XC Voyager Refurbishment

[staleydm01]

As long as it’s not too busy it’s a pleasant run and the ride is absolutely fine in my opinion. You'll hopefully see the catering trolley too.

That can be hit and miss, CrossCountry on Facebook are kinda trying to defy decisions, like how you can get on at Cheltenham and not be offered a drink until after Derby, if you bring your own they’d come down in 5 minutes, nobody at the company knows what runs on what, spent more time in the journey blaming a 4 carriage when they were told it would be an 8, saying if you pay huge fares in first class you are guaranteed a seat but not refreshments, if I’ve given them £63.10 of this screenwriters earnings I’d not expect nothing, it’s like other companies have the ticket seller who runs the trolley, my experience with them was 2 drinks and food in the under a hour journey and even offered things 15 minutes before departure

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jul 2026 ==

I'm curious, what's it like riding on these trains between Birmingham and Bristol Parkway the Voyagers? Planning a trip to Cardiff that way then on to GWR for the last part.

GWR will be the best, CC has a bit of a issue and catering, formations might vary far too much, there’s no consistency

 

[cambsy]

Had my first decent runs on refurbished sets, Friday 10th July, Tiverton-Plymouth-derby, and found the refurbished sets Seats to be comfortable, and an improvement on un refurbished ones. My main gripe was the Aircon not being effective through out unit was on, only worked in one coach at the back, so was bit uncomfortable. Found the catering to be fine, and the trolley came through fairly frequently. Overall I like the refurbished units, and they are a reasonable up grade, and are nice inside and the livery I quite like, and will choose one definitely over un refurbished unit.

 

[50010]

I'm curious, what's it like riding on these trains between Birmingham and Bristol Parkway the Voyagers? Planning a trip to Cardiff that way then on to GWR for the last part.

I do this journey regularly, usually as part of BPW-EDI or return, sometimes BPW-BNS before taking a service down to Winchester/Reading/Southampton (well aware there are quicker ways than going north first ). I use seat frog and enjoy the FC offering on CC. BNS-BPW is a cheap upgrade usually, albeit not the value that BPW-EDI has (my best for that was £10 iirc, for god knows how many drinks and snacks plus the space).

 

[fgwrich]

220019 is the latest unit to venture into Litchurch Lane for refurbishment.

On a side note, we are somewhat getting close to the half way point for the 220 fleet now.

 

[dk1]

220019 is the latest unit to venture into Litchurch Lane for refurbishment.

On a side note, we are somewhat getting close to the half way point for the 220 fleet now.

Seemed plentiful when I was in Devon a couple of weeks ago although not when I wanted to catch one

 

[CR165022]

Which unit left Derby? I thought 220004 would be the next one out as that one was next in line, but Railcam is reporting it being 220002, which only went less than a month ago.

 

[Apedlar12]

Which unit left Derby? I thought 220004 would be the next one out as that one was next in line, but Railcam is reporting it being 220002, which only went less than a month ago.

I believe 220013 has only just re-entered service after refurbishment, so possibly actually that one?

 

[CR165022]

I believe 220013 has only just re-entered service after refurbishment, so possibly actually that one?

That one came back on the 9th, 004 was the one that went in after 013

 

[occone]

First time on a refurbished unit, stood, toilet out of use, and no AC in the vestibules still. Notably they haven't re-detailed some of the push button signs (nit pick), and there's some dented panels that evidently didn't get seen to.

Not bad but the overflowing bins and standing room only spoke louder to me than the refurb.

 

[150249]

Which unit left Derby? I thought 220004 would be the next one out as that one was next in line, but Railcam is reporting it being 220002, which only went less than a month ago.

220004 was showing as in service on Tuesday on Realtime Trains

 

[sabanda]

220004 was showing as in service on Tuesday on Realtime Trains

Is it only 220019 that's in for refurb currently, then, or have two managed to slip past us unnoticed?

 

[CR165022]

Is it only 220019 that's in for refurb currently, then, or have two managed to slip past us unnoticed?

Still three there, the other two are 220003 & 029

 

[Russel]

Just something that has occurred to me, it's a shame 220017 wasn't the first unit to be refurbished, it would have been quite fitting as it was the first unit put into XC livery for the launch back in 2007.

