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CrossCountry Turbostar 'Refresh' and Wifi

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XCTurbostar

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Hi all,

This has been going on behind the scenes and hasn't really been discussed so here we go.

Improvements include;
Engine and undercarriage overhaul (C6)
New Cab door seals
New Carpets
New seat covers
WiFi (All units now have WiFi installed)
General Clean-up
Removal of 'Search Engine' branding and returns to original XC branding

Currently Refurbished
170101 (28-10-2014)
Involved in Collision with Car 20/07/2015
Back in service with new cab 25/08/2015
170112 (02-12-2014)
170113 (05-01-2015)
170103 (09-02-2015)
170102 (17-03-2015)
170114 (08-04-2015)
170115 (08-05-2015)
170116 (09-06-2015)
170104 (07-07-2015)
170117 (29-07-2015)
170105 (24-08-2015)
170518 (28-09-2015)
170106 (15-10-2015)
170519 (19-11-2015)
170523 (14-12-2015)
170107 (18-01-2016)
170108 (08-02-2016)
170521 (10-03-2016)
170522 (21-04-2016)
170109 (13-06-2016)
170110 (23-06-2016)

Thanks,
Ross
 
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XCTurbostar

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Is the internal colour scheme remaining the same

Thanks
The carpet colour has changed but the main layout/colour scheme has stayed the same.

Table updated to include other WiFi enabled unit, 170518.

Thanks,
Ross
 

bb21

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Is the WiFi free for Standard pax?
 

CallySleeper

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Removal of 'Search Engine' branding and returns to original XC branding

Hoo************ray. Horrendous example of advertising and branding.

Is the WiFi free for Standard pax?

We can wish but wouldn't have thought so, would have thought it would be an extension of the Voyagers contract XC have with three or whatever they're called these days.
 

HSTfan!!!

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Was quite surprised my phone picked up wifi on a turbo a week or two ago. Same sort of system as on voyagers as far as I could tell.
 

hassaanhc

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Was quite surprised my phone picked up wifi on a turbo a week or two ago. Same sort of system as on voyagers as far as I could tell.
Have seen at least one FGW Turbo fitted with Wi Fi, using a dome-shaped transmitter on the ceiling, one that is also used by SWT.
 

gnolife

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Is the WiFi free for Standard pax?

Probably not. However, I imagine it would be very difficult to stop standard class ticket holders who are travelling in coach A being able to access it, given that first class is in this coach
 

XCTurbostar

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Probably not. However, I imagine it would be very difficult to stop standard class ticket holders who are travelling in coach A being able to access it, given that first class is in this coach

Was on 170103 this morning sat in the seat next to the aisle closest to the first class door. Got the first class signal and was actually really reliable!

First post has been updated to include 170115 which has now returned from Crewe refurbished but does not have WiFi.

Thanks,
Ross
 

XCTurbostar

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CrossCountry said:
Not sure if that (170101) has been fitted with it yet. Since last Monday we have been fitting the remaining 27 units not done with WiFi at the rate of 3-4 units a week. We hope all will be complete within 9 weeks of that date.

Was on 170101 this afternoon which had posters informing people about the WiFi - but with no wifi available!

Thanks,
Ross
 

trentside

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Was on 170101 this afternoon which had posters informing people about the WiFi - but with no wifi available!

I also couldn't pick up the Wi-Fi on 170101 the other day.

I also traveled on two un-refreshed units earlier in the day and couldn't perceive any noticeable difference between them and 170101. I think a few months in service has rendered their efforts moot.
 

1e10

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Is the WiFi free for Standard pax?

I doubt it, Voyagers are charging for Wi-Fi even with their metallic windows!

However there is a technical flaw with the Wi-Fi on CrossCountry's Voyagers that allows anybody with the right technical knowledge to access the internet without paying.
 

Minilad

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It's hard to know which ones have been refurbished and which ones haven't. In one cab on one of the refurbished units some wag has stuck a sticker saying CrapRefurbs.Com
 

XCTurbostar

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First post updated to include 170101, which has now had WiFi added.

