Refurbished Voyager train debuts with passengers on CrossCountry

CrossCountry has begun carrying passengers on the first refurbished Voyager train, marking a key step in a 75 million GBP investment to upgrade the operator’s existing fleet used on journeys across Britain, as reported by Railway News.

Meanwhile, the updated set—unit 220033—was recently launched at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works in Derby, after having travelled more than 5.8 million miles before its refurbishment.

First refurbished Voyager train: day-one passenger run

The train’s first day in service began with a departure from Alstom’s Central Rivers depot to Birmingham New Street. It then picked up passengers on the 14:28 service from Birmingham to Newcastle. At the same time, it later returned over the same route at 18:33, clocking up a total of 479 miles.

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CrossCountry Voyager refurbishment programme: what changes onboard

The CrossCountry Voyager refurbishment programme is intended to refresh both the interior and exterior of each train. All 70 units in CrossCountry’s long-distance fleet are due to receive new seating with increased legroom and improved under-seat storage, as well as integrated power at each seat.

In addition, the package includes:

• upgraded tables
• new carpets
• refreshed artwork
• more efficient LED lighting
• refurbished toilets and vestibules

Also, the programme covers upgraded onboard CCTV, forward-facing cameras, and automatic passenger counters.

CrossCountry’s Managing Director, Shiona Rolfe, said:

The Voyager fleet has been a backbone of Britain’s long-distance rail network for more than two decades. Giving them this new lease of life will ensure they are a mainstay on our network for more years to come – but more importantly, that they deliver a complete transformation in journey experience for our passengers.

Routes for the refurbished Voyager train and wider fleet work

The newly updated train will enter normal passenger service on CrossCountry’s long-distance routes from Birmingham towards Manchester, Bristol and the South West, Reading and Bournemouth, and Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland, as CrossCountry notes.

Separately, alongside improvements to its long-distance Voyager fleet, CrossCountry is also carrying out a Class 170 Turbostar refresh programme, as previously covered by Railway Supply. Several new-look trains are now serving routes between Birmingham, Leicester and Stansted Airport, and Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham.

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