First refurbished CrossCountry Turbostar enters service

The first refurbished CrossCountry Turbostar has entered traffic sporting a bold new livery and brighter interior.

The three-car Class 170 (170101) was outshopped from Arriva TrainCare’s Crewe depot in late February, and has entered service on the XC’s inter-regional routes between Cardiff and Nottingham, and Birmingham and Stansted Airport.

XC says all 29 of its units will be fitted new tables, sets and carpets, USB and mains plug sockets at all sets, enhanced passenger information screens, refreshed toilets, new CCTV and automatic passenger counting equipment and no First Class seating.

Shiona Rolfe, XC’s new Managing Director, said: “We know that these trains provide the bulk of the train service for a good portion of our network, and we hope passengers enjoy the significant improvements in convenience and comfort on those journeys.”

The Turbostar programme is due to run until 2028, with refurbishment of XC’s Voyagers due to begin later this year.