Thanks,
Ross
 

Kristofferson

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However there is a technical flaw with the Wi-Fi on CrossCountry's Voyagers that allows anybody with the right technical knowledge to access the internet without paying.
Stand in a FC vestibule, login, return to Standard. Same on any wifi train as far as I know, certainly on VTWC and VTEC. Not rocket science ;)
 

Jonfun

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That won't work on an XC Voyager. Cant speak for Virgin though.

I suspect I know the flaw but I shan't publicise it as it's provided for a purpose and if it gets misused, it'll just get turned off.
 

XCTurbostar

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First Post has been updated to include Un-refurbished 170117, which has now had WiFi installed but only in Standard Class. First Class does not have free access.

Thanks,
Ross
 

XCTurbostar

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Has 170116 been done now then, as it looks to have been repainted (does not have the 'search again' advert on the side). https://www.flickr.com/photos/sboothby/18881973752/in/dateposted-friend/

It has been refurbished yes. It looks way too clean to be an unrefurbished one.

It's been a while since I've updated this thread so here's an update;

Refurbished XC 170s to date:
170101 (28-10-2014)
Involved in Collision with Car 20/07/2015
Back in service with new cab 25/08/2015
170112 (02-12-2014)
170113 (05-01-2015)
170103 (09-02-2015)
170102 (17-03-2015)
170114 (08-04-2015)
170115 (08-05-2015)
170116 (09-06-2015)
170104 (07-07-2015)
170117 (29-07-2015)
170105 (24-08-2015)

170111 is the final 2 coach 170/1 to be refurbished
No 170/3s Refurbished
No 170/5s Refurbished
No 170/6s Refurbished

WiFi installed;
It is assumed that all XC Class 170s have WiFi included although I am unable to confirm this because I only travel on two a day!
170101
170102
170103
170105
170106
170108
170109
170110
170111 (Showing as 170519?) Now Fixed 20/07/2015
170114
170115
170116
170117
170397
170518
170520
170521
170636
170637
170638
170639

WiFi in First Class is the same as the standard Class although posters stating that the First Class ticket holder must ask the guard on the train for a code to access 4 hours worth of free WiFi have begun to appear in the First Class area of the coach.

Thanks,
Ross
 

Qwerty133

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Class is the same as the standard Class although posters stating that the First Class ticket holder must ask the guard on the train for a code to access 4 hours worth of free WiFi have begun to appear in the First Class area of the coach.

Thanks,
Ross

This is absolutely pathetic.
Do XC really value stopping standard class ticket holders getting free WiFi more than getting ticket revenue from unstaffed stations, and many Turbostars travel in multiple with 1 guard so is free WiFi only available to those in the rear unit.
 

XCTurbostar

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This is absolutely pathetic.
Do XC really value stopping standard class ticket holders getting free WiFi more than getting ticket revenue from unstaffed stations, and many Turbostars travel in multiple with 1 guard so is free WiFi only available to those in the rear unit.

A valid point! I agree with you it is not acceptable. This could potentially mean that if the guard doesn't come down your Cardiff Central to Nottingham train that you will have no choice but to just sit there with no WiFi at all.. Or Pay.

I'll try and get a picture of the poster for you also :)

Thanks,
Ross
 

The47Wanderer

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Travelled on a XC Turbostar today (first time on a 170 since '03!). Must say, the seats are considerably more comfy than the voyager seats. Surprised, however, the refurbs didn't include an easier way to identify seats/reservations!
 

Wolfie

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This is absolutely pathetic.
Do XC really value stopping standard class ticket holders getting free WiFi more than getting ticket revenue from unstaffed stations, and many Turbostars travel in multiple with 1 guard so is free WiFi only available to those in the rear unit.

You have to love the inconsistencies within Arriva. Chiltern has some of the best free wifi going and competitive fares. Cross Country has rip off fares and this sort of penny-pinching.

Absolutely pathetic and the sooner they lose the Cross Country franchise the better!
 
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