CrossCountry XC Class 170 refurbishment

[AJDesiro]

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

The refurbished 168s and 395s have them already.

 

[ChrisC]

I’m not a fan of exterior at all but being so bright does make it stand out. At locations like Nottingham and Derby where XC and EMR both operate 170’s it will be easier to spot and recognise your train from a distance. Currently they do look very similar when viewing from a distance. Passengers who are regular travellers and familiar with the livery should be able see their correct train much easier.

 

[Discuss223]

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.

It looks brilliant.

I really like the carpet.

Flat cloth looks very smart.

It's a shame to lose First Class accommodation.

It does look like the interior has been designed have minimal brand specific elements to it.

I suspect this is to do with the possibility of GBRailways taking over the CrossCountry franchise at sometime in the distant future.

It's a shame that they didn't make the window sills uniform.

The outer two carriages were introduced separately in to service by Midland Mainline.

The centre carriage came later and had a different window sill design.

 

[AMD]

Flat cloth looks very smart.

It's moquette.

 

[skyhigh]

It's a shame that they didn't make the window sills uniform.

I don't really understand what you mean by this, but I suspect it's something that almost zero passengers will care about.

 

[D365]

It looks brilliant.

I really like the carpet.

Flat cloth looks very smart.

It's a shame to lose First Class accommodation.

It does look like the interior has been designed have minimal brand specific elements to it.

I suspect this is to do with the possibility of GBRailways taking over the CrossCountry franchise at sometime in the distant future.

It's a shame that they didn't make the window sills uniform.

The outer two carriages were introduced separately in to service by Midland Mainline.

The centre carriage came later and had a different window sill design.

Other than the window sills (when compared to the Class 455/7s with ex 508 trailer car, is it really that big a deal?) I have to agree with all of your points. The distinctive livery will welcomed at Nottingham and Derby where, currently, we mostly see a sea of purple and maroon vehicles.

 

[Discuss223]

The distinctive livery will welcomed at Nottingham and Derby where, currently, we mostly see a sea of purple and maroon vehicles.

Yes.

It's a nice livery.

The colour blocking with shapes reminds me of the Avanti livery.

Painting the headlight frames black makes them look very smart too.

 

[AirRail]

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.

Thanks AJDesiro. The images we've all been waiting for. I personally think it looks fab. A much needed refurb for these very well utilised units. A great job by those who have worked on them .

 

[19Gnasher69]

A hideously contrived and unnecessarily garish livery.
I wonder if XC will name it Jackson Pollock.

 

[Discuss223]

Nevermind USB-C, it's a shame that they haven't fitted wireless charging points.

Looking at the trends with technology, in ten years or so, I reckon the concept of plugging in a wire to charge your tablet or mobile phone will be very dated.

The bus industry has started to fit wireless charging to some of its vehicles, such as the Mainline branded B9 Geminis in First Doncaster.

Looking at the pictures of the sockets facing upwards on the table, I do hope that nobody spills their drink in them.

Are there safeguards that domestic sockets don't have?

I know if I spilt water on one of my sockets at home, I'd get a frightful shock (don't try it).

 

[Anonymous10]

Nevermind USB-C, it's a shame that they haven't fitted wireless charging points.

Looking at the trends with technology, in ten years or so, I reckon the concept of plugging in a wire to charge your tablet or mobile phone will be very dated.

The bus industry has started to fit wireless charging to some of its vehicles, such as the Mainline branded B9 Geminis in First Doncaster.

Looking at the pictures of the sockets facing upwards on the table, I do hope that nobody spills their drink in them.

Are there safeguards that domestic sockets don't have?

I know if I spilt water on one of my sockets at home, I'd get a frightful shock (don't try it).

Usb c puts a higher volume of charge in a shorter time however.

 

[duffield]

Nevermind USB-C, it's a shame that they haven't fitted wireless charging points.

Looking at the trends with technology, in ten years or so, I reckon the concept of plugging in a wire to charge your tablet or mobile phone will be very dated.

The bus industry has started to fit wireless charging to some of its vehicles, such as the Mainline branded B9 Geminis in First Doncaster.

Looking at the pictures of the sockets facing upwards on the table, I do hope that nobody spills their drink in them.

Are there safeguards that domestic sockets don't have?

I know if I spilt water on one of my sockets at home, I'd get a frightful shock (don't try it).

I would hope that if I spilled water into a domestic socket, the resulting short would trip the circuit breaker. Are you saying that wouldn't happen?

Anyhow, I'm sure the train sockets are well protected, the designers know they are likely to be abused.

 

[Discuss223]

Are you saying that wouldn't happen?

I'm not an electrician but I wouldn't recommend testing it to find out.

As a child, I was taught that liquids and plug sockets don't mix.

Anyhow, I'm sure the train sockets are well protected, the designers know they are likely to be abused.

That's what I suspect too, but I am curious as to how.

 

[Russel]

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

As with most trains with USB sockets, within a couple of months, 50% won't work anyway so they may as well have just stuck with a 3 pin socket!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Nevermind USB-C, it's a shame that they haven't fitted wireless charging points.

Is it, considering SWR’s never work?

 

[dk1]

Very impressed all round with this. Good to see some interior pictures too.

 

[fgwrich]

Nevermind USB-C, it's a shame that they haven't fitted wireless charging points.

Looking at the trends with technology, in ten years or so, I reckon the concept of plugging in a wire to charge your tablet or mobile phone will be very dated.

The bus industry has started to fit wireless charging to some of its vehicles, such as the Mainline branded B9 Geminis in First Doncaster.

Looking at the pictures of the sockets facing upwards on the table, I do hope that nobody spills their drink in them.

