CrossCountry XC Class 170 refurbishment

[MCR247]

I am surprised that they didn’t go for info screens like what a lot of other TOCs have now (TPE, LNWR, Southern to name a few)

Personally I think sometimes those screens are more of a gimmick than anything else. The main advantage seems to be to the TOC who have a new way to bombard you with extra visual ads.

 

[AJDesiro]

I am surprised that they didn’t go for info screens like what a lot of other TOCs have now (TPE, LNWR, Southern to name a few)

I'd imagine it's down to the fact that they have the new overhead PIS screens. Quite a lot of new fleets tend to only have one or the other, the Civity units only have the large screens, whilst the Aventra's only have the overhead ones - except for the 701/710.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Personally I think sometimes those screens are more of a gimmick than anything else. The main advantage seems to be to the TOC who have a new way to bombard you with extra visual ads.

Connectional information is a good use-case for them. I've not seen much commercial advertising on them.

 

[AJDesiro]

Personally I think sometimes those screens are more of a gimmick than anything else. The main advantage seems to be to the TOC who have a new way to bombard you with extra visual ads.

The ones on the 350s are still glitchy, 6 years after the first unit received them. Half the time they freeze or just aren't working at all. The older ANNAX system meanwhile is practically bombproof.

 

[MCR247]

Connectional information is a good use-case for them. I've not seen much commercial advertising on them.

When done properly, but I personally would argue that it’d be useful to start showing this info before the train is already pulling into the platform (TfW the last time I was on them). And I’m not talking about commercial ads, I’m talking about TOC ads. Penalty fares, where to get the best fares, treat staff with respect, were on social media! Etc.

For me, the main use of the PIS should be to inform passengers of the destination and calling points, and not spending most of the time blank and only displaying this info once or twice between each stop at random times (22x looking at you!)

 

[Bikeman78]

I am surprised that they didn’t go for info screens like what a lot of other TOCs have now (TPE, LNWR, Southern to name a few)

I'm quite relieved that they haven't. I always try to sit away from those screens. If I'm trying to read, it's quite distracting having a bright display flicking from one image to the next every few seconds.

 

[Russel]

Even as a famous fan of the Virgin brand I have to admit they’ve been completely revolutionised now, a really worthy UK flagship.

Internally, yes, externally, they are a disgrace.

 

[43096]

Connectional information is a good use-case for them.

It is. Go to Switzerland to see it done properly! The Zürich S-Bahn had it over 10 years ago with real time information (all on time, obviously) for trains and buses, even the charter train I was catching was listed.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

In the former first class section, the seats are a definite upgrade, with good back support and large seatback tables. My only criticism is that the edges of the seat base are quite raised and press into your thighs somewhat.

Has there been an improvement in legroom?

 

[AJDesiro]

Has there been an improvement in legroom?

Yes, I’ve been on one, and the seats themselves are much thinner than the old Lazzerini ones, so legroom is far better (my knees don’t touch the back of the seat in front anymore!).

Photo shows a view of 170101’s interior, with a footwell visible in the bottom right corner.
View attachment 1744756180780.jpeg

 

[Jim the Jim]

An unusual feature is individually numbered windows - a sticker above each (on the inside) reading W01, W02 etc.

 

[Kite159]

An unusual feature is individually numbered windows - a sticker above each (on the inside) reading W01, W02 etc.

Not that unusual, other rolling stock have similar individually labelled windows. Helps maintenance when it comes to logging faults as it can be 'small crack on W04 on coach 'XY101'.

 

[GoneSouth]

Not that unusual, other rolling stock have similar individually labelled windows. Helps maintenance when it comes to logging faults as it can be 'small crack on W04 on coach 'XY101'.

Oh, so that’s explains why XC haven’t bothered replacing broken windows filled with mould for a decade, they didn’t know what number to look for

 

[WesternLancer]

I see BBC East Midlands report the first refurbished EMR 170 is out and about in service.

I wonder how this compares with the XC sets.

Is there a separate thread for them?

 

[Jacob Porrett]

I see BBC East Midlands report the first refurbished EMR 170 is out and about in service.

I wonder how this compares with the XC sets.

Is there a separate thread for them?

Yep.

I see BBC East Midlands report the first refurbished EMR 170 is out and about in service.

I wonder how this compares with the XC sets.

Is there a separate thread for them?

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/emr-regional-and-connect-refurbishments.264736/page-11 Here is said thread if your interested.

 

[WesternLancer]

Yep.


https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/emr-regional-and-connect-refurbishments.264736/page-11 Here is said thread if your interested.

Many thanks. I’ve just selected to watch that and nice to see the images posted.

 

[E B]

Could be. You'll have to keep an eye out for paths out of Crewe depot on RTT.

Ok. Thanks

This is proof the 170’s need refurbishment. I am sat on 170397 right now in the declassified 1st class section and one of the seat cushions must have broken, so they had to replace it with one from the main standard class cabin. Shows how much the unrefurbished units are showing their age.

 

[WesternLancer]

I was on 2 unrefurbished xc 170s yesterday and noted that both had the former 1st class compartment doors locked out of use open. So assuming this is more general now. Of course the most minor of matters.

Generally they are tatty. That stock for an ‘inter city’ type TOC could be allowed to get as bad as they have got is poor.

 

[GoneSouth]

I was on 2 unrefurbished xc 170s yesterday and noted that both had the former 1st class compartment doors locked out of use open. So assuming this is more general now. Of course the most minor of matters.

Generally they are tatty. That stock for an ‘inter city’ type TOC could be allowed to get as bad as they have got is poor.

It says everything you need to know about the people in charge of running XC. Before anybody chirps in with that’s DfT, they haven’t been running it since 2007, Arriva have unfortunately.

 

[WesternLancer]

It says everything you need to know about the people in charge of running XC. Before anybody chirps in with that’s DfT, they haven’t been running it since 2007, Arriva have unfortunately.

Fair point.

Have they ceased refreshments on 170 operated xc services too? I recall their being trolleys on a Saturday service I was on a year or so ago. That was Brum to Stansted route.

 

[tfw756rider]

Fair point.

Have they ceased refreshments on 170 operated xc services too? I recall their being trolleys on a Saturday service I was on a year or so ago. That was Brum to Stansted route.

There was a trolley on 170639 on 1D55 0909 Birmingham New Street to Nottingham on the 11/3/25.

 

[Brubulus]

Fair point.

Have they ceased refreshments on 170 operated xc services too? I recall their being trolleys on a Saturday service I was on a year or so ago. That was Brum to Stansted route.

Theres definitely still trolleys on Brum-Stansted saw one a few weeks ago.

 

[danchester]

They're available on a selection of 170 services: https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media-vnext/4mbcwf4o/turbostar-catering-may-2025.pdf

 

[E B]

Fair point.

Have they ceased refreshments on 170 operated xc services too? I recall their being trolleys on a Saturday service I was on a year or so ago. That was Brum to Stansted route.

I saw a trolley come off the 1N59 1427 Stansted - Birmingham, on Friday 25th April 2025.

 

[WesternLancer]

I saw a trolley come off the 1N59 1427 Stansted - Birmingham, on Friday 25th April 2025.

That’s a positive.