XC Voyager Refurbishment

[Trainman40083]

Just think. If Cross Country had just had some IEPs, we would not have been having this discussion. But as it is, at least we should see more double sets on NE/SW and a more frequent service towards Reading. I'm looking forward to what they do with the refurb.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Just think. If Cross Country had just had some IEPs

That has been thought. Countless, numerous times, in countless, numerous threads found in Speculative Discussion. If you come back to this post a little later when I have more time I'll link them in for you

 

[Trainman40083]

That has been thought. Countless, numerous times, in countless, numerous threads found in Speculative Discussion. If you come back to this post a little later when I have more time I'll link them in for you

I'm sure they have. No need to link them.

 

[Laserbeam31]

Happened to be on 221114 this morning, and was pleased at the quality of the interior refurbishment. The inside feels much less dingy and worn, and the shop is a welcome (if temporary) addition.

One thing which caught my interest was that there seemed to be one "anomalous" standard-class carriage (I can't remember which; but IIRC it was only the one) which had all table seats. Might this have been some sort of declassified first-class area, or is this some other pre-existing standard-class arrangement from these units' previous life at Avanti?

 

[Scotrail314209]

Happened to be on 221114 this morning, and was pleased at the quality of the interior refurbishment. The inside feels much less dingy and worn, and the shop is a welcome (if temporary) addition.

One thing which caught my interest was that there seemed to be one "anomalous" standard-class carriage (I can't remember which; but IIRC it was only the one) which had all table seats. Might this have been some sort of declassified first-class area, or is this some other pre-existing standard-class arrangement from these units' previous life at Avanti?

The reason that that carriage has all tables is because prior to the minor refurbishment Virgin done on the Voyagers, that coach could be used as an extra First Class carriage on busier services to North Wales.

They used to be very attractive prior to the refresh as they had large blue seats akin to the ones in First Class, but these were changed and replaced with the red and blue standard seats. The coach was still very popular with families and groups, and I can imagine it still would be nowadays.

 

[jayah]

The priority has surely got to be boosting capacity. The refurbs can wait.

The refurbishment, if done well, ought to boost capacity by more than the Avanti 221s.

The layout is a spectacular waste of space, a 4 car Voyager is basically 60+60+40 Standard seats.

GWR managed to get 80/84 into a Mark 3, which is almost a metre shorter, and they had better legroom and more toilets.

I'd rather they took the time and spent the money to get this right, because no matter how awful, we're stuck with them for at least another 10yrs.

 

[James Kevill]

It would be a great idea if the two of Class 221 Super Voyager units 221136 and 221140 could regain the carriages 60986 and 60990 from Class 221144, and they'll become 5 carriages again during the refurbishment. After the two Class 221s are withdrawn from Grand Central Trains for short term lease, Class 221144 could regain the carriages 60994 and 60794 from 221142 and 221143. This will result the three units are in the correct carriage formations and 221142 and 221143 will become 4 carriages and they will be stored away for now. And 34 Class 220 Voyagers will be refurbished first, and after that, the 36 Class Class 221 Super Voyagers will be refurbished as well.

 

[Lewisham2221]

All this (proposed on here) shuffling of carriages to return units to their as built formations - would it achieve any meaningful benefit, or just tidy up a few spotters Excel spreadsheets?

 

[fgwrich]

All this (proposed on here) shuffling of carriages to return units to their as built formations - would it achieve any meaningful benefit, or just tidy up a few spotters Excel spreadsheets?

Very much the latter I feel - They've been running around in these formations for a while now and reforming them back to the original would make a complication to the maintenance schedules.

114 today is shuttling between Oxford and Bournemouth.
116 is on Plymouth - Edinburgh.

No sign of any other units (115) yet which doesn't appear to have worked for XC so far.

 

[Northerngirl]

Surely they should be put together in a way that means there's no spare coaches, I'd rather have two 4 cars than a 5 car and some driving cars abandoned in a depot

 

[YorksLad12]

Caught 1V50 this morning from Leeds. Unreserved seating in 220015+221116 was announced as coaches... F. H and L. Guessing the scripts need updating!

221116 looked quite nice, inside and out. It has those odd labels next to the reservation displays (which I recall seeing a few weeks ago), in which the 'aisle' text is reversed out. This feels (and looks) odd; you'd expect the window text to be reversed out, as the big white background is reminiscent of the window...

 

[fgwrich]

Caught 1V50 this morning from Leeds. Unreserved seating in 220015+221116 was announced as coaches... F. H and L. Guessing the scripts need updating!