 

[sprinterguy]

How long will it be before 5 car XC Voyagers start going to get refurbished, so from Plymouth once gets more refurbished sets, as most single sets are 5 cars, from what seen of allocations on RTT.

Based on the current (fairly rapid) rate of progress with the 4 car sets, about next February or March for the first of the 5 car sets I reckon, as a purely finger in the wind estimate.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Personally (I usually travel in First Class) I think the refurbished Voyager First Class seats aren't as comfortable as the ex Avanti First Class seats, but better than the original Cross Country First Class seats.

 

[150249]

I can confirm that 220004 is very much still grey.

 

[tumbles]

220006 seems to have run into trouble just after leaving BTM on the 1M21 to Manchester Pic. No reason given other than to get then 07:42 to Edinburgh for everyone stuck at Bristol Parkway..

Now cancelled due to fault with train according to announcer. RTT says train crew issue so who knows

 

[Mugby]

I missed my chance to sample a refurbished set today (Saturday) I was at Derby intending to get the 1231 Plymouth service as far as Birmingham.
It was 2 x 4-car sets the leading set unrefurbished, the rear set refurbished. However, the front set was locked out of use which meant the rear set was
very overcrowded. I got the 1238 Cardiff service instead.

Isn't it usual practice to lock the rear set OOU on a doubled up train if there aren't enough crew available?

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Depends on wether coaches A-F are in the front set or rear.

 

[duffield]

Sampled the refurb 1st seats from Derby to Bristol a couple of days ago. They are very disappointing compared to the old seats, far too hard. Having said that, I didn't get any back problems by the end of my journey so I guess the ergonomics are OK.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Sampled the refurb 1st seats from Derby to Bristol a couple of days ago. They are very disappointing compared to the old seats, far too hard. Having said that, I didn't get any back problems by the end of my journey so I guess the ergonomics are OK.

I strongly agree with you.

In terms of 220/221 First Class seats, I personally think in terms of comfort:

1) ex Avanti leather(?) blue seats.
2) Original Cross Country seats (but unsurprisingly/understandably most are rather worn and tatty.)
3) Recently refurbished Cross Country Voyager seats.

 

[E B]

Not sure if this is the right thread for this, but today I saw 220005 in a stripped back state at Central Rivers (only the frame of the train)

 

[150249]

At the risk of straying off topic, does anyone know where 220027 has gone? Apparently it hasn't been out since May.

 

[liamf656]

At the risk of straying off topic, does anyone know where 220027 has gone? Apparently it hasn't been out since May.

That is the one that's undergoing repairs after sustaining fire damage

 

[tumbles]

I'm curious, what's it like riding on these trains between Birmingham and Bristol Parkway the Voyagers? Planning a trip to Cardiff that way then on to GWR for the last part.

I do it 1-2 times a week Bristol Parkway - Birmingham and back again. They’re ok - it depends time of day and if you’re lucky enough to get two x 4 cars which seems to be more the norm going Birmingham > Parkway then it’s alright as just aim for the back 2 cars which are unreserved and most of time almost empty. 4 cars on its own is usually much less fun. Refurb trains don’t really seem any different in terms of air con or toilet smell.. seats harder. Seem to get on a refurb one more often than not lately.

 

[150249]

That is the one that's undergoing repairs after sustaining fire damage

Okay thanks, when did that happen?

 

[liamf656]

Okay thanks, when did that happen?

21st May on 1S53 at Derby:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G01082/2026-05-21/detailed

 

[cambsy]

It looks like there are 10 Refurbished XC Voyagers operating, as of today(Thurs 6th Aug}. I looked on Real time Trains, for XC Voyager services operating through Birmingham, and this was list came up with:

220013,
220002,
220021,
220008,
220033,
220006,
220025,
220016,
220007,
220023,

Looks like reasonable progress being made with the refurbishment so far, and theres now reasonable chance of having a refurbished Voyager on ones services.

 

[Defiance149]

From RTT, 220003 was released from Litchurch Lane this morning and 220017 was admitted.

 

[150249]

Is it possible they might skip the queue for some units? My train today is booked as 221141 which reminded me of the state I saw it in back on the 7th August.

(Image shows unit 221141 with very patchy paintwork on one of the driving motors. This is the case along each of the 4 coaches.)