XC Voyager Refurbishment

[The Ham]

I've seen they're replacing their outside displays with new ones but it always amuses me to see how run down they let things get.

Photo is from today

But as said above, noone with any influence travels via XC... Trees falling in forests and all that

There's been many good reasons as to why parliament should be held in other locations (for example to refurbish the palaces at Westminster, although some have suggested that it should be a regular thing), there's an argument that the use of public transport around the country could improve if this were to happen.

As even if the ministers only used their ministerial cars or travel in first class, there's a good chance at least some of their aids would need to use public transport/travel in standard class and so there would be some influence.

Imagine how much more of a priority a metro system for (say) Leeds it would be if Parliament was housed there for 2 months of the year every couple of years, or how much more of a priority capacity on XC was needed if the same were the situation for places like Derby and Sheffield (whilst they have a mainline from London there would be a reasonable number of MP's likely to use XC services).

 

[Trainman40083]

There's been many good reasons as to why parliament should be held in other locations (for example to refurbish the palaces at Westminster, although some have suggested that it should be a regular thing), there's an argument that the use of public transport around the country could improve if this were to happen.

As even if the ministers only used their ministerial cars or travel in first class, there's a good chance at least some of their aids would need to use public transport/travel in standard class and so there would be some influence.

Imagine how much more of a priority a metro system for (say) Leeds it would be if Parliament was housed there for 2 months of the year every couple of years, or how much more of a priority capacity on XC was needed if the same were the situation for places like Derby and Sheffield (whilst they have a mainline from London there would be a reasonable number of MP's likely to use XC services).

That sounds like the EU up sticking from Brussels to Strasbourg ever few weeks, along with hundreds of staff.

 

[Killingworth]

That sounds like the EU up sticking from Brussels to Strasbourg ever few weeks, along with hundreds of staff.

A very good road was built between them. A horrendously expensive and inefficient politically motivated way to govern. Much as I may dislike our London centric government the expense of a migratory parliament would far outweigh the benefits. However it would be good if more representatives did experience first hand some of the joys of XC trains.

 

[Trainman40083]

A very good road was built between them. A horrendously expensive and inefficient politically motivated way to govern. Much as I may dislike our London centric government the expense of a migratory parliament would far outweigh the benefits. However it would be good if more representatives did experience first hand some of the joys of XC trains.

It certainly would. Maybe most go by car.

 

[SuperS16v]

So when can we expect to see the first refurbished voyager?

A long time, the first one goes in October 2025

 

[GoneSouth]

A long time, the first one goes in October 2025

Isn’t that about a year later than first announced?

 

[St. Paddy]

Blimey, nearly 1000 posts and the first one doesn’t even go in for another 6 months. Perhaps the thread should be closed until one goes in

 

[Jamesrob637]

A long time, the first one goes in October 2025

And the last? 2027/2028?

 

[Discuss223]

Mod Note: Feel free to split in to a separate thread if neccessary.

I see that they have now applied stickers to the rear/leading vestibules that say "Staff Only - access required at all times". It's not just for the galley, it's for the whole vestibule.

I could understand on 170s which have no galleys and have trolleys being loaded and off-loaded at the start and end of the journey.

However, Voyagers have galleys for both accommodation classes of catering and the trolleys remain on board unless there is something out of the ordinary happening.

It seems like a very anti-customer thing to have on the walls of what was part of passenger accommodation.

The litter bins are also in this area, so I assume out of bounds for customers now too.

It seems rather short sighted of whoever planned the refurbishment project to do this.

 

[GoneSouth]

Mod Note: Feel free to split in to a separate thread if neccessary.

I see that they have now applied stickers to the rear/leading vestibules that say "Staff Only - access required at all times". It's not just for the galley, it's for the whole vestibule.

I could understand on 170s which have no galleys and have trolleys being loaded and off-loaded at the start and end of the journey.

However, Voyagers have galleys for both accommodation classes of catering and the trolleys remain on board unless there is something out of the ordinary happening.

It seems like a very anti-customer thing to have on the walls of what was part of passenger accommodation.

The litter bins are also in this area, so I assume out of bounds for customers now too.

