Alstom reveal new-look CrossCountry Voyager train at historic Midlands factory
The iconic fleet is undergoing an interior and exterior refresh at Alstom’s Derby facility.
Alstom has unveiled the first refurbished train in CrossCountry’s Voyager fleet, as part of its £60 million contract to deliver an improved customer experience across Great Britain.
The new-look train at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby was revealed today (Tuesday February 12).
The refreshed train, Class 220 No. 220033, is set to be back on the tracks soon.
Since it was first introduced, No. 220033 has clocked up 5,811,605 miles of travel – or travelled to the moon and back more than 12 times.
Over the next two years, a total of 136 Voyager (Class 220) and 176 Super Voyager (Class 221) cars are being refurbished by Alstom in Derby, including an additional 12 trains added to the CrossCountry fleet following their release from Avanti West Coast.
The long-distance Voyager fleet has been a cornerstone of Britain’s railways for over two decades, operating across the CrossCountry network, from Aberdeen, Scotland, to Penzance, England.
Originally built in 2000, the trains replaced former British Rail stock and set new standards for comfort and reliability.
Celebrating its 150th birthday in 2026, Derby Litchurch Lane Works is the UK’s largest and oldest operating train factory.
It is also the only facility in the country able to design, engineer, build and test trains for UK and export markets, which it offers alongside vehicle modernisation and refurbishment capabilities.
Steve Harvey, Alstom's Services Director UK and Ireland said: “This milestone reflects the strength of Alstom’s refurbishment capabilities in the UK and the expertise of our team in Derby.
“Upgrading a fleet as intensively used as the Voyagers demands precision, innovation and deep technical knowledge – and our people have delivered exactly that.
“Working closely with CrossCountry and Beacon, we’re ensuring this trusted fleet is equipped for many more years of reliable and comfortable service for passengers across Great Britain.”
He added: “I’m proud of the quality and dedication our team has brought to the first Voyager to leave Litchurch Lane and I know that same commitment will define every train we deliver throughout this programme.”
The Voyagers are maintained, serviced and overhauled by Alstom at its Central Rivers Depot in Staffordshire, while the refurbishment has been carried out by around 130 staff at its Derby Litchurch Lane facility.
Beacon leases Voyager fleet to CrossCountry, with the rolling stock company investing a total of £75.1 million in the fleet refurbishment.
New-look trains
Alstom’s Voyager refurbishment programme delivers a fully refreshed interior and exterior, creating a modern and consistent look throughout the fleet, across both standard and first class.
The work will ensure CrossCountry’s Voyagers deliver comfortable, elevated journeys for years to come.
Over the next two years, all 70 trains in CrossCountry’s long-distance fleet will see:
- New seating with increased legroom, improved under-seat storage and integrated power sockets (three-pin, USB-A and USB-C)
- Upgraded tables at all seats
- New carpets throughout and refreshed interior and exterior artwork
- New, more efficient LED lighting throughout
- Refurbished toilets and vestibules throughout the trains
- New and upgraded onboard CCTV, forward-facing cameras and automatic passenger counters
In line with Alstom’s policy of sending no waste to landfill, would-be waste material from the refurbishment process is set to be recycled, with options being explored on how to make the most of these as the programme continues.
Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry said: “This train marks an important step in our commitment to improving the experience for everyone who travels with us.
“The Voyager fleet has served passengers well for more than two decades, and these upgrades will ensure it continues to meet modern expectations for comfort, sustainability and security.
“We’re proud to be investing in the future of long-distance rail travel and look forward to welcoming passengers on board our refreshed trains.”