Train operator CrossCountry is excited to announce the arrival of the first train to complete its extensive fleet refurbishment programme. This significant project is being conducted at Arriva TrainCare’s Crewe depot and is funded by Porterbrook, the UK's leading rolling stock financier and asset management company, which owns the fleet.
The reintroduction of the Class 170 ‘Turbostar’ unit 170101 into CrossCountry’s inter-regional fleet represents a crucial milestone in the operator’s ongoing efforts to enhance its services.
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 decisions in the refurbishment process are set to make the vehicles more efficient as the programme advances through the fleet. The refurbishment is being conducted at Arriva TrainCare’s Crewe depot on behalf of Porterbrook.
In the coming months, the newly upgraded trains will enhance journeys on CrossCountry’s inter-regional routes, including Cardiff to Nottingham via Birmingham, and Birmingham to Stansted Airport via Leicester. CrossCountry first leased the fleet from Porterbrook 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.
Image credit: Cross Country
