British Rail Class 255

British Rail Class 255 Challenger
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	British Rail Engineering Limited
Type of locomotive	High Speed Train
Family name	High Speed Train
Constructed	Never built
Number built	Result: 0 sets Planned: 14 sets
Classification	255
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Prime mover	Paxman Valenta 12 cyl 12RP200L
Service information
In service	Never Introduced
Preservation information
Preserved	Not preserved, never built

The British Rail Class 255 was a proposed Trainset design that would have been nicknamed the "HST Challenger" for use by Virgin CrossCountry.

History

In 2002, Class 255 was allocated for the reformation of some HST power cars and trailers into semi-fixed formation trains, to be known as Virgin Challengers, for use by Virgin CrossCountry after the introduction of its new Voyagers (classes 220 and 221).

These formations would have had power cars sandwiching one Trailer First, a Trailer Buffet, two Trailer Seconds and a Trailer Guard Second, and were intended for use on planned services between Blackpool, Manchester and Birmingham, and Paddington to Birmingham via Swindon. These plans were later abandoned with the Strategic Rail Authority deciding to transfer most of the stock to Midland Mainline for London St Pancras to Manchester Project Rio services.

Trivia

• Not much information is known regarding this trainset