CrossCountry Turbostar 'Refresh' and Wifi

[FordFocus]

I'd say franchising has a bit to do with it.

Chiltern got a long franchise because of the amount of money the private sector is ploughing into it, so the DfT has left it to virtually to it's own devices provided it sticks to the usual franchise service requirements. Can refurbish fleets to a decent standard as it can recoup it's investment.

CrossCountry got let on a cheap bid, that outbid Virgin and was mainly based on cost savings and bums on seats. Loss of Brighton, no real investment in the Voyager fleet, shop been removed, no time for investment returns due to the franchise length compared to Chiltern with MK3s, Evergreen and Oxford Projects.

Arriva Trains Wales has a lot of support from the Welsh Assembly.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Just as a side note. I travelled on 170102 (A Refurbished 170) and was told by the Guard that 55102 (Centre coach) has a "Serious Engine Fault" light on in the coach cabinet.

Something tells me the refurbishment which took place in March this year wasn't very good!

Thanks,
Ross

 

[43074]

Just as a side note. I travelled on 170102 (A Refurbished 170) and was told by the Guard that 55102 (Centre coach) has a "Serious Engine Fault" light on in the coach cabinet.

Something tells me the refurbishment which took place in March this year wasn't very good!

Thanks,
Ross

It doesn't surprise me but that would be an issue over maintenance surely, you can refurbish anything but if the maintenance isn't up to standard the train will still develop faults.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It's perhaps worth noting that unlike CrossCountry, Chiltern Railways was not part of Arriva when the franchise was awarded...

 

[222007]

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

The stickers in first class makes it clear a free voucher can be requested from the conductor WHERE AVAILABLE. Its not perfect i agree but on a 170 you cant seperate first and standard class being in the same coach. People have to remember it wasnt long ago that NO wifi was available at all so the fact it is now there should be a bonus

 

[XCTurbostar]

170518 is now the first CrossCountry 170/5 to be in service after the refurbishment.

170111 is the final two coach 170111 yet to be refurbished and is still in regular traffic.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[XCTurbostar]

First post updated to include information regarding 170399.

170398 is displayed as 170399 on the CrossCountry WiFi, this is incorrect as 170399 was renumbered 170309 and then to 168329. 168329 is with Chiltern Railways.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[sd0733]

170106 was sat at crewe last night freshly painted and overhauled. Another ws just going into the shed this morning but didnt catch the number.

 

[XCTurbostar]

170106 was sat at crewe last night freshly painted and overhauled. Another ws just going into the shed this morning but didnt catch the number.

Thanks for the information, I'll keep a look out for 170106, I'd imagine 170107 was the next one. They tend to try and do them in order.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[Philip Elliott]

170107, 170519 & 170523 all done.

 

[MatthewRead]

How different is the interior because I don't see any difference

 

[222007]

Duplicate post apologies

 

[TheBigD]

How different is the interior because I don't see any difference

Catering lockers opposite the small toilet removed and replaced with 2 seats and a luggage rack...

 

[tsr]

It doesn't surprise me but that would be an issue over maintenance surely, you can refurbish anything but if the maintenance isn't up to standard the train will still develop faults.

Yep, that should not be anything to do with an interior refurbishment, really. An engine fault light can come on for a million and one reasons (or lack thereof!), but it won't be because of a couple of new seats being installed or not. Other types of "local fault" may be more to do with the electrical systems which could be related to the interior.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Refurbished 170108 is out and about now.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[XCTurbostar]

170521, 170522, 170109 & 170110 have all been completed. This leaves just one 170/1 (170111), one 170/5 (170520) and all the 170/6s & 170/3s yet to be refurbished.
Units recently refurbished also have a sticker on the side saying when the C6 was completed.
Thanks,
Ross

 

[Philip Elliott]

170520 & 170111 both done so all 2-cars and all ex-MML sets done.

170112 needs some new logo vinyls though...

 

[387star]

170520 & 170111 both done so all 2-cars and all ex-MML sets done.

170112 needs some new logo vinyls though...

What does this work involve?

Is any work set for the voyagers as would have thought they need it more...mis a c6 due?

 

[TH172341]

What does this work involve?

Is any work set for the voyagers as would have thought they need it more...mis a c6 due?

First page gives a good summary of what's been done to the 170s:

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


Voyagers I believe still have no scheduled interior work due. They had the seat covers done up (albeit in Virgin colours) and a general clean up back around 2012/3 I believe, and that's about it. When you compare what TPE will be like with its Hitachis and CAFs in a couple of years, and the absence of plans for XC, something needs doing. But of course capacity is the real issue, but that's another story...

 

[XCTurbostar]

The first of the refurbished 170/6s is now out and about, 170636.
Thanks,
Ross