221116 looked quite nice, inside and out. It has those odd labels next to the reservation displays (which I recall seeing a few weeks ago), in which the 'aisle' text is reversed out. This feels (and looks) odd; you'd expect the window text to be reversed out, as the big white background is reminiscent of the window...

They certainly offer a welcome relief to travelling on XC, both in terms of additional capacity and for once, actually travelling in a smartly turned out Voyager! I Hope the shop was open too.

After some two or so weeks, 221115 has finally entered service today and is currently working Manchester to Bournemouth.

Realtime Trains | 0825 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth | 17/06/2024

Real-time train running information for 0825 departure from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth on 17/06/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[James Kevill]

When's the refurbishment for the Class 220 Voyagers and Class 221 Super Voyagers going to start this year?

 

[gabrielhj07]

When's the refurbishment for the Class 220 Voyagers and Class 221 Super Voyagers going to start this year?

I thought they were going to start next year?

 

[150249]

I thought they were going to start next year?

Weren't they saying September

 

[43055]

221115 is showing on 5O08 at Bournemouth today. Presumably on 1O08 0725 from Manchester but no allocation showing.

Realtime Trains | 5O08 1218 Bournemouth to Bournemouth Middle Sdgs | 18/06/2024

Real-time train running information for 5O08 1218 departure from Bournemouth to Bournemouth Middle Sdgs on 18/06/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Jamesrob637]

221115 is showing on 5O08 at Bournemouth today. Presumably on 1O08 0725 from Manchester but no allocation showing.

Realtime Trains | 5O08 1218 Bournemouth to Bournemouth Middle Sdgs | 18/06/2024

Real-time train running information for 5O08 1218 departure from Bournemouth to Bournemouth Middle Sdgs on 18/06/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

XC Journey Check says that the 07:25 from Manchester is a double, so it's definitely plausible.

 

[duffield]

I travelled on 221116 yesterday (1V85 0835 Newcastle to Reading) between Derby and Oxford, its interior certainly is in very nice condition, only let down slightly by the coach A accessible toilet which was a bit whiffy and had a pretty wet floor. If the interior condition of coach A is representative, the transferred sets don't really seem to need a refurb yet.

 

[Trainman40083]

I travelled on 221116 yesterday (1V85 0835 Newcastle to Reading) between Derby and Oxford, its interior certainly is in very nice condition, only let down slightly by the coach A accessible toilet which was a bit whiffy and had a pretty wet floor. If the interior condition of coach A is representative, the transferred sets don't really seem to need a refurb yet.

Which is why the ex Avanti sets are being done last

 

[AirRail]

Weren't they saying September

Yes but its now delayed until next year, as confirmed by XC themself.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I travelled on 221116 yesterday (1V85 0835 Newcastle to Reading) between Derby and Oxford, its interior certainly is in very nice condition, only let down slightly by the coach A accessible toilet which was a bit whiffy and had a pretty wet floor. If the interior condition of coach A is representative, the transferred sets don't really seem to need a refurb yet.

Avanti already did a light refurb/refresh on them anyway.

 

[150249]

Yes but its now delayed until next year, as confirmed by XC themself.

Apologies, I missed that

 

[brad465]

How many former Avanti Voyagers does XC now have? It sounds like at least two from the recent discussion, but have anymore moved across?

 

[150249]

How many former Avanti Voyagers does XC now have? It sounds like at least two from the recent discussion, but have anymore moved across?

3, 114-116

 

[brad465]

3, 114-116

Thank you for confirming.

 

[43055]

Noticed today that a ex Avanti 221 is now stabled in the Litchurch Lane works (Alstom) at Derby. Presumably this is one that will eventually go to Cross Country.

 

[Trainman40083]

Noticed today that a ex Avanti 221 is now stabled in the Litchurch Lane works (Alstom) at Derby. Presumably this is one that will eventually go to Cross Country.

221113. Presume so.

 

[fgwrich]

221113. Presume so.

Ah, that explains where that one has been hiding - Thanks. I've noticed it's not tracked one RTT for some time.

 

[danielnez1]

I would send the horrid lot on a one way trip to Sims if I could, but alas we are stuck with them for the foreseeable future. Anyway, how busy does 1st class get on XC services? If it is under utilised, and if most formations will be doubled up, could there be scope to make the 1st current 1st class coaches a composite to boost standard capacity?

 

[Killingworth]

I would send the horrid lot on a one way trip to Sims if I could, but alas we are stuck with them for the foreseeable future. Anyway, how busy does 1st class get on XC services? If it is under utilised, and if most formations will be doubled up, could there be scope to make the 1st current 1st class coaches a composite to boost standard capacity?

The answer is to sell unused first class seats at discounted prices as they already do through Seatfrog.