CrossCountry is promising more reliable journeys in the South West because of improvements to its Voyager trains.
With more instances of severe weather presenting challenges to transport, CrossCountry has made significant changes to its trains to ensure they can continue working in stormy weather along the exposed sea wall on the South Devon coast.
Previously, in conditions when a train could be struck by waves coming over the sea wall, Voyagers were not permitted to operate between Exeter and Newton Abbot as their onboard systems could fail.
This left passengers having to use other services to complete their journeys, leading them to believe that they could not rely on the region's train connections to the Midlands and North.
CrossCountry has now completed extensive modifications which it has successfully tested on the Voyagers. This means they can now work in the same conditions as other trains, ensuring a more resilient service to support the region's important long-distance leisure and business connections.
Alongside the train improvements, Network Rail is investing over £80 million to protect the railway along the South Devon coast.
Huw Margetts, CrossCountry's Regional Director for West and Wales, said: “We're really pleased with the improvements to the Voyagers, which significantly enhances the reliability of our trains and connectivity to the South West that is vital for the region's economy.
“We've worked closely with local businesses and other stakeholders to ensure our services can be relied on by everyone looking to come and enjoy the region's beaches and popular destinations.”
Councillor Andrea Davis, cabinet member Devon County Council for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, and chairman Peninsula Transport said: “Reliability and resilience are the top priorities for our residents, businesses, and visitors. This is welcome news for all of us in the South West, the popular CrossCountry route is vitally important to our region and with this improvement travellers can be reassured that journeys will not be subject to weather conditions, increasing confidence in the network.”
Alina Wolfe-Murray, Network Rail senior sponsor, said: “The improvements to CrossCountry's Voyager trains are more great news for railway passengers in the south west. They will further enhance the reliability and enjoyment of journeys for passengers travelling to and from the south west along this iconic stretch of coastal railway.
“The new £80m sea wall – part of our South West Rail Resilience Programme – is already helping to prevent delays and disruption to passengers by helping to stop the tracks flooding and allowing the line to reopen more quickly after major storms. Both the train improvements and the new sea wall will help to maintain access to a vital transport link for people and businesses in the region.”
Trevor Butler, Senior Commercial Director, Beacon Rail said: “Beacon Rail is proud to have played a part in this great example of cross-industry collaboration to ensure Voyagers, the backbone of the Cross Country fleet, will maintain rail services to and from the South West during challenging conditions at Dawlish.”
Why don’t Cross Country listen ? the comfiest trains are the HST’s by far – they should be using more, the Voyagers for long distance are abysmal. As others whenever travelling from Derby to the West Country always prefer to time it for a HST.
Further…I agree that Voyagers have never been the best to replace HSTs, that Cross Country originally had
and maybe a better refurb might be in order.Maybe if they moved to the “Lomo” style of service? Are the days of first class numbered anyway? Avanti have almost obliterated it (along with everything else?).The only likely replacement might be Hitachi 800 class bimode.How long would it take to pass those for all routes Cross Country covers?
In the meantime, I might settle for strikes to be over and Cross Country attempting the best service it can in meantime.
Good to hear the voyagers will finally be salt water resistant. I agree with other commentators though – they have always been a poor replacement for other older trains – a 4 coach train, 1 being 1st class does not give adequate passenger accommodation for long distance travel. They quickly become cramped and I’ve had to stand on many occasions especially out of Bristol. The situation with cross country is likely to get worse as I hear the few remaining HSTs they do still operate (with a much better passenger environment) are being withdrawn this year, with no replacement stock.
Either the XC press team don’t know their own photos or your Railadvent editorial staff have guessed a general caption “some of the team at CrossCountry” for the main jpg.
The gentleman on the far left is Kevin Foster MP, Member of Parliament for Torbay and Minister of State for Transport with responsibility for rail 7 September to 26 October 2022.
Thanks for the good news nevertheless, had a few 100% refunds related to Voyagers curtailed at Exeter St Davids. Still hate the units though having probably done 100000 miles on them by business necessity since their debut, when I couldn’t get myself onto a wonderful refurbished XC HST set. Insufficient Standard Class capacity at least as single sets, poor window spacing and their tilt profile makes them claustrophobic.
Hi Alan
It was ‘placeholder text’ to replace the description supplied which was just a bunch of numbers, so thanks for the extra info
They should install a air vent in the toilets they are disgusting air conditioning not effective. And they should run 8 coach trains two units to prevent overcrowding.
It’s a pity they do not spend any money on the passenger experience. The trains have worn our seats,toilets etc. They have not had a penny spent on them since Virgin trains lost the franchise.
Better Voyagers?! how about longer ones four coaches are a joke 🤔
It would have been better if the Government had weatherproofed the line by rebuilding away from the coast.
The Cross Country Rail Operating Contract has the potential to bring superb journey potential for rail passengers up and down the Country ( this with the proviso that the rail strikes are over soon).
If you are a discretary traveller , who has more time, using Cross Country might be more attractive (if say “going down south”) than the dreadfully, woeful Avanti West Coast.
Limited changes of station have always been attractive to passengers.Let us hope we can usefully use Cross Country to effects this year.