XC Voyager Refurbishment

[AirRail]

If they could just get the same spec done as the Avanti fleet, then they're on to a good thing. I believe the colour choices on the recently refurbished Avanti fleet were purposely chosen to be outside of the Avanti branding / colour pallette, so that they could easily transition onwards to another operator. I would say XC were the operator always in mind. I'd guess if they chose the same seat moquette and all other aspects as on the Avanti fleet refurb, they could get through it much quicker and probably save plenty of £££s in the meantime too. It will also make the additional 221s transition into the fleet much more easily and have an instant uniform look for a new XC interior (shop area aside).

 

[cactustwirly]

The interiors are knackered and this is well overdue.
Noticed they have a horrible musty smell, and every surface is filthy. The colour scheme is dodgy and looks like it's nicotine stained, with tacky walnut tables.

A bright neutral interior would do a world of difference. Ideally you'd rip out the oversized toilets and add extra seats too

 

[ValentaFan1974]

The big rumour going around internally is that the shops on the 7 Avanti units are staying put…. although it’s not been officially confirmed…

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The interiors are knackered and this is well overdue.
Noticed they have a horrible musty smell, and every surface is filthy. The colour scheme is dodgy and looks like it's nicotine stained, with tacky walnut tables.

A bright neutral interior would do a world of difference. Ideally you'd rip out the oversized toilets and add extra seats too

Extra seats in the vestibule?

If they could just get the same spec done as the Avanti fleet, then they're on to a good thing. I believe the colour choices on the recently refurbished Avanti fleet were purposely chosen to be outside of the Avanti branding / colour pallette, so that they could easily transition onwards to another operator. I would say XC were the operator always in mind. I'd guess if they chose the same seat moquette and all other aspects as on the Avanti fleet refurb, they could get through it much quicker and probably save plenty of £££s in the meantime too. It will also make the additional 221s transition into the fleet much more easily and have an instant uniform look for a new XC interior (shop area aside).

Teal and orange are Avanti’s signature colours, and while the seat moquette is largely dark blue, teal and orange definitely feature a lot throughout the refurbished Voyagers.

 

[occone]

I will submit a tender: push them in the sea and replace with nice trains.

Thank you for doing the lord's work
Could probably do that at Portsmouth Harbour, I'll bring the champagne.

The interiors are knackered and this is well overdue.

They're filthy, knackered, and so outdated as you say. I'm sure it was smart back in *checks calendar* 2001, that's 23 whole years ago.

I have complained to XC about their faulty windows where the seal has blown, I had a rant here

crosscountry voyager failed windows

I've noticed that basically every crosscountry voyager has one if not two failed windows these days, often sporting a thriving ecosystem inside between the panes. You can usually see water running down the insides, mould and moss growing, and inside you get no view out. Addding to that - easily...

www.railforums.co.uk

Extra seats in the vestibule?

There have been a good number of times where I've been the only one in the vestibule and a tipdown seat would have been great.

 

[tomoufc]

Are we still waiting for the Avanti voyagers before refurbs can begin? Do we know how long that wait will be?

 

[antharro]

Thank you for doing the lord's work
Could probably do that at Portsmouth Harbour, I'll bring the champagne.

Full power from Portsmouth and Southsea, release the brake and jump out? Just make sure there aren't any boats in the way at Harbour, especially the ferry. Don't think the Isle of Wight would want Voyagers.

Anyway, it's good they're getting a refurb, long overdue. Hopefully a PROPER overhaul, not just a luck of paint, or vinyl stickers that will age badly. And hopefully they change the seats out in standard class for something comfortable. But leave the first class seats alone, I find them to be quite comfortable!

As for the luggage racks; I used to know a lass who was short enough that on busy standing room only southbound services, she would sit in the lower luggage rack where she fitted quite happily with her rucksack. Once the train got to Reading, where I would join, we would then go find a seat.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Are we still waiting for the Avanti voyagers before refurbs can begin? Do we know how long that wait will be?

Couple of months at least - even then they’ll come over one or two at a time…

 

[dereksingh291]

Will CrossCountry refurbish the Avanti Voyagers when they come over considering the Avanti Voyagers were refurbished in July 2020?

 

[fgwrich]

The interiors are knackered and this is well overdue.
Noticed they have a horrible musty smell, and every surface is filthy. The colour scheme is dodgy and looks like it's nicotine stained, with tacky walnut tables.

A bright neutral interior would do a world of difference. Ideally you'd rip out the oversized toilets and add extra seats too

The nicotine stained effect vaulted ceilings have always been a poor feature about the Voyagers interior from new. Just why did they have chose that? At least the Avanti ones appear to have been painted a nice clean white.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The nicotine stained effect vaulted ceilings have always been a poor feature about the Voyagers interior from new. Just why did they have chose that?

Just what was the trend in the late 90s/early 2000s.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Will CrossCountry refurbish the Avanti Voyagers when they come over considering the Avanti Voyagers were refurbished in July 2020?

