CrossCountry Unveils First Refurbished HST

The 125mph diesel-powered HST, one of five being introduced this year, will regularly operate on CrossCountry's North East - South West route, serving key towns and cities including; Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham, Wakefield, Leeds, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Derby, Birmingham, Cheltenham, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth

The Company's exciting HST refurbishment programme includes a redesign of the First Class and Standard carriages, providing extra capacity that will see each HST having 542 seats spread between eight carriages - that's more seats than a jumbo jet!

The carriages feature contemporary and modern colour schemes and have been fitted with new seating and tables, carpets, curtains, refreshed toilet facilities, enhanced lighting and power sockets throughout. Importantly, the refurbishment also delivers significantly more space for luggage. The power cars are fitted with new MTU-built engines to increase reliability, improve fuel efficiency and produce lower emissions.

Andy Cooper, Managing Director at CrossCountry said; "We're delighted to have our first HST operating. These trains deliver the extra capacity our passengers and stakeholders tell us they want, and their introduction also means we're on track to deliver our promise of increasing seating by 35 per cent. I'm certain these trains will provide our customers with a comfortable and relaxing journey."

Andy added; "We have already received excellent feedback from passengers who have travelled on this train and we will continue to monitor their comments and feedback to help provide the highest possible standard of customer service and experience on our HSTs."

Please find notes to Editors, CrossCountry facts and figures below.
For more information feel free to contact us on 0121 2006115 or by email to [email protected]

CrossCountry has moved offices. Our new address is CrossCountry Communications Department, 5th Floor, Cannon House, Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 6BS

Notes to editors

Pictured is CrossCountry's first refurbished HST passing by Houndwood in the Scottish borders between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Dunbar.

The MTU engines fitted are of the type 16V 4000 R41, which give a maximum power of 2,720 kW. This type of engine is widely used on ferries, merchant vessels, yachts, railway vehicles and heavy machinery. They have been developed by MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH, Germany and Detroit Diesel Inc, USA.

CrossCountry started operating on 11 November 2007. The franchise, which is the most extensive in the UK, will run until 31 March 2016. For further information on CrossCountry services and future franchise plans log on to www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

CrossCountry is part of the Arriva group which operates transport services in 12 European countries, employs more than 38,000 people and provides more than one billion passenger journeys every year. For more information about the Arriva group visit www.arriva.co.uk

CrossCountry facts and figures

STATIONS SERVED: 131
ROUTE MILES: 1,654
WEEKDAY SERVICES: 288
PASSENGERS CARRIED: Over 30 million passenger journeys a year anticipated
ANNUAL TRAIN MILEAGE: Approximately 16 million
EMPLOYEES: Approximately 1,800
LONGEST TRAIN SERVICE: Penzance to Dundee (701 miles)

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Contact Information

CrossCountry Press Office: [email protected]

About CrossCountry

CrossCountry is a long-distance passenger train operator, with a network stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff and calling at over 100 stations. Based in Birmingham, CrossCountry connects seven of Britain’s 10 largest cities and delivers 240 services every weekday, equating to over 42 million passenger journeys each year.

For further information on CrossCountry services, visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk or visit one of our social media platforms via X @crosscountryuk or Facebook at facebook.com/crosscountrytrains