Published 14 Aug 2026
A unique, new spectacle for Lumo customers heading towards Edinburgh has been launched, with the rail operator partnering with Newcastle Castle to create the 'Great Geordie Greeting’.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Henry Gallagher attended the inaugural greeting, which saw the Castle’s new volunteer Town Crier greet Lumo’s train as it passed at 13:08. The North East Dance Project, a Newcastle group which brings together dancers of all ages, also joined the Castle team for the first greeting, with a colourful troop of performers.
It’s hoped that the new initiative, which will take place every weekday, will help to educate customers on the East Coast Main Line about the fact they’re passing directly through the medieval Newcastle Castle grounds, a site of local heritage and key historical importance.
Located along Hadrian's Wall, on the site of the Roman fort 'Pons Aelius', Newcastle Castle sits at the heart of more than 2,000 years of the city’s history. Visitors can explore the Castle’s medieval chambers and passageways, with year-round activities included as part of the annual pass, and a growing visitor experience offer including free site tours, city walking tours and a new Tourist Information Hub, helping visitors to discover more about the Castle and the wider city.
Lumo, an open access rail operator, is the perfect choice for the ‘Great Geordie Greeting’. The company is proudly based in the centre of Newcastle, with its services guaranteeing a warm, Geordie greeting on every journey. Lumo’s sustainable all-electric trains pass through the Castle as they link the city with destinations including London King’s Cross, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street.
Mick Wilkes, CEO of Newcastle Castle, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Lumo on the Great Geordie Greeting and to celebrate the many layers of history that make this site so special. From the Roman fort of Pons Aelius to the Norman Castle and the railway that now passes through the site, each layer tells part of our city's story.
“Rather than seeing the railway as something that divides our site, we’re pleased to embrace it as another part of our shared history. Partnerships with local organisations like Lumo are a great way for us to celebrate Newcastle’s heritage together and introduce the Castle to new audiences.”
Jen Clare, Service Delivery Director at Lumo, added: “We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built over the years, not only for offering affordable and sustainable travel, but also for doing things a little differently. The greeting will give our customers something extra special to look out for as they make their way towards Edinburgh, with spectacular views of the coast to look forward to as they continue their journey.
“Our East Coast services are proudly based in the North East and championing the best places for people to visit here is incredibly important to us. The team at the Castle share our desire to think differently about partnerships and I’m excited to see how the greeting develops over the coming months. It’s sure to be a real treat for visitors to the castle and our customers.”
Travelling with Lumo to spot the ‘Great Geordie Greeting’ is affordable, with Lumo recently being named the UK’s best value rail operator. The operator also scored an impressive 90% overall customer satisfaction score in the Rail Customer Experience Survey (RCXS), placing the operator firmly among the three highest-performing long-distance train operators for the period covering October 2025 to March 2026.
Customers on Lumo’s 10:15 service from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley were also surprised with a thrilling onboard comedy show just a week ago. Lumo teamed up with the North East of England comedy group Felt Nowt to give customers an exclusive preview of a range of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Henry Gallagher attended the inaugural greeting, which saw the Castle’s new volunteer Town Crier greet Lumo’s train as it passed at 13:08. The North East Dance Project, a Newcastle group which brings together dancers of all ages, also joined the Castle team for the first greeting, with a colourful troop of performers.
It’s hoped that the new initiative, which will take place every weekday, will help to educate customers on the East Coast Main Line about the fact they’re passing directly through the medieval Newcastle Castle grounds, a site of local heritage and key historical importance.
Located along Hadrian's Wall, on the site of the Roman fort 'Pons Aelius', Newcastle Castle sits at the heart of more than 2,000 years of the city’s history. Visitors can explore the Castle’s medieval chambers and passageways, with year-round activities included as part of the annual pass, and a growing visitor experience offer including free site tours, city walking tours and a new Tourist Information Hub, helping visitors to discover more about the Castle and the wider city.
Lumo, an open access rail operator, is the perfect choice for the ‘Great Geordie Greeting’. The company is proudly based in the centre of Newcastle, with its services guaranteeing a warm, Geordie greeting on every journey. Lumo’s sustainable all-electric trains pass through the Castle as they link the city with destinations including London King’s Cross, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street.
Mick Wilkes, CEO of Newcastle Castle, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Lumo on the Great Geordie Greeting and to celebrate the many layers of history that make this site so special. From the Roman fort of Pons Aelius to the Norman Castle and the railway that now passes through the site, each layer tells part of our city's story.
“Rather than seeing the railway as something that divides our site, we’re pleased to embrace it as another part of our shared history. Partnerships with local organisations like Lumo are a great way for us to celebrate Newcastle’s heritage together and introduce the Castle to new audiences.”
Jen Clare, Service Delivery Director at Lumo, added: “We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built over the years, not only for offering affordable and sustainable travel, but also for doing things a little differently. The greeting will give our customers something extra special to look out for as they make their way towards Edinburgh, with spectacular views of the coast to look forward to as they continue their journey.
“Our East Coast services are proudly based in the North East and championing the best places for people to visit here is incredibly important to us. The team at the Castle share our desire to think differently about partnerships and I’m excited to see how the greeting develops over the coming months. It’s sure to be a real treat for visitors to the castle and our customers.”
Travelling with Lumo to spot the ‘Great Geordie Greeting’ is affordable, with Lumo recently being named the UK’s best value rail operator. The operator also scored an impressive 90% overall customer satisfaction score in the Rail Customer Experience Survey (RCXS), placing the operator firmly among the three highest-performing long-distance train operators for the period covering October 2025 to March 2026.
Customers on Lumo’s 10:15 service from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley were also surprised with a thrilling onboard comedy show just a week ago. Lumo teamed up with the North East of England comedy group Felt Nowt to give customers an exclusive preview of a range of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.
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