CrossCountry to expand fleet with eight additional Voyager trains

CrossCountry has announced plans to expand its long-distance fleet by leasing eight additional Class 221 Voyager trains, which are expected to enter service starting in early 2027. The acquisition was arranged through a collaboration between CrossCountry, Arriva, the Department for Transport, and the rolling stock company Beacon.

Six of the new units will be cascaded from Avanti West Coast, while two will be released by Grand Central. Combined with 12 trains introduced during 2024-25, this expansion is projected to provide nearly 60,000 extra seats per week across the network. The initiative aims to increase capacity on busy routes, reduce crowding, and improve service reliability and resilience between major cities in Great Britain, ranging from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Southampton and Bournemouth.

CrossCountry Managing Director Shiona Rolfe stated that the additional trains are a step toward delivering a more reliable railway and supporting future timetable improvements. Rail Minister Lord Hendy noted that the extra capacity will support growth and jobs as passenger services transition toward public ownership through Great British Railways.