Are there safeguards that domestic sockets don't have?

I know if I spilt water on one of my sockets at home, I'd get a frightful shock (don't try it).

I’m not disappointed they haven’t gone with Wireless Charging at all. Wireless charging tables are fitted to the FC sections of SWRs Desiro fleet. From experience, it is inherently naff. It takes an age for it to charge, doesn’t take much for a point or rough section of track to cause the phone to move and it’s disconnected itself from charging. It might be a nice feature in a home or restaurant where they are unlikely to move, but gimmicky on a train.

The wireless charging devices I’ve seen so far on buses involve adding in what appears to be a cradle to hold your phone in - I can see that as being easily vandalised on a train, and an extra added cost vs fairly cheap mass produced USB Plug sockets.

Usb c puts a higher volume of charge in a shorter time however.

Indeed, charging an IPhone with a USB-C takes very little time. Even First Kernow’s Enviro’s were charging rapidly and successfully on my visit to Cornwall over the weekend. And surprisingly, and thankfully, rather vandal free.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Ah, I see XC's designers have been reading this forum avidly and have decided to put flip-down seats in the cycle space.

A hideously contrived and unnecessarily garish livery.
I wonder if XC will name it Jackson Pollock.

Seems likely. I've heard "Pollocks" muttered more than once on Oxford platform 4 as people try to squeeze onto the hourly CrossCountry service.

 

[TheGuy77]

Noticed the unusually large fold-down tables and the new dot matrix displays. RTT still shows 170101 in the old livery though.

 

[Trainman40083]

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?

I assumed it was the bike space that moved..Surely a wheelchair space would have to be by the accessible toilet, else the user would never access it

 

[reecestrains]

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.

I've noticed the new PIS screens installed... Looks similar to what's on the Class 700.

I presume it's full colour though if I'm not mistaken?

 

[stadler]

Does anyone know whether or not automated announcements have been installed as part of the refurbishment? If so which voice is used and is it still the BTROS (Whiteleys) system? I am hoping that they have done these as part of the refurbishment. These are one of the last trains left with no automated announcements system.

 

[sh24]

Lighting looks a bit too brilliant white....otherwiuse the refurb looks smart and what a sensible place to locate the sockets!

 

[D365]

Anyhow, I'm sure the train sockets are well protected, the designers know they are likely to be abused.

Where specified correctly by the installer, in accordance with railway rolling stock standards, auxiliary electrical equipment is industrial grade.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

Indeed, charging an IPhone with a USB-C takes very little time. Even First Kernow’s Enviro’s were charging rapidly and successfully on my visit to Cornwall over the weekend. And surprisingly, and thankfully, rather vandal free.

USB-C can deliver several different voltage/current ratings, hence it can be used for things up to quite powerful laptops. When a device is connected there will be negotiation between it and the charger and the cable to select the highest rating which they all support. I suspect these train sockets will only deliver lower ratings - i.e. they should be OK for a phone but probably not for a laptop.

As regards wireless charging, it's massively inefficient at the best of times, and given that things slide about on train tables is likely to be even worse than normal - putting it on trains doesn't seem a good idea.

 

[fgwrich]

USB-C can deliver several different voltage/current ratings, hence it can be used for things up to quite powerful laptops. When a device is connected there will be negotiation between it and the charger and the cable to select the highest rating which they all support. I suspect these train sockets will only deliver lower ratings - i.e. they should be OK for a phone but probably not for a laptop.

As regards wireless charging, it's massively inefficient at the best of times, and given that things slide about on train tables is likely to be even worse than normal - putting it on trains doesn't seem a good idea.

Indeed. The more it’s used the better, it’s nice being able to charge my phone / watch and laptop all from the same charger (and on a personal note I’m glad Apple was forced to bin Lightning in favour of USB-C).

Interior wise, I’ve seen a photo tonight which suggests that they’ve stuck with the Turquoise cloth in the former FC end - has anyone else seen the unit today and are they able to confirm?

 

[class387]

Indeed. The more it’s used the better, it’s nice being able to charge my phone / watch and laptop all from the same charger (and on a personal note I’m glad Apple was forced to bin Lightning in favour of USB-C).

Interior wise, I’ve seen a photo tonight which suggests that they’ve stuck with the Turquoise cloth in the former FC end - has anyone else seen the unit today and are they able to confirm?

Yes - one end has declassified first class with turquoise seats and slightly nicer seat cushions (better contoured and bigger base) and armrests.

 

[AJDesiro]

Indeed. The more it’s used the better, it’s nice being able to charge my phone / watch and laptop all from the same charger (and on a personal note I’m glad Apple was forced to bin Lightning in favour of USB-C).

Interior wise, I’ve seen a photo tonight which suggests that they’ve stuck with the Turquoise cloth in the former FC end - has anyone else seen the unit today and are they able to confirm?

I've seen an image of the turquoise first interior in the Class 168 - 170 - 171 - 172 Turbostar Appreciation group on facebook, although I don't think I'm allowed to share it. It's only going to feature on the first 7 units.

 

[transportphoto]

Interior wise, I’ve seen a photo tonight which suggests that they’ve stuck with the Turquoise cloth in the former FC end - has anyone else seen the unit today and are they able to confirm?

Yes, this is the case. Supported by photos shared by @sean_387 on X: https://x.com/sean_387/status/1894841308612575540?s=46.

 

[jhy44]

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.

Oh wow, what a pleasant surprise! I really hated the mock-up images but I have to say both the internal colour scheme and external livery look very nice, professional, sleek, bright. It’s slightly annoying that they’ve used different shades of red and purple rather than keeping them consistent though. But this is a great improvement on a previously tired and dull train.