Lumo, the open-access rail operator owned by FirstGroup, is poised to inaugurate a new daily train service connecting Stirling and London in Spring 2026. This expansion will see four daily return services, reduced to three on Sundays, notably doubling the current direct train offerings from Stirling to the capital.
The new route, operating from London Euston, represents a strategic move to increase connectivity between central Scotland and southern England. It will include stops at Larbert, Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld), Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton, and Milton Keynes Central. Crucially, the service will provide the first-ever direct rail link to London for communities such as Whifflet, Greenfaulds, and Larbert.
Lumo currently operates an all-electric fleet on the East Coast Main Line, providing services between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh. The Stirling service will utilise five six-car Class 222 Meridian diesel trains, leased from Eversholt Rail, each offering approximately 340 standard class seats. The introduction of this service is anticipated to foster greater competition, particularly with Avanti West Coast, which has historically been the primary long-distance operator on the West Coast Main Line.
FirstGroup chief executive, Graham Sutherland, expressed optimism about the new venture, stating:
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“Our investment and capabilities in open access rail have delivered reliable, value-for-money services, grown rail demand and helped to spur economic growth and connect communities. We look forward to doing the same on our new services.”
The Group’s financial performance reflects this strategic focus, with adjusted operating profit rising to £222.8 million in FY 2025. Lumo has already carried over 2.5 million passengers since its launch in 2021, and the new Stirling route is projected to generate £50 million in annual revenue with a low double-digit operating profit margin. This investment also includes a substantial £500 million order for new Hitachi trains, signalling FirstGroup’s long-term commitment to its open-access portfolio.
The introduction of Lumo’s Stirling-London service is expected to significantly boost local economies, attract inward investment, and enhance tourism and travel opportunities for residents in Stirling and along the route. The success of Lumo’s Edinburgh service in shifting passenger demand from air to rail highlights the potential for similar environmental and economic benefits on this new West Coast Main Line route.
