Firm secures £50m contract for new Scotland train route
The contract comprises two key components which includes a Train Services Agreement (TSA) with FirstGroup – valued at approximately £40m – to be delivered at Alstom's Central Rivers facility.
From here, Alstom will maintain, overhaul, service and clean the five trains over the next five years.
In addition, the contract includes a fleet modernisation programme with Eversholt Rail – worth around £10m – which will be carried out at Alstom's Widnes site. The refresh involves installation of new, ergonomically designed seating, upgraded passenger Wi-Fi for improved onboard connectivity and a full exterior repaint to align with Lumo's branding.
READ MORE:
New Stirling to London train service expected to begin in 2026
FirstGroup hails success of Lumo Edinburgh London rail link
New train service between London and Glasgow proposed
The modernisation also includes new CCTV systems and Intelligent Engine Start-Stop (IESS) technology, which automatically shuts down and restarts the train's engine when stationary – improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Peter Broadley, Commercial Director UK and Ireland at Alstom, said: 'This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering high-performance, customer-focused rail services across the UK.
"By combining Alstom's deep technical expertise with the operational excellence of FirstGroup and Eversholt Rail, we're ensuring that fare-paying passengers benefit from a modern, reliable and comfortable travel experience between Stirling and London.
"The investment in both refurbishment and long-term support reflects our shared ambition to drive innovation and sustainability in rail transport."
Alstom's Central Rivers depot in Burton upon Trent is a purpose-built train maintenance facility, which includes a state-of-the-art double-head lathe, nine maintenance roads and two lifting roads.
New rail services between London and central Scotland are expected to launch in 2026
Meanwhile, the Alstom Transport Technology Centre in Widnes is the UK's largest and most sophisticated centre for train modernisation.
The contract with FirstGroup and Eversholt will support 50 roles across the two sites, alongside many more through Alstom's UK supply chain.
Built by Alstom and previously operated by East Midlands Railway, the five Meridian units are scheduled to re-enter service with Lumo next year, serving passengers between central and southern Scotland and London Euston.
Graham Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer at FirstGroup, said: 'We are pleased to work with Eversholt Rail and Alstom on the rolling stock element of our new service between London and Stirling. This new route is another important step towards rolling out Lumo as a nationwide operator and growing our open access capacity, a key priority for FirstGroup.
"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."
Stations served will include Stirling, Larbert, Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) Whifflet (serving Coatbridge) Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes and London Euston. Of these stations, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert will have their first direct services to London.
Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail, said: 'Eversholt Rail are pleased to be part of this tri-partite collaborative project with FirstGroup and Alstom and we are looking forward to seeing what potential opportunities this new open access service can bring.
"Alstom's ongoing involvement with the Class 222 fleet as the original equipment manufacturer will cement it's pedigree as a high-quality intercity train. The upgraded features will enhance the passenger experience for the journey between London and Stirling."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Air travelers are trying to bypass REAL ID requirements with a hilarious hack
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is shutting down a bizarre travel hack: air travelers attempting to use their Costco cards as valid ID at the airport. Starting last month, US travelers were told they needed a federally approved REAL ID or passport to board a domestic flight, with a standard driver's license no longer cutting it. Still, some hopeful vacationers believed their trusty Costco membership cards would be their golden ticket through security. The TSA made it clear in a Facebook post this week that the membership card cannot act as a substitute. 'We love hotdogs and rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as REAL ID because it absolutely does not,' the agency wrote. The TSA's response to the hilarious ID 'hack' sparked over 700 comments - with most amused by the idea, while others insisted the Costco card should actually count as a valid form of ID. 'I'm pretty sure that the Costco card is stronger than some passports,' one joked. 'I mean at least it has a STAR on it,' another wrote. 'Do you take Uncle Sam's Club card though?' a third quipped 'What's more American than using a card that gives you access to hotdogs?' yet another chimed in. In March, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that passengers must have an upgraded REAL ID to board domestic flights without a passport. Created in response to the 9/11 attacks, the REAL ID Act set stricter standards for state-issued IDs - raising the bar on identity verification to bolster national security. Applicants must present documents that prove their identity, legal presence in the U.S., Social Security number, and address. This reduces the chances of fake IDs or identity fraud. In most cases, REAL IDs are marked by a white star inside a yellow circle. They also have enhanced physical features - including barcodes and security holograms - that make them harder to forge and easier for authorities to recognize at a glance. The announcement triggered severe wait times and a scramble for DMV appointments, as Americans rushed to secure their REAL IDs ahead of the May deadline. Although the law was passed in 2005, enforcement deadlines have been pushed back multiple times - more recently due to COVID 19-related delays. By April, 81 percent of travelers presented a state-issued REAL ID or acceptable alternative, according to the TSA. Acceptable alternatives include a valid passport, passport card, or Department of Homeland Security trusted-traveler cards like Global Entry or Nexus. After 20 years in the making, the REAL ID requirement officially took effect on May 7. The IDs have been available through the DMV for years, and those who missed the May deadline can still apply.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The secret code on a boarding pass you NEVER want to see while travelling to the United States
