CrossCountry XC Class 170 refurbishment

[LowLevel]

I get the Bike space, but it seems a bit odd to move the wheelchair space away from the large toilet, unless they’ve created two areas for wheelchairs and the like?

Sorry, the meaning of my post is that the wheelchair space is where it always was, but the bike space has moved elsewhere.

 

[fgwrich]

Sorry, the meaning of my post is that the wheelchair space is where it always was, but the bike space has moved elsewhere.

No problem, a little similar to how a lot of the Mk3 based units used to be then with a mixed space at the front behind the cab then.

 

[LowLevel]

No problem, a little similar to how a lot of the Mk3 based units used to be then with a mixed space at the front behind the cab then.

Yeah, they keep the normal seats on the non driving side and then have the bike space and some sideways seats in the driving sides.

 

[MCR247]

Thanks @LowLevel that makes sense now . It makes even more sense that they scrapped 1st class now

 

[AJDesiro]

Thanks. Just had visual confirmation, re-covered originals rather than new seats.

They’re new FISA LEAN seats, you can see the distinctive frames on the inside in some of the videos.

 

[transportphoto]

I get the Bike space, but it seems a bit odd to move the wheelchair space away from the large toilet, unless they’ve created two areas for wheelchairs and the like?

Bike space and wheelchair area have to be separate now. The wheelchair area hasn’t moved from the 50 vehicle. (Sorry! I don’t see the extra few posts on a separate page… )

 

[fgwrich]

They’re new FISA LEAN seats, you can see the distinctive frames on the inside in some of the videos.

There’s some confusion here as one minute the drivers seats have been mentioned, the next it’s the passenger seats. I think we can say they’ve replaced the passenger seats but the drivers seat is the same and has been recovered with new material.

Bike space and wheelchair area have to be separate now. The wheelchair area hasn’t moved from the 50 vehicle. (Sorry! I don’t see the extra few posts on a separate page… )

Ah, that explains it. And to be honest, it’s a decision that should have been made years ago. I know it takes up a little bit more space but it also means that they are used largely as they are intended for without say, a bike blocking a wheelchair user.

 

[AJDesiro]

There’s some confusion here as one minute the drivers seats have been mentioned, the next it’s the passenger seats. I think we can say they’ve replaced the passenger seats but the drivers seat is the same and has been recovered with new material.

Ah right, that's my bad then.

 

[transportphoto]

Ah, that explains it. And to be honest, it’s a decision that should have been made years ago. I know it takes up a little bit more space but it also means that they are used largely as they are intended for without say, a bike blocking a wheelchair user.

Slightly off topic for this thread - but there’s a disability rights campaigner who has been quite vocal on the topic of 170s mixed use areas on X. An example:

Hey @northernassist
Following @railandroad's involvement, you assured me that signs indicating bike storage in your 170 second wheelchair spaces would be removed by the end of January.
But not only is this one still here, you've ADDED one on the first wheelchair space?!

x.com

x.com

 

[LowLevel]

Slightly off topic for this thread - but there’s a disability rights campaigner who has been quite vocal on the topic of 170s mixed use areas on X. An example:

x.com

x.com

As I understand it he's correct - the 170/4s operated by Northern already have a second bike space in the 79 car and following the DfT's direction the signage for bikes in the wheelchair space should have been removed but hasn't been for whatever reason.

 

[AirRail]

I'm extremely surprised, that there's no interior images around of this refurbished unit at all !

 

[class387]

Do we know when 170101 will re-enter service?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Are the voyagers going to be refurbished using a similar colour scheme?

Similar pattern but not colours. Instead of red and silvery grey, the Voyagers will be blue and dark grey.

 

[AJDesiro]

I'm extremely surprised, that there's no interior images around of this refurbished unit at all !

That’s pretty typical in all honesty, I’ll attach some of the concept images below…

I’d imagine the blue seats are just going to be the burgundy now that first has gone.

 

[Archie810]

That’s pretty typical in all honesty, I’ll attach some of the concept images below…

I’d imagine the blue seats are just going to be the burgundy now that first has gone.
View attachment 175256View attachment 175257

Looks alright but in my opinion just get rid of the first class on the 170s, hardly anyone uses it and just takes up space.

Edit: Never mind I didn't know they already had.

 

[AJDesiro]

Looks alright but in my opinion just get rid of the first class on the 170s, hardly anyone uses it and just takes up space.

First has gone now. The 170 services are standard class only.

 

[chubs]

I thought they did get rid of first class?

I've seen some posts suggesting that internal shots aren't allowed to be shared yet so maybe a press release is coming out.

This still also doesnt solve the problem of when a 2 car comes along for a packed service although I'm not sure what could.

 

[Discuss223]

That’s pretty typical in all honesty, I’ll attach some of the concept images below…

I’d imagine the blue seats are just going to be the burgundy now that first has gone.
View attachment 175256View attachment 175257

I'd be surprised if they had the red/pink handles with burgundy seating, as the colour of grab handles has to contrast the colour of the seating enough for a visually impaired person to notice the difference, according to accessibility regulations.

