Lumo Set to Launch Stirling to London Euston Service After Preview Run

Lumo is preparing to launch its new West Coast rail service between Stirling and London Euston on Monday 25 May, with invited guests already given a preview of the route.

Community partners, apprentices and other guests from locations along the line joined a special preview journey, travelling on one of Lumo’s six-coach blue trains ahead of the public launch.

The service will connect Stirling with London Euston, calling at Larbert, Greenfaulds, Whifflet, Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Crewe, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes and Preston. Lumo says fares will start from £29.90 between London Euston and Stirling, with London to Preston from £23.90 and Preston to Stirling from £14.90.

The preview departure from Stirling was marked by the sound of bagpipes, while the train’s arrival into London Euston was met by a performance from the Jamsalana Steel Band. The trains feature refreshed interiors and a single-class service, with Lumo aiming to bring the model it has used on the East Coast Main Line to the West Coast route.

As part of the launch activity, Lumo has also partnered with Pride Radio, which broadcast its Breakfast Show live from a special Rail Roadshow at Stirling station. The event gave listeners the chance to win prizes and find out more about the new service, with the roadshow bus also due to appear at Carlisle Market on 22 and 23 May.

In Stirling, local landmarks including the National Wallace Monument were lit up in Lumo’s blue branding on the evening before the preview train left for London.

The new West Coast operation is expected to create around 100 jobs, supported by a new rail base in Preston which opened in March. Roles include customer drivers, instructors and customer experience ambassadors, with recruitment focused on attracting people from a range of backgrounds and previous careers.

Stuart Jones, Managing Director at First Rail Open Access, said:

“We’re just days away from officially launching our new West Coast service and we couldn’t have reached this point without a great deal of hard work and planning from our dedicated team and network of brilliant partners across the industry. I’d like to thank everyone who joined us for our special preview train which offered a glimpse of what’s to come. 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.”

Graeme Cook, Rail Director, Transport Scotland said:

“Lumo’s new Stirling to London route is a very welcome addition to cross-border services which will provide wider economic and connectivity benefits to Scotland. The new services will not only boost tourism and hospitality for Stirling and the Forth Valley, but also increase connectivity by now providing customers from Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert with direct access to rail connections on the West Coast Main Line and London.”

Colin Howden, Director of National Sustainable Transport Alliance - Transform Scotland, said:

“We’re delighted to see this new service connecting Stirling with London. It delivers a lower carbon option than flying or driving at an affordable price. We’re confident that the new service will provide a catalyst for Stirling’s sustainable tourism ambitions. It provides a direct connection for visitors from London as well as for international inbound visitors arriving in London.”

Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Susan McGill said:

“We are delighted to mark the launch of Lumo’s new rail service between Stirling and London by lighting up some of our world-class visitor attractions and venues in blue. The additional four daily journeys between Stirling and London will enable more people to travel here to visit these landmarks and enjoy everything else we have to offer in the city and the wider region. They will also enhance Stirling’s already superb rail and transport connections across the UK, driving economic growth and job creation, as well as providing more sustainable travel options for residents and visitors. The sight of the first blue Lumo train in Stirling is an exciting moment, and we will continue to work closely with Lumo to ensure the new service is a success and delivers lasting benefits for everyone across the region.”

Image: Lumo