23.05.08
CrossCountry’s refreshed Class 170 Turbostar enters service
CrossCountry’s first refreshed Class 170 Turbostar train has entered service to provide more seats and luggage space and new First Class accommodation on services between Cardiff and Nottingham and Birmingham New Street and Stansted Airport. The three-coach train has a total of 200 seats and can accommodate cycles in a strapped position and in vestibule areas.
Interior refreshment to provide bright, attractive and comfortable accommodation was carried out at Transys Projects’ depot in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Seats have been re-upholstered, new carpets fitted and at-seat power points installed in the two-plus-one seating of the new First Class accommodation.
As well as receiving the interior makeover, all 13 two-coach and 16 three-coach trains are being repainted into CrossCountry’s striking and distinctive new livery of warm black and red to make them easily recognisable to customers. Exterior repainting, due as part of scheduled overhaul, is being carried out by EWS subsidiary Axiom Rail at the EWS Toton Depot, near Nottingham and at Marcroft Depot, Stoke-on-Trent. Work on the entire fleet will be completed by early next year.
CrossCountry Managing Director Andy Cooper said: “We’re delighted to be working with Transys Projects on this vital programme to increase capacity on our services. Our Class 170 trains, which serve some of our busiest routes through Birmingham, are being refreshed to a standard of the highest quality. They will make a significant contribution to our commitment to provide up to 35 percent more seating and additional luggage space on our trains.
“Also, introduction of First Class accommodation on every train will meet the demand for this service from a growing market on these routes.”
To avoid train shortages during the refreshment programme, the work is being phased to coincide with scheduled maintenance. Until the project is completed early next year, some coaches will, therefore, run with reworked exteriors or interiors only.
CrossCountry started operating on 11 November 2007. The franchise, which is the most extensive in the UK, will run until 31 March 2016.
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