An Aussie traveller has shared her surprise after spotting a mysterious code on her boarding pass. Ruby, was preparing to fly from Brisbane International Airport to the United States when she noticed the four letters 'SSSS' printed on her ticket. Posting to social media, Ruby, who now lives full-time in Chicago, said it was 'the four letters no traveller wants to see on their boarding pass'. The code stands for 'Secondary Security Screening Selection', enforced by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that flags certain passengers for additional checks before boarding. Travellers marked with SSSS should brace for a more intense screening process than usual. These enhanced checks can involve luggage being fully searched, including swabs for explosives and narcotics, and electronics being switched on and inspected. Some passengers have even reported having their feet swabbed or being taken aside for a private screening. TSA agents may also ask detailed questions about the passenger's travel plans, destination, and who packed their bags. There's no set timeframe for how long the SSSS process takes, but it can significantly delay boarding. As a result, anyone flying to or from the US is advised to arrive early, just in case they are selected. 'I've travelled to over 30 countries so am aware of the stigma around it,' Ruby told Yahoo News. Her boarding pass had the SSSS printed before she even made it past airport security. 'They didn't check my paperwork or say anything, which was surprising,' she said. It wasn't until she arrived at the gate that the extra screening kicked in. 'After I scanned my boarding pass, they said, "go over there", and had me hand over my passport, which they reviewed,' Ruby recalled. 'I put all of my stuff out on the table and they swabbed everything, my bag, laptop, hands, and even my stomach. I've never had that before.' The SSSS printed on Ruby's boarding pass flagged her for extra security screening After landing in the US, Ruby said border agents grilled her further before ultimately allowing her to continue on her way. The 'Secondary Security Screening Selection' process was introduced after the September 11 attacks in 2001, as part of strict security reforms under then-President George W. Bush. The TSA has never disclosed exactly how or why passengers are chosen, with the criteria remaining a tightly held secret. In response to Ruby's video, dozens of fellow travellers chimed in with their own SSSS experiences. 'Happens to me EVERY time, they say it's random, but I know it's not,' one person wrote. Another added, 'I got the Super Special Security Screening in Lisbon. It wasn't bad — they just unpacked my carry-on and searched every square inch of everything.' 'It's a huge inconvenience,' someone else commented, 'BUT way less scary knowing what it is beforehand. I had no idea when I got the SSSS in Barcelona flying home.' Another jetsetter, a US citizen was left scratching her head after spotting the cryptic code on her boyfriend's ticket during a recent airport run. She found herself separated from her partner after they passed through security, before she captured the moment he was cleared after undergoing further questioning at passport control. Sharing her experience to social media, the American content creator detailed 'On flights to/from the US, you can get 'randomly' selected to undergo a much higher level of security. 'For my partner, this meant separating all of his things from mine, pulling absolutely everything out of his bag, swabbing everything, and then making sure that his laptop turned on (so that they could inspect it).'
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Spirit Airline passenger terrified after bomb threat evacuates them from flight to California
Travelers were forced to evacuate a Spirit Airlines flight after a bomb threat was reported at a Michigan airport. On Thursday morning, Flight 2145 - scheduled to depart from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Los Angeles International Airport - was abruptly halted just before takeoff. 'The Wayne County Airport Authority's Emergency & Support Services and Airfield Operations team along with the TSA responded to a bomb threat involving a Spirit Airlines aircraft,' an airport authority spokesperson said, as reported by CBS News. TSA officials and airfield operations teams quickly mobilized, safely deplaning all passengers without incident. Video footage from the incident captured a heavy emergency response presence, with flashing lights visible through the rain-soaked windows. A Wayne County Airport Authority employee addressed passengers over the intercom at the front of the plane, informing them that a 'situation' would require everyone to de-board the aircraft. He instructed travelers to leave all carry-on items on the plane, assuring them their belongings would be safe as the aircraft would be secured and surrounded by authorities. After explaining how to de-board the aircraft safely and efficiently, he informed passengers that TSA K-9 dogs were waiting outside to screen everyone as they exited. Following the deplaning, travelers were transported by bus to the Evans Terminal as authorities launched an investigation into the bomb threat. All passengers were rescreened once again after deplaning, and the aircraft was thoroughly inspected and later cleared by authorities. As of now, no explosive device has been found, and no injuries have been reported. However, an investigation remains ongoing. According to flight tracking data, the aircraft eventually departed around 12.45pm - several hours after its intended departure time. Spirit Airlines released a statement explaining that law enforcement was requested to meet the aircraft prior to departure due to a 'potential security issue'. 'The safety of our Guests and Team Members is our top priority, and we are working to get our Guests to their destination as soon as possible,' the airline's statement read, as reported by KTLA News. In February, an American Airlines flight was delayed by more than four hours when a passenger arrived at Austin Airport with their Wi-Fi hotspot saved as 'I have a bomb'. Police boarded flight 2863, bound for Charlotte, and asked the passenger to identify themselves, assessing it could be a 'prank'. 'Cue the groaning from the entire f***ing plane when the cop announced this,' one passenger recalled, with choice words for the 'idiot' who refused to come forward. Another passenger, who gave his name as Steen, told ABC News that he was travelling home when the incident happened. He recalled a police official boarding the plane and telling passengers the prank was not funny. 'If this is a joke, please raise your hand now, because we can deal with the practical joke differently than if this... if we have to do a full blown investigation of what's going on here,' Sheen recalled the lieutenant as having said. When nobody owned up, all passengers were asked to make their way off the plane. Several K9 units were brought in to sniff around the baggage compartment of the plane, as well as the luggage hauled out onto the tarmac, while passengers waited in a cordoned-off segment before being re-screened at security. The aircraft was eventually cleared after it was swept for explosives. The plane finally departed more than four hours later. 'Eventually we are able to board again and take off but the whole thing was just so f***ing infuriating because after all that they were not even able to determine who the hell did this s***,' a passenger shared.