It seems rather short sighted of whoever planned the refurbishment project to do this.

Where did you see this? I was on one over the weekend and nobody had an issue with me Using the litter bin at the end of coach F.

Nice one XC if this is true, you just removed 25% of the entry/exit points in a 4 or 8 car. That’s such a XC thing to do!

 

[Discuss223]

Where did you see this? I was on one over the weekend and nobody had an issue with me Using the litter bin at the end of coach F.

Nice one XC if this is true, you just removed 25% of the entry/exit points in a 4 or 8 car. That’s such a XC thing to do!

This was on unit 220015. This unit also has new white LED external displays.

 

[The_Train]

Mod Note: Feel free to split in to a separate thread if neccessary.

I see that they have now applied stickers to the rear/leading vestibules that say "Staff Only - access required at all times". It's not just for the galley, it's for the whole vestibule.

I could understand on 170s which have no galleys and have trolleys being loaded and off-loaded at the start and end of the journey.

However, Voyagers have galleys for both accommodation classes of catering and the trolleys remain on board unless there is something out of the ordinary happening.

It seems like a very anti-customer thing to have on the walls of what was part of passenger accommodation.

The litter bins are also in this area, so I assume out of bounds for customers now too.

It seems rather short sighted of whoever planned the refurbishment project to do this.

Yes, I used 221124 last week between Derby and Sheffield. I walked the length of the train in the vain hope of finding an actual seat and when I got to the front vestibule, I noticed the same signage. So now they are even restricting the amount of vestibules for their passengers to wedge into

 

[800Travel]

Mod Note: Feel free to split in to a separate thread if neccessary.

I see that they have now applied stickers to the rear/leading vestibules that say "Staff Only - access required at all times". It's not just for the galley, it's for the whole vestibule.

I could understand on 170s which have no galleys and have trolleys being loaded and off-loaded at the start and end of the journey.

However, Voyagers have galleys for both accommodation classes of catering and the trolleys remain on board unless there is something out of the ordinary happening.

It seems like a very anti-customer thing to have on the walls of what was part of passenger accommodation.

The litter bins are also in this area, so I assume out of bounds for customers now too.

It seems rather short sighted of whoever planned the refurbishment project to do this.

Apparently it's to keep the area clear for staff to safely carry out operational procedures like dispatching. I cannot provide a source because I can't remember when I read this and can't trawl through XCs Twitter, but it will be there somewhere.

 

[Mark J]

So will the units transferred to XC from Avanti also be refurbished.

The former Avanti units are currently the best on XC, and look rather clean and smart in comparison to the XC stock.

 

[Bletchleyite]

So will the units transferred to XC from Avanti also be refurbished.

Yes. If nothing else it would be inconvenient having a set of units with a different layout long term for the purposes of diagramming and reservations.

The former Avanti units are currently the best on XC, and look rather clean and smart in comparison to the XC stock.

Avanti certainly looked after them better!

 

[Mark J]

Yes. If nothing else it would be inconvenient having a set of units with a different layout long term for the purposes of diagramming and reservations.



Avanti certainly looked after them better!

Owned by Arriva, who are well known for spending as little as possible on improvements to their fleet of trains and buses.

 

[tfw756rider]

Owned by Arriva, who are well known for spending as little as possible on improvements to their fleet of trains and buses.

They're not owned by Arriva; they're leased from Beacon Rail.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

They're not owned by Arriva; they're leased from Beacon Rail.

Whether he meant owned or operated, I think it’s fairly clear what point he was trying to make. Arriva aren’t famed in the best light.

 

[TheSmiths82]

Does anybody know if the leg room situation will be improved? I had the displeasure of using XC to from Manc to Birmingham then onto Bristol the next day. The legroom was awful and I was very glad to get off the trains after 1.5 hours. In comparison the refurbished Pendolino was so much nicer to travel on. I used to sometimes travel to Devon from Manchester on XC, there is no way my knees could take such a journey anymore.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Does anybody know if the leg room situation will be improved? I had the displeasure of using XC to from Manc to Birmingham then onto Bristol the next day. The legroom was awful and I was very glad to get off the trains after 1.5 hours. In comparison the refurbished Pendolino was so much nicer to travel on. I used to sometimes travel to Devon from Manchester on XC, there is no way my knees could take such a journey anymore.

