Porterbrook is supporting a major overhaul programme of Turbostar fleets across the UK, helping operators deliver a more comfortable, reliable and connected experience for passengers.

Through investment and close collaboration with Arriva TrainCare, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry Trains and East Midlands Railway, refurbished Class 170 and Class 168 units are returning to service with upgraded interiors, onboard technology and customer facilities.

Delivering these improvements has been a significant undertaking for the Heavy Maintenance team at Arriva TrainCare’s Crewe depot. Working in partnership with Porterbrook, the team has carried out extensive engineering activity across multiple fleets, with each operator following their own upgrading programme and requirements. The first fully refurbished units have now entered service across the network throughout 2024 and 2025.

Chiltern Railways

Chiltern was the first to launch a refurbished Class 168 Turbostar on the 9th of October 2024 at London Marylebone, marking an important milestone in the wider fleet modernisation programme. The original units were the first to be procured in the privatisation era, they were ordered in 1996 and built in 1998. Supported by Porterbrook’s investment, the upgrades include interior enhancements, an exterior repaint, battery and air system overhauls, a new Wi-Fi system and USB charging sockets. Together, these improvements are helping create a more comfortable and connected journey for passengers while supporting the long-term performance of the fleet.

“The 168s are an excellent fleet and have been serving Chiltern passengers well since they were introduced. This refurbishment programme will ensure these trains continue to serve passengers comfortably and reliably for many years to come.
This significant milestone would not have been possible without a true partnership approach – congratulations to everyone involved in the project.”

Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer at Porterbrook

CrossCountry

Porterbrook is also financing a multi-million-pound transformation of the Class 170 Turbostar fleet CrossCountry leased in 2007. The first refurbished unit returned to service on the 4th of March 2025 with a fully refreshed interior and exterior, alongside new CCTV and automatic passenger counting technology. The removal of the First-Class area has increased capacity and helped reduce crowding on some inter-regional routes. Across the 29-train fleet, approximately 8.2 miles of cabling will be installed, 3,376 modern seats fitted and almost 8,000 litres of paint applied as part of a programme scheduled for completion in 2028.

“We know that these trains provide the bulk of the train service for a good portion of our network, and we hope passengers enjoy the significant improvements in convenience and comfort on those journeys.”

Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry

East Midlands Railway

In April 2025, the refurbished Class 170 entered service with EMR. Owned by Porterbrook and previously operated by West Midlands Railway, the unit has undergone a comprehensive update featuring new seating, tables and flooring, refreshed toilets, modern charging facilities and a new passenger information system. At the completion of the programme, 78 Porterbrook-owned vehicles will have been adapted, with additional units entering service each month.

“This refurbishment is more than just a lick of paint – it’s a complete transformation that puts our customers first.”

Will Rogers, former Managing Director at East Midlands Railway

In June 2026, the programme reached a significant milestone when three Turbostar units from across the operators were ready to return to the network at the same time, highlighting the strength of industry collaboration behind the refurbishment work.

What this means for the industry

These programmes demonstrate how targeted investment in existing rolling stock can deliver meaningful improvements for passengers while maximising the value of proven fleets. Just as importantly, they highlight the power of partnership. By bringing together Porterbrook’s investment, Arriva TrainCare’s engineering expertise and the day-to-day experience of the train operators, the industry is delivering modern, passenger-focused trains more efficiently and at scale. This collaborative approach is helping to create a railway that better responds to changing demands with greater reliability and resilience.