XC Voyager Refurbishment

[fgwrich]

I do find it funny when people refer to the Voyager saloons as dingy whilst other threads have complaints about the 'dentist's chair' lighting on e.g. IETs and the new/refurbed Northern units. I prefer the dinge.

I am able to time my commute so I only get doubled-up Voyagers on quieter days of the week for less than 50 minutes and from that perspective they're alright. Admittedly that is a small fraction of the overall experience on them.

I think the problem with the dingy lighting is partly because it’s so irritatingly mismatched. The shape of the Voyager ceiling doesn’t help with the dark wood (cigarette stain) panel running down the middle, along with the curved overhead luggage racks which also creates dark spots.

An IET for example has a more square interior profile with clear glass racks which takes away some of the dark dingy spots.

 

[Bletchleyite]

An IET for example has a more square interior profile with clear glass racks which takes away some of the dark dingy spots.

Then you've got the Lumo ones which use blue tinted glass in the luggage racks to create a further lighting effect. All this adds to the ambiance.

 

[Davester50]

Personally don’t mind the 22x trains, it’s the grubby, scruffy XC interiors that are awful, the difference between these and the EMR Meridian’s is massive imo

The Avanti refurbishment is much better than the 222s seats (I hope if they do come up here those seats are binned), so I'd be happy if the XC refurbishment used the Avanti sets as a platform for the XC one.
It was a nice treat to get one recently.

Glass overhead racks make a huge difference on stock. More of those please.

 

[fgwrich]

Glass overhead racks make a huge difference on stock. More of those please.

And to the end of vehicles too - it’s one of the areas FGW really got right with the removal of the rather stupid wall and replacement with glass in the 2007 HST refurbishment. Not only did it allow you to see your luggage but being illuminated it just helped to open the coach out a little more from an otherwise dingy corridor.

 

[occone]

One thing I hope will be improved is how draughty voyagers are, you can really feel the breeze of the AC on them. I'm guessing it won't be though if it's just a cosmetic upgrade and not a functional one.

 

[150249]

One thing I hope will be improved is how draughty voyagers are, you can really feel the breeze of the AC on them. I'm guessing it won't be though if it's just a cosmetic upgrade and not a functional one.

I usually have the problem of voyagers being far too toasty. I'd love to have a cool one!

 

[Travelmonkey]

I usually have the problem of voyagers being far too toasty. I'd love to have a cool one!

Yep human sardine cans.

 

[GoneSouth]

I usually have the problem of voyagers being far too toasty. I'd love to have a cool one!

I had a ride on one when it was 37C a couple of summers ago. It felt like I was walking into a fridge, I shivered most of the journey.

That’s a rarity I have to admit. I was pleased to get back into the sweltering heat of Temple Meads

 

[danshrimp]

Like much of the CrossCountry experience, they deal in extremes. I did Penzance-Birmingham a few months back and the poor train manager was alternating between heating and cooling every few stops to try and maintain some control over the temperature.

 

[Russel]

Hadn't really thought about it until reading the last few posts but yeah, temperature consistency on the voyagers is non existent.

 

[ThatBloke]

Temperature variation is only likey to get worse as the automated engine start stop sytems impact the HVAC operation

 

[XCTurbostar]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

 

[fgwrich]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

Good to finally see some progress, though I see they’re still sticking with the Virgin Flowing Silk style front end (eg221101) style!

 

[LUYMun]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

Without the secondary decals the pink one looks like the SNCF's Ouigo Train Classic livery.

 

[Liam L]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

Quite a fan of that, then again anything is better than the state they are currently in!

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

Looks good.

 

[Russel]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

I like it!

Only thing I'd change is the yellow front, it would look better if it continued up and around the windscreen, as it does on the un-repainted units, the new style looks a bit awkward.

 

[tfw756rider]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

What site/page are these photos from?

Nice to see a Voyager start to get the new colours though.

 

[Russel]

What site/page are these photos from?

Nice to see a Voyager start to get the new colours though.

I saw them first in the XC Enthusiasts Facebook page.

 

[realemil]

I'm surprised that these trains are still here, and XC has not ordered longer and better capacity trains. As long as the refurb makes them less grotty, then it's better then the millions spent on IETs

 

[Wolfie]

I'm surprised that these trains are still here, and XC has not ordered longer and better capacity trains. As long as the refurb makes them less grotty, then it's better then the millions spent on IETs

The chances of DfT/HMT paying for longer, better capacity trains when they wouldn't even fund all of the Avanti Voyagers going to XC range from zero to......

 

[Cowley]

Ok, let’s keep things warm and friendly from here please everyone.

Thanks.

 

[m79900]

End of an era when you think about it. Silver XC Voyagers have been a think for near on a quarter of a century.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

When will she be back out in her new guise?

 

[Pete_uk]

Bubblegum livery.

At least it's bright!

 

[Liam L]

When will she be back out in her new guise?

Early next year apparently

 

[The_Train]

Early next year apparently

Looking forward to it. Looks great in the new colours and I am sure the internal refurb will be fantastic to keep these amazing units in top notch condition and very much fit for purpose

 

[Parallel]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

Thanks for sharing - I think the teal on grey looks good, not quite sure of the teal on red yet.

 

[devonexpress]

Ill just leave this here.

I assume this is 220033. Despite the full repaint and strip down.. they still managed to keep some Virgin red over the gangway door!

Images show a 220 Voyager undergoing a repaint into the new CrossCountry livery at Derby Litchurch Lane

Can't stand the colour of the doors, why couldn't they make it match the new Turbostar livery which is actually quite nice. XC never seem to like having a consistent brand do they.

 

[takno]

Can't stand the colour of the doors, why couldn't they make it match the new Turbostar livery which is actually quite nice. XC never seem to like having a consistent brand do they.

I wouldn't necessarily assume that's the final colour for the doors - it could just be a reasonable base colour that's going to get vinyled.