Not substantially due to the very poor choice of a thick backed seat. I would expect it to be about the same.

I avoid XC now and will continue to do so - the poor legroom is one reason, though TBH I struggle to find anything at all good about CrossCountry as a TOC.

 

[TheSmiths82]

Not substantially due to the very poor choice of a thick backed seat. I would expect it to be about the same.

I avoid XC now and will continue to do so - the poor legroom is one reason, though TBH I struggle to find anything at all good about CrossCountry as a TOC.

It is so hard to avoid though, especially if I wanted to go down to the south west, although I suppose I could try my luck on a TFW and hope for a MK4 Cardiff service. The other option is of course changing at London but that can get expensive. It is a shame the seats are not being replaced like they did with the Pendolinos. The only good thing I will say about my recent XC experience is both trains arrived on time.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It is so hard to avoid though, especially if I wanted to go down to the south west, although I suppose I could try my luck on a TFW and hope for a MK4 Cardiff service. The other option is of course changing at London but that can get expensive. It is a shame the seats are not being replaced like they did with the Pendolinos. The only good thing I will say about my recent XC experience is both trains arrived on time.

The seats are being replaced but with the FISA LEAN which is quite thick-backed, about the same as the current seats, so there will be very little if any gain in legroom.

 

[43096]

The seats are being replaced but with the FISA LEAN which is quite thick-backed, about the same as the current seats, so there will be very little if any gain in legroom.

Normal people like seats with a thicker back - it makes them more comfortable.

 

[Anonymous10]

It is so hard to avoid though, especially if I wanted to go down to the south west, although I suppose I could try my luck on a TFW and hope for a MK4 Cardiff service. The other option is of course changing at London but that can get expensive. It is a shame the seats are not being replaced like they did with the Pendolinos. The only good thing I will say about my recent XC experience is both trains arrived on time.

If you get a 5 car 197 that can be a pleasant journey especially if there is the standard plus (or what was meant to be) units (113-126) as they have nicer seats in one part for the same price.

 

[E B]

The seats are being replaced but with the FISA LEAN which is quite thick-backed, about the same as the current seats, so there will be very little if any gain in legroom.

So the voyagers and turbostars are going to have the same seats?

 

[Bletchleyite]

So the voyagers and turbostars are going to have the same seats?

Yes (though I think the Turbostar ones have a different shaped cushion).

(Edited: the mockups look to have the same shape cushion, just a different colour)

 

[E B]

So will the units transferred to XC from Avanti also be refurbished.

The former Avanti units are currently the best on XC, and look rather clean and smart in comparison to the XC stock.

i think if it is possible, they should just change the seat covers on the ex-avantis, as it would be a waste to replace 5 year old seats that are perfectly comfortable.

Yes (though I think the Turbostar ones have a different shaped cushion).

(Edited: the mockups look to have the same shape cushion, just a different colour)

The CrossCountry LEANs are okay for shorter journeys, but i can see them getting uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

 

[Bletchleyite]

i think if it is possible, they should just change the seat covers on the ex-avantis, as it would be a waste to replace 5 year old seats that are perfectly comfortable.

The seats are 20 odd years old - Avanti didn't replace them, just the cushions.

The CrossCountry LEANs are okay for shorter journeys, but i can see them getting uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

The LEAN seems to be becoming quite common, which I find a shame as it results in poor legroom and ignores male physiology (you want the legroom niches at the sides of the seat, not in the middle).

 

[E B]

The seats are 20 odd years old - Avanti didn't replace them, just the cushions.



The LEAN seems to be becoming quite common, which I find a shame as it results in poor legroom and ignores male physiology (you want the legroom niches at the sides of the seat, not in the middle).

Ah ok.

Maybe that’s why the LEAN gets so uncomfortable

 

[voyagerdude220]

The seats are 20 odd years old - Avanti didn't replace them, just the cushions.

Even the ones in First Class?
I think they're great.