BRITISH open-access operator and FirstGroup subsidiary Lumo launched its second service on May 25, introducing direct trains between London Euston and Stirling in Scotland that operate on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), providing competition for incumbent Avanti West Coast (AWC).
The new service calls at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, and Whifflet. It provides the first-ever direct services from London to Whifflet and Greenfaulds, which are close to the larger population centres of Coatbridge and Cumbernauld respectively.
Until June 18, Lumo is running one train a day in each direction, which on weekdays leaves Stirling at 08.50 to arrive in London Euston at 15.00. The northbound service departs from Euston at 16.36 and arrives in Stirling at 22.32. On Saturdays the southbound departure is at 08.49, with the northbound service leaving at 16.19. On Sundays the southbound train leaves at 13.20, returning at 19.35.
As the service ramps up to eventually offer four trains a day in each direction between London and Stirling from July 27, two trains a day will run on weekdays from June 19, rising to three from July 5. A daily London - Preston service will also be introduced on June 19.
Although the route from London to Stirling is electrified throughout, the new Lumo service is operated with a fleet of five six-car class 222 diesel trains, leased from Eversholt Rail and refurbished by Alstom at its plant in Widnes. Under a five-year contract worth £40m, Alstom is responsible for maintaining the Lumo fleet at its Central Rivers facility near Burton upon Trent.
Each train seats 340 passengers and Lumo says that the new service will offer simplicity, value and comfort, building on the Lumo brand launched with the company’s inaugural London - Edinburgh service in October 2021. Fares start at £29.90 for London - Stirling and at £23.90 for London - Preston.
The new West Coast service is creating around 100 jobs, with Lumo opening a crew base in Preston in March for its drivers, instructors and onboard staff. The company says that recruitment has focused on encouraging people to join the rail industry from a variety of backgrounds and previous careers.
