Published 22 May 2026
· New Lumo West Coast service officially launches Monday 25 May
· Low-cost fares start from just £29.90 between London Euston and Stirling
· Community partners given the chance to experience the service with surprises including a Scottish bagpiper and a Caribbean steel drum performance
Excitement is building as Lumo prepares to launch its much-anticipated new West Coast rail service on Monday 25 May – and lucky guests have already been given the chance to give it a try.
Community partners, Lumo apprentices and other special guests from along the route all came together to experience the breathtaking views on the route and a first taste of Lumo’s renowned customer service onboard the refreshed trains connecting Stirling with London Euston.
The iconic sound of Scottish bagpipes rung out across Stirling as guests set off on one of Lumo’s six-coach eye-catching blue trains, which have received widespread critical acclaim, with refreshed interiors and a single-class service designed to offer the best value fares; replicating the success of Lumo on the East Coast Main Line.
There are just days to go until customers will be able to get big savings on the popular route. Tickets start from just £29.90 between London Euston and Stirling. Travelling from London to Preston starts from just £23.90 and Preston to Stirling from an impressive £14.90. The service will also call at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.
As part of the launch celebrations, Lumo has partnered with Pride Radio, an inclusive station broadcasting across the UK. The radio station’s Breakfast Show was broadcast live from a special ‘Rail Roadshow’ at Stirling Station, giving listeners the chance to win a range of exciting prizes and find out more about the new service. The bus will also be at Carlisle Market on 22 and 23 May.
Residents of Stirling, meanwhile, were treated to a stunning display as iconic local landmarks including the National Wallace Monument were illuminated in Lumo’s distinctive blue on the evening before the special preview train departed for London. The Jamsalana Steel Band treated guests to a vibrant performance as the train arrived in London Euston.
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.”
Lumo’s West Coast service is creating around 100 jobs, with a new rail base which opened in Preston in March. New roles include customer drivers, instructors and customer experience ambassadors. A recruitment drive has been underway with a particular focus on encouraging people to join the industry from a variety of backgrounds and previous careers.
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.”
Gary Walsh, Network Rail's West Coast South route director said: "Network Rail is pleased to work with Lumo to open up more opportunities for communities in Scotland and along the West Coast Main Line to travel into London by rail.
"We're looking forward to seeing Lumo's services get underway and to continuing our work to keep the West Coast Main Line for everyone who relies on it."
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.”
The operator has already successfully served the East Coast Main Line for a number of years, linking Glasgow, Falkirk and Edinburgh with the North East of England and London.
Lumo has already established several community partnerships on the West Coast including the popular ‘Bloody Scotland’ crime writing festival and Stirling Pride with more to follow in the coming months.
Lumo has been successfully shortlisted in the Proud Scotland awards taking place on 30th May in Glasgow in the Best Small Employer category.
· Low-cost fares start from just £29.90 between London Euston and Stirling
· Community partners given the chance to experience the service with surprises including a Scottish bagpiper and a Caribbean steel drum performance
Excitement is building as Lumo prepares to launch its much-anticipated new West Coast rail service on Monday 25 May – and lucky guests have already been given the chance to give it a try.
Community partners, Lumo apprentices and other special guests from along the route all came together to experience the breathtaking views on the route and a first taste of Lumo’s renowned customer service onboard the refreshed trains connecting Stirling with London Euston.
The iconic sound of Scottish bagpipes rung out across Stirling as guests set off on one of Lumo’s six-coach eye-catching blue trains, which have received widespread critical acclaim, with refreshed interiors and a single-class service designed to offer the best value fares; replicating the success of Lumo on the East Coast Main Line.
There are just days to go until customers will be able to get big savings on the popular route. Tickets start from just £29.90 between London Euston and Stirling. Travelling from London to Preston starts from just £23.90 and Preston to Stirling from an impressive £14.90. The service will also call at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.
As part of the launch celebrations, Lumo has partnered with Pride Radio, an inclusive station broadcasting across the UK. The radio station’s Breakfast Show was broadcast live from a special ‘Rail Roadshow’ at Stirling Station, giving listeners the chance to win a range of exciting prizes and find out more about the new service. The bus will also be at Carlisle Market on 22 and 23 May.
Residents of Stirling, meanwhile, were treated to a stunning display as iconic local landmarks including the National Wallace Monument were illuminated in Lumo’s distinctive blue on the evening before the special preview train departed for London. The Jamsalana Steel Band treated guests to a vibrant performance as the train arrived in London Euston.
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.”
Lumo’s West Coast service is creating around 100 jobs, with a new rail base which opened in Preston in March. New roles include customer drivers, instructors and customer experience ambassadors. A recruitment drive has been underway with a particular focus on encouraging people to join the industry from a variety of backgrounds and previous careers.
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.”
Gary Walsh, Network Rail's West Coast South route director said: "Network Rail is pleased to work with Lumo to open up more opportunities for communities in Scotland and along the West Coast Main Line to travel into London by rail.
"We're looking forward to seeing Lumo's services get underway and to continuing our work to keep the West Coast Main Line for everyone who relies on it."
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.”
The operator has already successfully served the East Coast Main Line for a number of years, linking Glasgow, Falkirk and Edinburgh with the North East of England and London.
Lumo has already established several community partnerships on the West Coast including the popular ‘Bloody Scotland’ crime writing festival and Stirling Pride with more to follow in the coming months.
Lumo has been successfully shortlisted in the Proud Scotland awards taking place on 30th May in Glasgow in the Best Small Employer category.
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