Alstom has announced that they have signed a £60m contract with CrossCountry which will see the operator’s Voyager trains refurbished both inside and out.
The work, which will take place on 312 carriages (136 Class 220 Voyagers and 176 Class 221 Super Voyagers). 252 cars will come from the CrossCountry fleet, whilst an additional 60 carriages will come from Avanti West Coast.
Physical work is expected to take place between 2025 and 2027, with around 100 Alstom staff working on the project.
Trains will receive new seats and tables as part of the interior refresh, whilst the trains will receive CrossCountry’s new livery.
“For more than 20 years, CrossCountry’s Voyagers have proudly served towns and cities across Great Britain – travelling millions of miles in the process. We now look forward to giving these iconic Alstom-built trains some well-deserved TLC with a comprehensive overhaul that will include new seats, on-board technology enhancements and an exterior repaint,”
“Not only will the refurbishment delight fare-paying customers with increased levels of comfort and accessibility, the overhaul programme will support UK suppliers and skilled jobs across the country.”
Peter Broadley, Managing Director, Services UK and Ireland at Alstom
Responses
Whilst all the Voyagers’ interiors are in a dreadful condition their mechanical condition can also be dreadful. Some have dreadful engine vibration whilst others have a dreadful ride. I actively avoid them but have had to endure them during disruption. We should get compensation just for traveling on them.
My prayer for more comfortable seats will be in vain. If they were scrapped I think it unlikely that the replacements would be any better.
Truly awful trains – hope as others have said that there will be a greater feeling of space – I’d have been happy to see the ex TFW 175’s used again . fast and spacious
Will they provide improved cycle and luggage storage? I hope so.
The interiors are claustrophobic and the source of passenger stress and anxiety during busy periods.
About time ! The Cross Country trains I have experienced recently are well past their best before date. Furthermore, refurbishing existing vehicles is far greener than scrapping and building new ones.
Needs more cars not prettier ones.
Typical arriva cheaper to refurb old unitd than get new more environmentally friendly trains for the network…
New seats and tables, yes but hopefully not in the exact same cramped locations. The big problem is those noisy and vibrating engines under your feet. Alstom will struggle to polish what has always been a turd.
That is one great looking livery. I wonder if in time it will be applied to XCs’ 170s’ as well?