CrossCountry has revealed the first refurbished train in its Voyager fleet, marking the start of a £75 million investment programme to modernise long-distance services across Britain.
The newly upgraded train was presented on Tuesday 10 February at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works in Derby, where around 130 staff have been delivering the refurbishment. The fleet is maintained and overhauled by Alstom at its Central Rivers depot.
The first train to emerge from the programme, unit 220033, has travelled more than 5.8 million miles since entering service in 2000; the equivalent of travelling to the moon and back more than 12 times.
Over the next two years, all 70 Voyager trains will undergo a comprehensive interior and exterior refresh. Improvements include new seating with increased legroom, integrated 3-pin and USB charging points, upgraded tables, new carpets, enhanced LED lighting, refurbished toilets and vestibules, and upgraded CCTV and passenger counting systems.
The aim is to deliver a brighter, more comfortable and consistent experience across both standard and first class, while extending the life of a fleet that has been central to long-distance travel for more than two decades.
Originally introduced to replace older British Rail stock, the Voyagers helped transform intercity services, with modern features such as air conditioning and electronic reservations contributing to a significant rise in passenger numbers in the early 2000s. In 2025 alone, CrossCountry carried 39.6 million journeys, serving more than 100 stations across England, Scotland and Wales.
Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry, said the refurbishment represents a clear commitment to improving the customer experience.
“These upgrades will ensure the Voyager fleet continues to meet modern expectations for comfort, sustainability and security,” she said.
The programme is funded by rolling stock owner Beacon, which leases the trains to CrossCountry and is investing £75.1 million in the works. Alstom has confirmed that materials removed during the refurbishment will be recycled in line with its zero-waste-to-landfill policy.
Alongside the Voyager programme, CrossCountry is continuing to refresh its Class 170 Turbostar fleet, with seven updated trains already in service on regional routes including Birmingham to Stansted Airport and Cardiff to Nottingham.
Together, the upgrades signal a wider effort to renew existing assets and improve passenger experience ahead of longer-term fleet decisions across Britain’s rail network.
