Laughs on the line: Lumo celebrates North East comedy with onboard sets ahead of Edinburgh Fringe

• Customers on the 10:15 Lumo service from London King’s Cross - Edinburgh Waverley treated to comedy sets at 125mph
• Pop-up comedy show celebrates North East comedy group Felt Nowt’s venue at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

There was an electric atmosphere on one of Lumo’s all-electric services as the rail operator brought a thrilling onboard comedy show to customers ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Lumo, recently named the UK’s best value rail operator, teamed up with the North East of England comedy group Felt Nowt to give customers on the 10:15 service from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley an exclusive preview of their sets at the year’s Fringe. 



The interactive comedy shows from Lee Kyle, Jake Donaldson and Elaine Robertson received a rapturous response from Lumo customers, who were given a unique journey that they won’t forget.  

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe returns on Friday (7 August 2026) and is widely known as one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet. Attendees are set to be dazzled by a world of entertainment, with artists and performers taking to hundreds of stages across the city.



This year, for the first time, Felt Nowt is hosting a venue at the Fringe which will be dedicated to showcasing the best talent from the North East of England. Visitors will be able to watch a variety of shows throughout the duration of the festival at The Alchemist.

Lumo’s East Coast Main Line service is proudly based in Newcastle, connecting the city with destinations including London King’s Cross, Edinburgh Waverley, Falkirk High and Glasgow Queen Street. Lumo is a sustainable and affordable way to travel to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with the operator’s famous onboard service bringing a flavour of the North East’s charm and humour to every journey.  

Richard Salkeld, Director of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, travelled on the service alongside the performers. He said: “Championing the North East is at the heart of what we do and this was a brilliant way to showcase the region’s incredible comedy talent while giving our customers an unforgettable experience. It demonstrates how Lumo continues to do things differently through creative partnerships that celebrate the places and communities we serve.”


Lee Kyle, Director of Felt Nowt, added: "A gig on a train was certainly a first for us and lots of fun, it's great working with Lumo and their support for comedy in the North East is really valuable and appreciated. We've such a strong programme of shows at The Alchemist on George Street throughout the festival, it'd be lovely to see people come and watch some great and inventive North East comedians with us.”



Lumo’s comedy collaboration with Felt Nowt follows the news earlier this week that Lumo is also supporting a fun new transport-themed exhibition at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, helping to inspire the next generation of transport enthusiasts through imaginative play and hands-on experiences. Running until 28 February 2027, Things That Go! is the first exhibition to be staged in Discovery Museum’s newly renovated Special Exhibitions Gallery.