Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year
TRACK ON Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year
A NEW direct train service between a central Scottish city and London is due to launch as early as spring 2026.
Lumo, which is part of FirstGroup, will run four return services a day to Stirling in Scotland, with the exception of Sundays, where there will be three.
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Lumo plans to launch a train service from Stirling to London
Credit: Alamy
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Lumo trains are all-electric
Credit: Alamy
The route will provide first-ever direct services to London for Whifflet, Greenfaulds, and Larbert.
Currently, the Lumo brand runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh.
The new West Coast services were due to start this year, however FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training".
Lumo's new route will link London Euston directly to Stirling, also calling at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert.
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The train company is currently awaiting approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to further extend services to Glasgow.
Martijn Gilbert, managing director of Lumo, said: "Our new service between Stirling and London has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for communities along the route, and we're proud to deliver this direct rail connectivity to towns previously overlooked by traditional rail services.
"We are focused on further expanding our services in Scotland to ensure even greater connectivity across the country and the whole UK."
Sue Webber MSP, Conservative transport spokesperson, said: "Lumo is actively investing in our capital city – not only bringing in tourists but also supporting our vibrant hospitality and events sector.
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"And this isn't just talk: we're looking at £740 million in economic benefits from Lumo by 2032."
According to the BBC, there are currently only two daily trains to London that stop at Stirling - the Highland Chieftain from Inverness and the Caledonian Sleeper.
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The new service, once launched, will also compete with Avanti West Coast and publicly-owned ScotRail, LNER and TransPennine Express.
Last year, Lumo also announced plans for a cheap train route from London to the North West.
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A proposed new train service would offer journeys between London and Rochdale, with stops at Manchester.
If plans are approved, it would be the first time that a direct train has connected Rochdale to London for more than 25 years.
What are Lumo trains like?
LUMO trains are fully-electric trains which were introduced back in 2021.
At the time of launch, passengers could travel from London to Edinburgh for just £19.90.
The company claimed they provided "fares that are fair".
The trains do not have a first class option, but they do have USB sockets, tray tables and comfortable seating.
Passengers can also personalise their lighting via a button on the back of the seat in front of them.
An application has been submitted to the Office of Rail and Road and if approved, the new services could take to the rails in 2027.
Also announced last year, Lumo's train service joining Edinburgh and London is expected to be quicker than taking a flight.
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Also, the UK's largest train station once had direct routes to Europe and now has a huge new Wetherspoons.
Plus, the first ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching.
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