First upgraded Voyager train returns to CrossCountry

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has welcomed passengers onboard its first refurbished Voyager train – the first in a £75 million investment programme to modernise the fleet.

The first refurbished unit ran between Birmingham and Newcastle, while the new‑look trains will appear on routes serving York as the roll‑out continues over the next two years.

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After running to Birmingham New Street, the service will be open to passengers travelling on the 14:28 from Birmingham to Newcastle and the 18:33 from Newcastle to Birmingham.

Alongside the improvements to its Voyager fleet, CrossCountry’s Class 170 Turbostar fleet is continuing another refresh.

Several new-look trains are now serving routes between Birmingham, Leicester and Stansted Airport, and Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham.

The relaunch marks a major milestone in the programme, and the upgraded trains are now entering service every few weeks.

The upgrade programme includes new seating with more legroom, improved storage, power at every seat, refurbished toilets, new carpets and artwork, LED lighting and enhanced CCTV and passenger‑counting systems.

CrossCountry’s managing director, Shiona Rolfe, said the Voyager fleet had 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 deliver a complete transformation in journey experience for our passengers,” she said.

The Voyagers were first introduced in 2000 and helped double passenger numbers on the network during the following decade. The new programme aims to extend their lifespan while raising standards for comfort and accessibility.

The newly-refurbished Voyager 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.