CrossCountry unveils first refurbished Voyager train

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has today, Tuesday 10 February, unveiled the first refurbished train of its Voyager fleet - marking the start of a £75 million investment to deliver a brighter, more comfortable experience for passengers across Britain.

Revealing the new-look train at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works in Derby, CrossCountry colleagues and invited guests were invited to tour the train and experience the improvements first-hand – with the refreshed train set to be back on the tracks soon.

The Voyager fleet is maintained, serviced and overhauled by Alstom at its Central Rivers Depot, while the refurbishment has been carried out by around 130 staff at its Derby Litchurch Lane facility. Since it was first built, the first train to be refurbished (220033) has clocked up 5,811,605 miles of travel – or to the moon and back more than 12 times.

Elsewhere, CrossCountry’s Class 170 Turbostar fleet continues its own refresh programme, with seven revitalised trains now in service on routes between Birmingham, Leicester and Stansted Airport, and between Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham.

The long-distance Voyager fleet has been a cornerstone of Britain’s rail network for over two decades. Originally built in 2000, the trains replaced former British Rail stock and set new standards for comfort and reliability.

Modern features like air-conditioning and electronic reservations helped transform long-distance travel, doubling passenger numbers from 12 million in 1997 to 24 million by 2007. In 2025, CrossCountry delivered a total of 39.6 million journeys, calling at more than 100 stations across the England, Scotland and Wales.

The refurbishment programme delivers a fully refreshed interior and exterior, creating a modern and consistent look throughout the fleet, across both standard and first class. The work will ensure CrossCountry’s Voyagers deliver comfortable, more enjoyable journeys for years to come. Over the next two years, all 70 trains in CrossCountry’s long-distance fleet will see:

• New seating with increased legroom, improved under-seat storage and integrated power sockets (3-pin, USB-A and USB-C)
• Upgraded tables at all seats
• New carpets throughout and refreshed interior and exterior artwork
• New, more efficient LED lighting throughout
• Refurbished toilets and vestibules throughout the trains
• New and upgraded onboard CCTV, forward-facing cameras and automatic passenger counters

CrossCountry’s Managing Director, Shiona Rolfe, said: “This train marks an important step in our commitment to improving the experience for everyone who travels with us. The Voyager fleet has served passengers well for more than two decades, and these upgrades will ensure it continues to meet modern expectations for comfort, sustainability and security.

“We’re proud to be investing in the future of long-distance rail travel and look forward to welcoming passengers on board our refreshed trains.”

In line with Alstom’s policy of sending no waste to landfill, would-be waste material from the refurbishment process is set to be recycled, with options being explored on how to make the most of these as the programme continues.

Steve Harvey, Alstom's Services Director UK and Ireland, said: “This milestone reflects the strength of Alstom’s refurbishment capabilities in the UK and the expertise of our team in Derby. Upgrading a fleet as intensively used as the Voyagers demands precision, innovation and deep technical knowledge – and our people have delivered exactly that. Working closely with CrossCountry and Beacon, we’re ensuring this trusted fleet is equipped for many more years of reliable and comfortable service for passengers across Great Britain. 

"I’m proud of the quality and dedication our team has brought to the first Voyager to leave Litchurch Lane and I know that same commitment will define every train we deliver throughout this programme.”

British rolling stock company Beacon leases the Voyager fleet to CrossCountry – investing a total of £75.1million in the fleet refurbishment.

Adam Cunliffe, Beacon Rail’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Beacon is proud to support CrossCountry in delivering this substantial upgrade to the Voyager fleet. These trains have underpinned long-distance rail travel in Britain for more than two decades, and this investment ensures they remain reliable, comfortable, and fit for the future. Through our close partnership with CrossCountry and Alstom, we remain committed to providing sustainable, high-quality rolling stock that enhances the passenger experience.”