The first refurbished Class 170 ‘Turbostar’ unit has entered service with CrossCountry, as part of an ongoing fleet refurbishment program. The work is being carried out at Arriva TrainCare’s Crewe depot, funded by rolling stock financier and asset management company Porterbrook, which owns the fleet.
The program covers 29 trains, comprising 80 carriages, and includes modifications such as new seating, tables, carpets, and charging points at all seats. Other updates include a full repaint, updated passenger information screens, and refreshed onboard facilities. The First-Class area has been removed to accommodate additional Standard Class seating.
Technical upgrades include the installation of new CCTV and automatic passenger counting equipment. The refurbishment is also expected to introduce operational efficiencies across the fleet.
The refurbished Turbostar units will be deployed on CrossCountry’s inter-regional services, operating between Cardiff and Nottingham via Birmingham and between Birmingham and Stansted Airport via Leicester. The fleet has been in service with CrossCountry since 2007 under lease from Porterbrook.
