Revitalised inter-regional CrossCountry fleet set to transform journeys

Train operator CrossCountry has welcomed the arrival of the first train to go through its multi-million pound fleet refurbishment programme.

The programme is being carried out at Arriva TrainCare’s Crewe depot and funded by UK rolling stock financier and asset management company Porterbrook, which owns the fleet.

The reintroduction of Class 170 ‘Turbostar’ unit 170101 to CrossCountry’s inter-regional fleet marks a vital milestone in the train operator’s fleet refurbishment programme. Throughout 29 trains - totalling 80 carriages - the programme will deliver:

• New tables, seats and carpets;
• New mains and USB plug sockets at all seats;
• A full interior and exterior repaint across each carriage;
• Refreshed on-board toilets;
• Enhanced passenger information screens with more destination information;
• Increased Standard Class seating with the removal of the First Class area;
• New CCTV and automatic passenger counting equipment.

Smart choices in the refurbishment process will also mean more efficient vehicles as the programme moves through the fleet.  Over coming months, the new-look trains will transform journeys on CrossCountry’s inter-regional routes: between Cardiff and Nottingham including Long Eaton and via Birmingham, and between Birmingham and Stansted Airport via Leicester. 

The fleet was first leased from Porterbrook by CrossCountry in 2007.

Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry’s Managing Director, said: “It’s fantastic to deliver our first refurbished Turbostar train for passengers on our inter-regional routes. We know that these trains provide the bulk of the train service for a good portion of our network, and we hope passengers enjoy the significant improvements in convenience and comfort on those journeys.”

The First-Class area on the Turbostar fleet has been removed to provide increased capacity and help to alleviate crowding on some services on CrossCountry’s inter-regional routes.

Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer at Porterbrook, said: “As passenger needs evolve, it’s important that our trains do too. That’s why we continue to invest in our fleets to ensure they meet customer expectations.

“Alongside our partners at CrossCountry and Arriva TrainCare, we’re pleased to be able to present the first refurbished Class 170 into passenger service.”

Russell Fletcher, Business Development Director at Arriva TrainCare said: “We’re delighted to be supporting CrossCountry with this significant refurbishment project. The team at our Crewe depot have been working hard to deliver the major fleet overhaul, which will greatly improve the passenger experience – benefitting existing customers at the same time as encouraging even more people to travel on CrossCountry’s services.”

The Turbostar refurbishment programme is currently scheduled to finish by 2028, with refurbishment of the CrossCountry’s Voyager fleet scheduled to begin later this year.