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* 29 [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170 ''Turbostars'']]<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pickering|first=Graeme|title=Further five 'Super Voyagers' are set to boost CrossCountry fleet|department=Traction & Stock| magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1478|volume=170|date=May 2024|pages=94}}</ref>
* 34 [[British Rail Class 220|Class 220 ''Voyagers'']]
*
|stations = 120
|stationsop =
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CrossCountry's network is centred around {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}. It operates intercity and other long-distance passenger trains across Great Britain, but does not serve Greater London. It operates the UK's longest direct rail passenger service, from {{rws|Aberdeen}} in the north-east of Scotland to {{rws|Penzance}} in western Cornwall, which has a journey time of 13 hours and 15 minutes. While some services on the [[West Coast Main Line]] were promptly discontinued with the introduction of a new timetable on 9 December 2007, with some transferring over to both [[Virgin Trains West Coast]] and to [[First TransPennine Express]], new services, such as a daily {{rws|Nottingham}} to {{rws|Bournemouth}} service introduced during December 2008, were also implemented. CrossCountry has designated four stations as alternative changeover stations: {{rws|Cheltenham Spa}}, {{rws|Derby}}, {{rws|Leamington Spa}} and {{stn|Wolverhampton}}. Special services have occasionally been run, such as between {{rws|Bournemouth}} and {{rws|Weymouth}} in support of the [[Sailing at the 2012 Summer Olympics|Sailing at the 2012 Olympics & Paralympics]].
In August 2024, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]], [[Louise Haigh]], criticised the company's performance and threatened to take action if it did not improve, following its request to reduce its service levels in the new timetable.
==History==
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===Extension of the franchise===
While the franchise had been originally due to conclude on 31 March 2016, during August 2013, it was announced that it had been extended until December 2019.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 March 2013 |title=Railway plan puts new focus on passengers |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/franchise-announcement |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130813220726/https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/franchise-announcement |archive-date=13 August 2013 |access-date=27 March 2013 |publisher= Secretary of State for Transport}}</ref> At one point, it had been expected that an ITT would be issued in October 2018 for the next franchise,<ref name="franchiselettingprocess">{{Cite web |title
During September 2020, it was announced that the emergency agreements with train operating companies introduced due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]] were to be extended for 18{{nbsp}}months, and that all [[passenger rail franchising in Great Britain]] was abandoned.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 September 2020 |title=Rail franchises axed as help for train firms extended |work=BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54232015 |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> In October 2020, the DfT confirmed that the franchise had been extended for three years, putting the finishing date back to 15 October 2023.<ref>{{cite web |
===Industrial action===
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CrossCountry is one of several train operators affected by the [[2022–present United Kingdom railway strikes|2022–2024 United Kingdom railway strikes]], the first national rail strike in the UK for three decades.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61573206 |title = Rail strike: RMT union votes for national action |work = BBC News |date=24 May 2022 |access-date=24 May 2022}}</ref> Its workers were amongst those who voted in favour of [[industrial action]] due to a dispute over pay and working conditions.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/crosscountry-and-east-midlands-railway-staff-vote-for-rail-strike-action-3757410 |title= CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway staff vote for rail strike action |newspaper= Yorkshire Post |location= Leeds |first=Chris |last=Burn |date=5 July 2022}}</ref> CrossCountry was capable of operating only a very minimal timetable on any of the planned dates for the strikes due to the number of staff involved.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 June 2022 |title=The dates of the train, Tube and bus strikes this week, and how services will be affected |newspaper=[[i (newspaper)|Inews]] |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/strike-dates-this-week-when-train-tube-strikes-start-why-how-travel-affected-1695412 |access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.itv.com/news/central/2022-06-21/trains-across-the-midlands-brought-to-a-standstill-as-rail-workers-go-on-strike |title= Trains across the Midlands brought to standstill as rail workers strike over pay and conditions |website= itv.com |date=21 June 2022}}</ref>
