Kettering Station 2004'

Kettering station station in 2004 still had most of is its station canopies remaining . There are four platforms at Kettering station The two over the foot bridge, numbers three and four, and were used by Midland main line trains. This means one and two were not used much in 2004 as the Corby service had not started then.

There is a buffet and ticket office at Kettering and the size of the car park shows the station is well used. It had Midland Mainlines excellent platform displays giving time now, next train due at (mins late) and stations this train is to. The main platforms are on the fast lines and non stop trains wizz though at about 90 miles an hour. The displays warn when non stop trains are coming though, yellow lines are painted on the platforms and passengers are warned to keep behind these.

The first of the class 222 entered public service on the Midland mainline at the end of May 2004. They are based on the same body design of the 'Voyager' run by Virgin Trains, but have lots of detail differences. These include seat placement with seating 2+1 in 1st class and 2+2 in 2nd class better sound proofing and many other details.

The Midland Mainline Class 222s ran in four and nine car sets making about 127 vehicles in all.

Midland Mainline class 170s were replaced by these Class 222s as the new trains came into service. Two hundred drivers needed 12 working days in the class room and on train training when these Meridians came into service.

The Midland Mainline Class 222s were built at the Bombardier Wakefield plant and then assembled in Brugge. The day to day repairs are done at Eltches Park Depot at Derby. Also some work may be done at Bombardier's Central Rivers depot.

The Meridian fleet was introduced from the end of May in 2004 with just one or two trains then in service . The Mdland Mainline's class 170s were displaced as new class 222 replaced them.

This HST power car on down Midland Mainline train is still in Virgin West Coast red with the logos removed in 2004.

Midland Mainline class 170 115 at Kettering station in 2004

GWR Hall Rood Ashton Hall no. 4965 in Kettering station in 2004

GWR Hall Rood Ashton Hall  was on the Harringworth Shuttles on Monday the 30th of August 2004. It was top and tailed with Class 37 197

 Class 37 197 was at the other end of the train above.

Class 37 197 is in the Ian Riley & Son Ltd. Two Tone Green Livery.