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Yesterday the first refurbished four-car Voyager (220033) was unveiled to the media and invited guests at Alstom’s Derby works, where the work is taking place. Expected back in traffic before the end of the month after undergoing an exam at the Central Rivers depot, 220033 is beginning of a programme which, over the next two years, Alstom will refurbish a total of 136 Voyager (Class 220) and 176 Super Voyager (Class 221) cars at Derby, including an additional 12 trains added to the CrossCountry fleet following their release from Avanti West Coast.

Alstom’s £60 million contract is part of long-distance train operator CrossCountry’s £75 million project to refurbish all of its Voyager fleet and has been funded by rolling stock company Beacon.

The work doesn’t involve altering the internal layout of the trains (except for the ex-AWC sets) but does include new seats, tables, wall panelling, carpets and LED lighting, together with internal and forward-facing CCTV and a passenger-counting system. Double the number of power and USB sockets are being provided, allowing for one for each seat.

Here’s a selection of images from the event.

From left to right; Steve Harvey, Alstom’s Services Director UK and Ireland. Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry and Adam Cunliffe, Chief Executive Officer at Beacon Rail.
A pair of 1st Class airline seats. The extra seat width allows for the power and USB sockets to be fitted between the seats, underneath the armrests.
A 1st Class table bay.
One of the refurbished disabled toilets.
A Standard Class table bay, where the power and USB sockets are table-mounted due to the seats being narrower. .
Looking through one of the Standard Class vehicles, showing that the internal layout remains unchanged. What are very noticeable are the new different coloured grab-handles which are designed to be gauge cleared for catering trollies.
The new seats have a longer table compared to the old version, although I’ve not tried using one with a laptop yet. In the longer term there are plans to remove the redundant heating grilles and radiators which take up space at the bottom of the bodyside to create more legroom.
The luggage storage area remains unchanged but it’s been repanelled. The ‘funky’ lighting was temporary and fitted to help illuminate the vehicle as it had no shore-supply attached.
Sockets in Standard Class airline seats, showing that the top one is mounted ‘upside down’ to avoid conflicts. Both the older and newer USB-C sockets are provided. Another feature is that the new seats offer more legroom as there’s no footrest bar.
Here’s a closer look at the new seat mocquette and padding. On first try the seats seem to be firm but with sufficient padding that makes them superior to the ‘ironing board’ types fitted to some other long-distance trains…

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Cheers,

Paul