===Performance issues===
In August 2024, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]], [[Louise Haigh]], criticised the company's performance saying she had "serious concerns" and threatened to take action if it did not improve, following its request to reduce its service levels in the new three-month timetable which is due to run from 10 August to 9 November 2024.<ref name = tt2024 >{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gz7y51jnno | work = BBC News | title = 'Serious concerns' about CrossCountry rail service | first1 = Katy | last1 = Austin | first2 = Jacqueline | last2 = Howard | date = 10 August 2024 | access-date = 10 August 2024}}</ref>
The company cited a driver training backlog as the reason for the reduced service. In a letter to the company's joint interim managing directors, Haigh said
{{blockquote|text = Over the past year, the level of train cancellations across your company has increased significantly and by your own forecasts, you expected to breach your contractual targets for cancellations in the coming months. I do not find this level of service provision acceptable, nor do I find a three-month reduced timetable to be a satisfactory response. Given your inability to run a full timetable, and the need to provide clear information for passengers I had little choice but to approve this request. Put simply, the only reason I accepted your proposal was to give passengers more certainty on which services will run. If you fail to deliver the Remedial Plan, I will not hesitate to take further action. | author = Haigh, Louise | title = Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport to CrossCountry about its train service performance<ref name = haigh24 >{{cite web | url = https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crosscountry-service-performance | title = Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport to CrossCountry about its train service performance | first1 = Louise | last1 = Haigh | author-link1= Louise Haigh | publisher = [[Department for Transport]] | date = 9 August 2024 | access-date = 10 August 2024}}</ref>}}
==Services==
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* between {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}} and {{rws|Aberdeen}} in the morning and evening (Aberdeen would be served during the day instead), replaced by [[Abellio ScotRail|ScotRail]] services.{{efn|The proposed withdrawal did not include the morning/evening services that run only between Edinburgh and Dundee.}}
In April 2017, it was announced the proposed changes would not be proceeding.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/plans-to-cut-crosscountry-trains-to-aberdeen-to-be-scrapped-1-4417141 |title = Plans to cut CrossCountry trains to Aberdeen to be scrapped |date = 11 April 2017 |publisher = edinburghnews.scotsman.com |access-date = 21 October 2018 |archive-date = 23 September 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180923162948/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/plans-to-cut-crosscountry-trains-to-aberdeen-to-be-scrapped-1-4417141 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
===Stations served only by CrossCountry===
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During 2008, the [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170 ''Turbostar'']] fleet was refurbished, during which the three-carriage units repainted at Marcroft Engineering, [[Stoke-on-Trent]], the two-carriage units at [[DB Cargo UK|EWS]]'s [[Toton TMD|Toton depot]] and the interiors renewed by Transys Projects, [[Clacton-on-Sea]], including the fitting of first-class seating to the Class 170/5s and 170/6s.<ref>{{cite press release |url = http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/about-us/press/refurbishment-of-class-170-turbostar-trains-begins |title = Refurbishment of Class 170 Turbostar trains begins |publisher = CrossCountry |date = 30 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url = http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/about-us/press/crosscountry%27s-first-refreshed-turbostar-enters-service |title = CrossCountry's first refurbished Turbostar enters service |publisher = CrossCountry |date = 19 May 2008 |access-date = 28 July 2022 |archive-date = 26 December 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121226205817/http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/about-us/press/crosscountry%27s-first-refreshed-turbostar-enters-service |url-status = dead }}</ref>
The tilt function on the [[British Rail Class 221|Class 221 ''Super Voyagers'']] was removed in 2008; tilting was not required on the parts of the [[West Coast Main Line]] that CrossCountry serves.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = CrossCountry stops tilting |first = Tony |last = Miles |magazine = Modern Railways |location = London |page = 71 |date = August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = CrossCountry removes tilt from its 221 Voyagers |magazine = Rail Magazine|issue = 595 |date = 2 July 2008 |page = 8}}</ref> CrossCountry stated this change would improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs.