This is why the burgundy seats on Voyager First Class have white grab handles.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

I'd be surprised if they had the red/pink handles with burgundy seating, as the colour of grab handles has to contrast the colour of the seating enough for a visually impaired person to notice the difference, according to accessibility regulations.

This is why the burgundy seats on Voyager First Class have white grab handles.

The grab poles are a red colour inside.

 

[AJDesiro]

I'd be surprised if they had the red/pink handles with burgundy seating, as the colour of grab handles has to contrast the colour of the seating enough for a visually impaired person to notice the difference, according to accessibility regulations.

This is why the burgundy seats on Voyager First Class have white grab handles.

That having been said, the 350/1s and 3s have a light grey grab handle with the grey moquette (the 4s have yellow grab handles), and the ex-LM 170s have a green grab handle with green seats.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

That having been said, the 350/1s and 3s have a light grey grab handle with the grey moquette (the 4s have yellow grab handles), and the ex-LM 170s have a green grab handle with green seats.

Yes I never knew why they didn’t bother repainting the yellow FTPE grab handles. Such a tiny thing but would make their trains match and all look uniform and on brand.

 

[Bletchleyite]

looks better than the drawings. They made it look pinker than reality.

I think it looks terrible, a horrid hotch potch of clashing tones.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Realtime Trains | 1P06 0818 Leicester to Birmingham New Street | 26/02/2025

Real-time train running information for 1P06 0818 departure from Leicester to Birmingham New Street on 26/02/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

170101 is out today post refurbishment.

 

[Anonymous10]

Realtime Trains | 1P06 0818 Leicester to Birmingham New Street | 26/02/2025

Real-time train running information for 1P06 0818 departure from Leicester to Birmingham New Street on 26/02/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

170101 is out today post refurbishment.

Currently returning to Tyseley.

 

[driverd]

I think it looks terrible, a horrid hotch potch of clashing tones.

Absolutely agree, it just looks messy to my eye - the colours don't seem to relate to the TOCs corporate image (especially when you compare with those chosen for the voyager), and the pattern looks unfinished. It seems as though it was inspired by avanti, but the execution just doesn't work for me.

 

[AJDesiro]

Just seen a few pictures of the inside courtesy of @RMcCarthy86 on Twitter/X: https://x.com/RMcCarthy86/status/1894663134108885301.

Unfortunately, the seats look to be flat cloth. The new displays seem quite simple, I believe in a new enclosure. Plug sockets, also with USB-A and USB-C.

Most of this we knew already of course. But I quite like how it's turned out in all honesty, I'll have to try and catch it soon!

I've attached some of the photos below.

To start, this one's come out to play at last. Thought it'd be rude not to come and say hello! I'm taking this through to Brum so I can get the lie of the land, see what's changed (and, indeed, what hasn't) and get a photo or two for work.

As you can imagine, the 08:18 LEI-BHM is quite a busy train, so photos aren't the easiest to get! Still, here's a taster of what's onboard. New seats, new Info screens and some up-to-date power sockets (note USB-C ports).

A slightly better general view of the new interior, plus the new cycle space, which is now distinctly separate from the wheelchair area in the other vehicle. That's all for 170101, as I was swiftly turfed off it lest I also end up on Tyseley!

What was particularly pleasing on the journey was overhearing passengers commenting "Ooh, it's a new train". It doesn't address all the issues on the route, of course, but it is a marked improvement. Anyway, I've a train off Kings Cross at 11:27, so best get moving...

 

[superalbs]

Just seen a few pictures of the inside courtesy of @RMcCarthy86 on Twitter/X: https://x.com/RMcCarthy86/status/1894663134108885301.

Unfortunately, the seats look to be flat cloth. The new displays seem quite simple, I believe in a new enclosure. Plug sockets, also with USB-A and USB-C.

Most of this we knew already of course. But I quite like how it's turned out in all honesty, I'll have to try and catch it soon!

I've attached some of the photos below.

So much more tasteful than the tacky Voyager mock-ups that we've seen. Hopefully they standardise on this design instead.

At least for the interior... the livery looks awful.

 

[fgwrich]

Could be worse. Could be better. There’s a lot of off white in that, grey carpet, and dark burgundy seats. Just needs a little splash of colour to make it a little brighter. However, layout change behind the cab looks good and great to see USB-C finally included too.

 

[vicbury]

USB-C, blimey is that a first on the UK rail network? Interior looks very smart, a nice upgrade for my commute

 

[duffield]

I'm not a fan of the exterior, it's a bit "in yer face" for me, but I don't really care - the signifcant improvement for me is the comprehensive sockets. Maybe the fold-down tables are a bit more generous as well? I hope they've got robust hinges, hinge failure leading to "floppy table syndrome" is an annoying issue on various classes.