- Train operator announces massive expansion to long-distance fleet, transforming journeys with around 25% more seats available than today.
- Extra trains arriving soon mean over 12,000 more seats per week for CrossCountry customers planning rail getaways this summer.
- All 58 of CrossCountry’s existing Voyager trains will also be fully refurbished - as well as its regional Turbostar fleet.
Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has secured a further five Voyager trains from rolling stock company Beacon Rail in a significant boost for capacity. The five trains come in addition to the seven extra Voyager trains secured in October.
The 12 extra trains - totalling 60 additional carriages - will strengthen CrossCountry’s long-distance services from May 2025, increasing capacity on north-south routes by over 36,000 seats per week. Combined with a new timetable proposed from May 2025, rail users will see more services as well as longer trains across the network – particularly on CrossCountry’s busy Reading to Newcastle corridor.
Extra trains will be progressively introduced into service on CrossCountry routes from June 2024 following their release from Avanti West Coast, providing a crucial uplift in capacity of around 12,000 seats per week in time for the busy summer holiday period.
Though the extra trains will be brought into service as quickly as possible, a further move to relieve crowding on some of CrossCountry’s long-distance services this summer will see temporary changes to the timetable - meaning busier services will make fewer station calls from June to September only.
Adjusting these calling patterns – at Wakefield Westgate and Chesterfield, Basingstoke and Winchester – encourages passengers making shorter journeys to switch to other operators, providing more capacity for CrossCountry customers making longer journeys.
Also announced is the complete refurbishment of both of CrossCountry’s train fleets – including Turbostar trains which operate regional services from Birmingham to Cardiff, Nottingham and Stansted Airport - transforming the on-board experience for customers across all CrossCountry routes by summer 2026.
Julian Edwards and Scott Maynard, CrossCountry’s Interim Managing Directors, said: “We’re delighted to announce these transformational changes in fleet and on-board experience, which customers will start to benefit from as soon as this summer.
“Our teams are working hard to ensure the smooth introduction and refurbishment of extra trains and we look forward to working with colleagues at Alstom and Beacon Trains to give the ever-impressive Voyager fleet a new lease of life on the CrossCountry network.”
Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, said: “More seats, services and refurbished trains will make for a better passenger experience, helping to relieve crowding. As well as benefiting those travelling with CrossCountry, this important investment in upgraded trains also builds on our record of supporting the rail supply chain."
Peter Broadley, Alstom's Managing Director of Rolling Stock and Services for UK and Ireland, said: “For more than 20 years, CrossCountry’s Voyagers have proudly served towns and cities across Great Britain – travelling millions of miles in the process. We now look forward to giving these iconic Alstom-built trains some well-deserved TLC with a comprehensive overhaul that will include new seats, on-board technology enhancements and an exterior repaint.
“Not only will the refurbishment delight fare-paying customers with increased levels of comfort and accessibility, the overhaul programme will support UK suppliers and skilled jobs across the country.”
Contact Information
CrossCountry Press Office
[email protected]About CrossCountry
CrossCountry is a long-distance passenger train operator, with a network stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff and calling at over 100 stations. Based in Birmingham, CrossCountry connects seven of Britain’s 10 largest cities and delivers 240 services every weekday, equating to over 42 million passenger journeys each year.
For further information on CrossCountry services, visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk or visit one of our social media platforms via X @crosscountryuk or Facebook at facebook.com/crosscountrytrains
Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced adjustments to its timetable from 14 December, as part of the rail industry’s twice-yearly timetable review.
- Giant city centre artwork unveiled on Aire Street in Leeds
- 14-metre-high mural, created by Leeds based artist Elle Koziupa and Global Street Art, celebrates the journeys that have helped shape Leeds
- Photorealism, painterly illustration and graphics combine to depict the textile carts that powered Leeds’ rise to a northern powerhouse, to CrossCountry trains linking the city’s people and culture to the rest of UK today
- CrossCountry will operate a reduced timetable over the Bank Holiday weekend – with no services on Saturday 23 August - due to industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)
- Services on Sunday 24 August are also likely to be subject to cancellations across all CrossCountry routes
- Passengers are advised not to travel on Saturday 23 August and to travel on either side of the Bank Holiday weekend, or claim a full refund
