Alstom Wins £60 Million Contract: Voyager Trains Modernization for CrossCountry

Alstom has secured a £60 million (€70 million) contract to modernize Voyager trains serving CrossCountry routes, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The contract includes the overhaul of 312 carriages, comprising 136 Voyager (Class 220) and 176 Super Voyager (Class 221) units.

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These carriages will be updated at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane factory.

The renovation will feature a complete interior upgrade, including new seating, tables, carpets, and improved lighting. The exterior of the carriages will also be refreshed with a new CrossCountry livery.

Environmental considerations are a key focus—new seats will be 95% recyclable, and the materials used will help reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

The project will commence immediately, with physical reconstruction starting in Derby in 2025 and continuing until 2027.

Approximately 100 Alstom employees and a broader network of UK suppliers will be involved in the project.

Peter Brodie, Managing Director of Alstom Services UK and Ireland, noted that Voyager trains have been serving the UK for over 20 years, and the company is excited to update them with new technologies and interior enhancements.

Voyager trains, owned by Beacon Rail, operate routes across the UK from Aberdeen to Penzance.

Adrian Hughill, Director of Fleet and Engineering at CrossCountry, highlighted the importance of this project in enhancing passenger comfort on long-distance journeys.

This contract represents the next phase in the long-term partnership between Alstom and CrossCountry.

Previously, Alstom extended its maintenance and repair agreement for Voyager trains by eight years, worth £825 million (€950 million), ensuring support for the fleet until 2031.

In June 2024, Alstom also signed a £370 million (€430 million) contract to supply 10 new nine-car Aventra trains for the London Elizabeth line.

Voyager and Super Voyager trains, built by Alstom, have been in service for over two decades, covering more than 427 million miles across the UK, remaining a crucial part of the country’s rail network.

Photo: Alstom

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