A refurbished train has re-entered passenger service in the North East following a major overhaul.
CrossCountry welcomed the first upgraded Voyager train back into service as part of a £75 million investment to modernise its long-distance fleet on Tuesday (February 24).
The train returned to service following a comprehensive refurbishment at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane site in Derby.
The relaunch marks a major milestone in the programme, and the upgraded trains are now entering service every few weeks.
Shiona Rolfe, managing director of CrossCountry, said: "The Voyager fleet has 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 are a mainstay on our network for more years to come – but more importantly, that they deliver a complete transformation in journey experience for our passengers."
The first refurbished Voyager (unit number 220033) has travelled more than 5.8 million miles during its lifetime, the equivalent of more than 12 return trips to the moon.
The refreshed train made an afternoon departure from Alstom’s Central Rivers depot before entering passenger service.
On its first day back in operation, it served the 2.28pm service from Birmingham to Newcastle and the 6.33pm service from Newcastle to Birmingham, which should see it clock up a total of 479 miles.
The refurbishment is part of a two-year programme that will see all 70 Voyager trains upgraded with:
- new, more spacious seating
- increased legroom
- improved under-seat storage
- power points at every seat (including 3-pin, USB-A, and USB-C ports).
Other improvements include upgraded tables, new carpets, refreshed interior and exterior artwork, more energy-efficient LED lighting, refurbished toilets, and upgraded CCTV systems.
The programme is designed to future-proof the fleet and significantly improve passenger comfort and convenience.
The Voyager trains, introduced in 2000, helped double CrossCountry passenger numbers from 12 million in 1997 to 24 million by 2007.
In 2025, the operator reported nearly 40 million journeys across more than 100 stations in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Steve Harvey, services director for UK and Ireland at Alstom, said: "Seeing the first refurbished Voyager return to passenger service is a proud moment for everyone involved.
"This programme is about extending the life of a well proven fleet while delivering a step change in comfort, accessibility and onboard experience for passengers.
"Working closely with CrossCountry and Beacon, our teams at Litchurch Lane and Central Rivers are applying their expertise to ensure these trains are refreshed to a high standard and ready to serve the Great British network for years to come."
The refurbished Voyager will operate on CrossCountry’s long-distance routes connecting Birmingham with Manchester, Bristol and the South West, Reading and Bournemouth, as well as Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland.
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CrossCountry is a long-distance passenger train operator connecting more than 100 stations across the UK, including Aberdeen, Penzance, Stansted, Cardiff, and Birmingham.
The broader upgrade programme also includes refurbishments to CrossCountry’s Class 170 Turbostar fleet, which currently operates between Birmingham, Leicester and Stansted Airport, and Cardiff, Birmingham and Nottingham.
The ongoing work is intended to ensure both fleets remain modern, efficient, and ready to meet future passenger needs.
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