By Ross Lydall
The skirl of bagpipes greeted a VIP crowd of politicians, business leaders and transport executives as the first Lumo train departed from Stirling to London.
Lumo, the Newcastle-based low-cost rail operator, is aiming to replicate its success on the East Coast Main Line with a new service linking central Scotland with the Borders, the North of England and the capital.
There was an unmistakable buzz of excitement on board as customer driver instructor Heather Waugh pulled out of the “gateway to the Highlands” bang on time at 8.50am, with Euston station a six-hour journey away.
“This is the first time I can genuinely say that people in my community are showing real excitement about trains,” said Ms Waugh, who has worked on the railways for 21 years.
“It’s such a privilege to be involved and I’m really proud to be part of this journey.”
The previous night, Stirling’s Wallace Monument, a national landmark that towers over the outskirts of the city, had been floodlit in Lumo blue to mark the occasion.
Just as Lumo has attracted visitors and investment to the North East, there are high hopes that it can do likewise along its new West Coast route.
Three stations in central Scotland – Larbert, Greenfaulds and Whifflet – get a direct rail connection to London for the first time.
The trains will also call at Lockerbie and Carlisle, boosting links for communities living either side of Hadrian’s Wall.
On board the newly-refurbished six-carriage trains, politicians and business leaders, from Stirling MSP Alyn Smith to Stirling council leader Cllr Susan McGill, spoke about how the new service was not merely a route south – but a way to attract visitors north.
Mr Smith, one of only two politicians to have been an MP, an MSP and an MEP (the other is Winnie Ewing), was also keen to praise the environmental benefits of rail travel.
“What I like about Lumo is that their prices are very competitive with the low-cost airlines,” he said. “If we are to be serious about decarbonisation, we need to fly less.”
Cllr McGill said: “The sight of the first blue Lumo train in Stirling is an exciting moment.”
About 1.5m passenger journeys have been made on Lumo’s East Coast trains in the past 12 months, according to the Office of Rail and Road, with the popularity of the “open access” operator growing annually.
Lumo’s distinctive blue trains, which call at Morpeth and Newcastle on route to King’s Cross, or north to Edinburgh, Falkirk and Glasgow, have developed a growing fan base since their launch in 2021.
The new West Coast route has been about four years in the planning. Lumo, part of First Group and a sister operator to Hull Trains, has helped to attract travellers away from short haul domestic flights with competitive pricing and a warm on-board welcome from its enthusiastic staff.
Stuart Jones, managing director of First Rail Open Access, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work to get us to this stage, but being able to connect Stirling into London and the West Coast Main Line, and the heart of Scotland… we are really excited.”
He added: “We’re passionate about the benefits that Lumo can offer the West Coast, with a service that is important for both customers and communities along the route.”
The “Class 222” trains that Lumo will operate on the Stirling to Euston route have been refurbished and upgraded at Alstom’s depot in Widnes.
They boast some of the most powerful free on-board wifi on the UK rail network and are fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Paul Sutherland, fleet director of Beacon Rail, which owns the rolling stock, said: “It’s been a great team effort.”
About 100 jobs have been created, including at Lumo’s new rail base in Preston, which opened in March.
New roles include customer drivers, instructors and customer experience ambassadors.
A recruitment drive encouraged people to join the rail industry from a variety of backgrounds and previous careers.
Mr Jones said there were long-term hopes of introducing battery-electric trains on the route to further improve the environmental benefits and passenger experience.
There will be four return trains a day between Stirling and Euston and a fifth return service between Euston and Preston.
Ticket prices start at £14.90 for Stirling to Preston and £29.90 for Stirling to Euston. The service launches on May 25, with a full timetable in place by late July.
Other stations served along the route are Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe and Motherwell.
On the VIP train’s arrival in Euston, the music continued. Members of the Lumo train crew danced on the platform as the Jamsalana Steel Band performed classic tunes, including one of Tina Turner’s greatest hits.
Which one? Simply The Best!
lumo.co.uk