- Iconic fleet is undergoing an interior and exterior refresh at Alstom’s Derby facility
- New seats, tables and flooring being installed on Voyagers as part of a £60 million contract
Alstom has unveiled the first refurbished train in CrossCountry’s Voyager fleet, as part of its £60 million contract to deliver a brighter, more comfortable experience for passengers across Great Britain.
Revealing the new-look train at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby on Tuesday 12 February, invited guests were invited to tour the train and experience the improvements first-hand. The refreshed train – Class 220 No. 220033 – is set to be back on the tracks soon. In fact, 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.
New standard class seating on the first refurbished CrossCountry Voyager (No. 220033) (Credit – CrossCountry)
New first class seating on the first refurbished CrossCountry Voyager (No. 220033) (Credit – CrossCountry)
First refurbished CrossCountry Voyager (No. 220033) inside Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works (Credit – Alstom)
“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.” Steve Harvey – Alstom’s Services Director UK and Ireland
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. Legacy Alstom trains, the Voyagers are operated by CrossCountry and owned by rolling stock company Beacon.
Leading rail provider
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 is offers alongside vehicle modernisation and refurbishment capabilities.
Alstom is the UK’s leading supplier of new trains and train services, with 63% of the country’s installed train fleet supported by the company around the clock – and made possible by around 3,000 colleagues across 30 depots.
“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,” said Steve Harvey, Alstom’s Services Director UK and Ireland.
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.”
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.
Modern features like air conditioning and electronic reservations helped transform long-distance travel, doubling passenger numbers from 12 million in 1997 to 24 million by 2007. In 2025, CrossCountry delivered a total of 39.6 million journeys, calling at more than 100 stations across the country.
“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.” Shiona Rolfe – Managing Director at CrossCountry
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.
“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,” said Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry.
She added: “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.”
Beacon leases Voyager fleet to CrossCountry, with the rolling stock company investing a total of £75.1 million in the fleet refurbishment.
“Beacon is proud to support CrossCountry in delivering this substantial upgrade to the Voyager fleet. These trains have underpinned long-distance rail travel in Britain for more than two decades, and this investment ensures they remain reliable, comfortable and fit for the future. Through our close partnership with CrossCountry and Alstom, we remain committed to providing sustainable, high-quality rolling stock that enhances the passenger experience,” said Adam Cunliffe, Chief Executive Officer at Beacon Rail.