I don’t believe so, no….

 

[Mike Machin]

The interiors are knackered and this is well overdue.
Noticed they have a horrible musty smell, and every surface is filthy. The colour scheme is dodgy and looks like it's nicotine stained, with tacky walnut tables.

A bright neutral interior would do a world of difference. Ideally you'd rip out the oversized toilets and add extra seats too

They were threadbare and clapped-out when I last regularly travelled on them about five years ago - goodness knows what they must be like now!

 

[tomoufc]

Just what was the trend in the late 90s/early 2000s.

Yeah they have the ambiance of cheap corporate decor from that period

I don’t believe so, no….

Probably just as well

 

[Ben Anslow]

I don’t believe so, no….

They probably do seat covers and grab rails and leave it at that the rest there’s no need

 

[RailWonderer]

Yeah they have the ambiance of cheap corporate decor from that period


Probably just as well

I happen to think they had the smartest interior of any train going at that time.

Now that their carpets are tarred black with gum and the seats are similarly tarred, ripped, worn and threadbare a refurb is well overdue and they are looking dated now.

 

[dereksingh291]

When will the interior refurbishment take place for the CrossCountry Class 220/221s?

 

[Trainman40083]

There's a place just south of Wilnecote which I'm sure would do a grand job with them

Could park them next to 31106

 

[occone]

The nicotine stained effect vaulted ceilings have always been a poor feature

Funnily enough, I only recently realised that the nicotine stain pattern was some kind of vinyl, because a panel next to it was plain beige and I realised they'd originally intentionally put a pattern on the central lighting covers.

I'd also love if XC would replace the fluorescent bulbs with warm white LEDs, or at least colour match the bulbs. They have a right hodgepodge at the moment with a mix of different colour tones and it looks so amateurish

 

[Northerngirl]

I wonder how much longer xc are planning on keeping them, they'll be reaching 30 before too soon, they desperately need a major Interior redo like the 390s have, I'd laugh if they keep the radio tuner

 

[swt_passenger]

I wonder how much longer xc are planning on keeping them, they'll be reaching 30 before too soon, they desperately need a major Interior redo like the 390s have, I'd laugh if they keep the radio tuner

They’d be expected to be in service for 35-40 years. Don’t hold your breath…

 

[py_megapixel]

I'd laugh if they keep the radio tuner

When did those last work? (if ever! Not sure I ever remember using one)

 

[Towers]

I have to say I personally find the XC interiors pretty tolerable, yes they’re knackered but the colours are muted and cosy as opposed to the operating theatre/interrogation unit ambience favoured elsewhere. The red/bluey purple tones are fine by me, although the purple panels in the vestibules and stripey door interiors are a bit naff! “Tacky” stick-on wood hasn’t gone away, it’s just lighter nowadays - there’s plenty of it in the vestibules of an IET!

 

[Jimini]

I have to say I personally find the XC interiors pretty tolerable, yes they’re knackered but the colours are muted and cosy as opposed to the operating theatre/interrogation unit ambience favoured elsewhere. The red/bluey purple tones are fine by me, although the purple panels in the vestibules and stripey door interiors are a bit naff! “Tacky” stick-on wood hasn’t gone away, it’s just lighter nowadays - there’s plenty of it in the vestibules of an IET!

Yep, there's a thread somewhere from a few months ago but I'd concur -- decent seats, massive windows, I quite like 'em! Just wish they weren't running around in four car formations (as has been discussed ad nauseum on here, quite rightly).

 

[Northerngirl]

When did those last work? (if ever! Not sure I ever remember using one)

Not for the last 5 year atleast, I've even dug out wired headphone when I knew I was going on one a few weeks ago, just a high pitch buzz

 

[800Travel]

Hope they put sensors in the interior doors this time - sick of them closing on me while waiting for people to move down the carriage.

 

[GoneSouth]

When did those last work? (if ever! Not sure I ever remember using one)

I think they only lasted until the transfer of franchise from Virgin to Arriva so probably in use for 6 years or close to that. Happy to be corrected but I think they last worked in 2007.

They had a couple of audio channels, I think including live bbc radio which was a great idea at the time before anybody had mobiles and iPads. It was a bit of a trend at the time to do at seat entertainment like planes, I think GWR had an at seat TV system which also had a short shelf life

 

[occone]

Hope they put sensors in the interior doors this time - sick of them closing on me while waiting for people to move down the carriage.

Oh this! Absolutely!

I also hope they tune the engines so they don't shake so violently when idling

 

[GoneSouth]

Hope they put sensors in the interior doors this time - sick of them closing on me while waiting for people to move down the carriage.

Couldn’t agree more, definite design flaw having timers closing doors on people trying to squeeze through congestion of overflowing luggage racks and people sat on the vestibule floor.

 

[Jimini]

I think GWR had an at seat TV system which also had a short shelf life

Volo TV aye.