At its historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works in the UK, Alstom has unveiled the first refurbished unit of the iconic Voyager CrossCountry fleet, representing a milestone in a multi-million pound refurbishment programme. The refurbished train, Class 220 No. 220033, was presented to invitees on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, and is scheduled to be back in service soon after completing its interior and exterior overhaul.
A Major Investment in Long Distance Rail Travel
The refurbishment project(s) are part of a total investment cost of £60-75m, which will be funded by the rolling stock leasing company, Beacon Rail, and delivered via a partnership between Alstom and CrossCountry.
Over the next two years, the entire CrossCountry long distance (or inter-city) fleet (every train) will be modernised (refurbished) – the changes include the refurbishment of both standard and first class coaches.
“The official launch of our first refurbished Voyager represents an important milestone in CrossCountry’s efforts to enhance the passenger experience across our complete network from Aberdeen (Scotland) to Penzance (England),” stated CrossCountry Managing Director Shiona Rolfe.
Refurbishment Features – Comfort & Modern Technology
The refurbishment of the Voyager trains will improve passenger comfort and incorporate modern technology into the vehicle. Some of the highlights include: New seating with increased legroom and improved storage space.
- Integrated electrical outlets (3 pin, USB-A and USB-C) in all locations
- Round tables, carpet and modernised interior design
- Energy efficient LED lighting throughout
- Refurbished restrooms and vestibules
- Updated onboard fire safety system, including: CCTV; and counting people onboard trains
All of these enhancements are upgrading the interior environment to modernise the old train fleet to be equivalent to today’s standards as much as possible.
Heritage Points to the Future at Derby Litchurch Lane Works
The train was unveiled in a facility owned by Alstom called Derby Litchurch Lane Works; it is the oldest operating train factory in the UK and will turn 150 years old in 2026. The factory has an average response time of 60 seconds when you request to use their parts to design/build/repair trains for domestic and export markets.
Approximately 130 staff from Alstom are working with CrossCountry and Beacon Rail on the refurbishment programme. They are working hard together to complete the first phase of the refurbishment programme.
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Voyager Fleet: Legacy and Future
The UK’s Voyager trains have been available for over 20 years, with the first unit of this type introduced into service in 2000. The first unit (No. 220033) has travelled over 5.8 million miles, or the equivalent of approximately 12 round trips to the moon and back.
In total, the refurbishment programme for Voyager trains encompasses all 312 carriages of both Class 220 and Class 221 models in the fleet, as well as some recently-added units to CrossCountry from Avanti West Coast. As a result of this major investment by Beacon Rail in the £75.1m refurbishments, CrossCountry will continue to carry millions of passengers per year with nearly 40m journeys taken by CrossCountry in 2025 alone, making the need for a refurbished Voyager experience all the more critical.
Sustainable development is at the heart of all aspects of the refurbishment strategy, with Alstom operating under a zero-to-landfill policy and working to recycle or explore other options for excess material generated as part of the refurbishment programme.
The refurbishment plans for Voyager’s, which are owned and financed by Beacon Rail, will improve the reliability, comfort, and long-term viability of Voyager services in supporting demand for long-distance travel through improved environmental performance.
Looking Ahead: Fleetwide Transformation
The unveiling of the first Voyager train means that the complete refurbishment of all trains in the Voyager fleet is continuing until 2027. The completed refurbishments will be returned to service as new and will meet modern expectations for passenger comfort, connectivity, and safety.
The upgrades made by Alstom and CrossCountry will provide an improved long-distance travel experience across GB., combining the historical significance of a great fleet with the requirements of a 21st-century mode of transport.
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