in blade production.

    7. Steve Hornsby on

      I love your videos and the easy way you present them. Only one question. You say those on the middle and top tier of your patron will get credit at the end of your videos. I have never seen any.

    8. Andrew Gwilt on

      Class 222 Meridians are very nice and the seats are very comfortable. But they are to be replaced by the Class 810 Aurora which will be in service from next year. Sheffield has always been in South Yorkshire. Chesterfield could of been in South Yorkshire but apparently it’s in north Derbyshire.

    10. Maciej on

      I traveled aboard this train many times. It's usually filthy both inside and outside, and also seats are not comfortable at all! The foam inside is worn and you can feel metal rod just under your knees, so your legs get numb after 30 minutes.

    12. David Finch on

      I travelled in First Class on one of these 222s at the beginning of July from Nottingham to Leicester and return. A comfortable seat with plenty of leg room, nice and quiet and with attentive on-board staff. Worth the upgrade if one's budget allows.

    13. Francis Scarborough-Smith on

      The main issue I have with the Meridians is that they were introduced by Stagecoach when the route became 'East Midlands Trains' and steadily replaced the HSTs which in their 'Midland Mainline' guise were wonderfully classy and spacious. Add in the stripping back of the customer service by Stagecoach, the massively reduced capacity and the end of the free tea and coffee. The route has never been as good since. I'm looking forward to the replacements arriving asap and the Meridians smell being long gone.

    18. Hannah Watters on

      I went to Sheffield in April 2022 and to Glasgow back in March this year and Glasgow subway 🚇 went to Keswick then Blackpool on trams we got day tickets we got were at 12noon then we have lunch we went up tower then on trams then tram back into Blackpool then to get tearful then to Cewe to train 🚂 south then back to edinburgh home 🏡

    21. David Williams on

      I noticed that all your videos show half full train cars. I've been riding trains all over England and Scotland, and nearly all that were full and beyond. My Monday morning train from York to London found some of us sitting or standing in the areas between cars. I found myself at the unenviable place of sitting in front of the loo, which seemed to be in constant use during our two hour trip to King's Cross.

    23. Owen N Pavey on

      Yes,ive always liked them,and in fact they have got better with age,especially with the newish external livery,some of the 4 coach variants have been given a full coat of the purple paint which looks a bit like the maroon of the LMS on a dull day,rather appropriate for the Midlands.I was a bit shocked when i first got on one,having bieng used to the low wide chunky seats of the HST carraiges,the tall one piece off white plastic mould of the the rear of the seats felt like it was blocking the view of the windows but of course during the pandemic it came into its own to shield each customer from the person in front.
      The red upholstery has not faired well in terms of staining,with headrests gaining a black edge but they have never frayed and always feel comfortable,not cramped like the XC Voyager seats and leg room.Ride quality pulling out of a station was never going to be as smooth as the HST with its engine at one end,but 40mph through to 90mph it starts to come alive,especially on the gradient between Dronfield and Chesterfield.Has been a problem with the conductors announcements either cutting out or just not bieng loud enough so maybe a few issues,but they have never spilt my milk or suffered breakdowns,or felt too cold or too hot.Overall,8 our of 10 for me.

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