Between 2008 and 2009, both the [[British Rail Class 220|Class 220 ''Voyagers'']] and [[British Rail Class 221|Class 221 ''Super Voyagers'']] underwent refurbishment at [[Bombardier Transportation]]'s [[Derby Litchurch Lane Works]]. This work involved the removal of the shop, adding 25% extra luggage space and fourteen extra standard-class seats to the Class 220 ''Voyagers'' and 20% extra luggage space and sixteen extra standard-class seats to the Class 221 ''Super Voyagers''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Seats not shops for Voyagers |magazine = Rail Magazine|issue = 589 |date = 9 April 2008 |page = 23}}</ref> Three years later, a refresh of the interiors was conducted, during which the standard-class seats were re-covered in the existing red and blue moquette and while the first class seats were finished with a maroon moquette. In summer 2014, CrossCountry began removing the quiet coach designation from such vehicles across its ''Voyager'' fleet, believing them to be outdated and to take up an excessive amount of space on a four-car unit; however, it did retain the quiet coaches on its five HST sets.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine = Rail Magazine|issue = 755 |date = 20 August 2014 |pages = 60–61}}</ref>
During November 2017, as a part of CrossCountry's franchise extension, two former Virgin Trains Class 221 Super Voyager driving cars of unit 221144 were reactivated, having been stored at [[Central Rivers TMD]] for several years. Two of the existing five-car sets
In 2021, six of the existing two-carriage Class 170s were lengthened. This happened as a result of [[East Midlands Railway]] only leasing the two-carriage driving vehicles of the West Midlands Railway 170/6 sets, hence six centre cars became available when they were replaced by [[West Midlands Trains]] for transfer to CrossCountry.<ref name="rail_magazine">{{Cite magazine |title = Government and CrossCountry work on train capacity plan |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/government-and-crosscountry-work-on-train-capacity-plan |access-date = 25 June 2021 |magazine = Rail Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/east-midlands-railway-plans-spring-2020-start-for-class-170s |magazine = Rail Magazine |title = East Midlands Railway plans Spring 2020 start for Class 170s |date = 28 November 2019 |access-date = 28 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title = Progress on new train fleets continues |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/progress-on-new-train-fleets-continues |access-date = 25 June 2021 |magazine = Rail Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = First WMT 170 joins EMR fleet |magazine = Rail Magazine|issue = 925 |date = 24 February 2021 |page = 28}}</ref>
In September 2023, it was announced that seven Class 221 "Super Voyagers" would be transferred from [[Avanti West Coast]] to CrossCountry, following the withdrawal of its HSTs.<ref name="AvantiXCVoyagersSep23">{{Cite news |last=Aston |first=Jon |date=19 September 2023 |title=Extra Voyagers in new CrossCountry contract |url= https://www.modernrailways.com/article/extra-voyagers-new-crosscountry-contract |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=Modern Railways
In March 2024, it was announced that a further five Class 221 Super Voyagers would be transferred from Avanti West Coast. In addition, all of CrossCountry's Voyager trains will be refurbished, as well as its regional Turbostar fleet.<ref name=RailwayNewsMar24>{{cite news |last=May |first=Tiana |date=25 March 2024 |title=UK: CrossCountry Unveils Plans to Transform Fleet by May 2025 |url=https://railway-news.com/uk-crosscountry-unveils-plans-to-transform-fleet-by-may-2025/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Railway News}}</ref>
===Current rolling stock===
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! km/h
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[Bombardier Turbostar]]
| rowspan="3" | [[British Rail Class 170|170]]
| rowspan="3" | [[File:Class170XC.jpg|140px]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]]
| rowspan="3" | 100
| rowspan="3" | 160
| 7
| 2
| rowspan="2" | 1998{{ndash}}2002
|-
| 22
| 3
|-
| colspan="3" | [[File:CrossCountry Class 170-1-3-5.png|378x378px]]<br>[[File:CrossCountry Class 170-1-6.png|559x559px]]
|-
| rowspan="
| rowspan="2" | [[British Rail Class 220|220 ''Voyager'']]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Dawlish Warren MMB 07 South Devon Main Line 220032.jpg|140px]]
| rowspan="5" | [[Diesel multiple unit#Diesel–electric|DEMU]]
| rowspan="5" | 125
| rowspan="5" | 200
| 34
| 4
| 2000{{ndash}}2001
|-
| colspan="3" | [[File:Class 220 CrossCountry Diagram.png|632x632px]]
|-
| rowspan="
| rowspan="
| 4
| 4
| rowspan="2" | 2001{{ndash}}2002
|-
|
| 5
|-
| [[File:CrossCountryClass221.jpg|140px]]
| colspan="3" | [[File:Class 221 CrossCountry Diagram.png|783x783px]] |-
▲In September 2023, it was announced that seven Class 221 "Super Voyagers" would be transferred from [[Avanti West Coast]] to CrossCountry, following the withdrawal of its HSTs.<ref name="AvantiXCVoyagersSep23">{{Cite news |last=Aston |first=Jon |date=19 September 2023 |title=Extra Voyagers in new CrossCountry contract |url= https://www.modernrailways.com/article/extra-voyagers-new-crosscountry-contract |access-date=19 September 2023 |work=Modern Railways}}</ref> In March 2024, it was announced that a further five Class 221 Super Voyagers would be transferred from Avanti West Coast. In addition all 58 of CrossCountry's existing Voyager trains will be refurbished, as well as its regional Turbostar fleet.<ref name=RailwayNewsMar24>{{cite news |last=May |first=Tiana |date=25 March 2024 |title=UK: CrossCountry Unveils Plans to Transform Fleet by May 2025 |url=https://railway-news.com/uk-crosscountry-unveils-plans-to-transform-fleet-by-may-2025/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Railway News}}</ref>
|}
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==External links==
{{Commons category
* {{Official website}}
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