Latest news with #GrahamSutherland
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
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."
The Courier
4 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
'Budget' Stirling to London rail services to begin next year
A new train service connecting Stirling to London is set to begin next year. Electric train operator Lumo will launch the new West Coast route to London Euston in mid 2026 There will be four return journeys per day and three on a Sunday. A return service between Euston and Preston will also operate daily. Stations served will include: Launched in 2021, Lumo operates trains between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. It is seen as a budget option for London services compared to other operators. Currently, there are limited direct rail links between Stirling and London. The Caledonian Sleeper and LNER offer some journeys. LNER and Avanti West Coast services are available from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Stirling to London rail connection was first announced in 2024. Grand Union Trains was to run four return services per day from June 2025. First Group, which owns Lumo, then acquired Grand Union and the track access rights. These rights, obtained from the Office of Rail and Road, are in place until 2030. First Group expects the services to achieve annual sales of around £50 million and a 'low double-digit' operating profit margin. Chief executive officer Graham Sutherland said: 'The mobilisation of our new service between London and Stirling is another important step towards rolling out Lumo as a nationwide operator and growing our open access capacity, a key priority for the Group. '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.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
New UK train route to link London with six major UK train stations in Scotland
Services will run between London Euston and Stirling from the middle of 2026 in the hope it will provide more competition for the likes of LNER and Avanti West Coast Six Scottish train stations are set to be linked with London in a major new rail service. The deal, secured for the service to run between the UK capital and Stirling from the middle of next year, was announced by transport giant FirstGroup. The company has reached an agreement with rolling stock firm Eversholt Rail for the planned new route, which will depart from London Euston. The service will also stop at Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds in North Lanarkshire, and Larbert in the Falkirk council area. In addition, the route will include stops at Milton Keynes Central, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, and Carlisle in England. Four return services a day (three on Sundays) will operate on the full route, with an extra daily return service between Euston and Preston. The new route is expected to increase competition for several operators such as LNER and Avanti West Coast. FirstGroup holds track access rights from regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for the route on the West Coast Main Line until 2030. The trains will be operated under FirstGroup's Lumo brand, which currently only runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh, reports The Scottish Daily Express. The new West Coast services were initially planned to start this year, but FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training". The delay is due to the delivery of five Class 222 diesel trains, which will provide approximately 340 standard-class seats each, and staff training. The company anticipates the services will generate around £50 million in annual sales and achieve a "low double-digit" operating profit margin. FirstGroup's chief executive, Graham Sutherland, said: "The mobilisation of our new service between London and Stirling is another important step towards rolling out Lumo as a nationwide operator and growing our open access capacity, a key priority for the group. "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." In January 2024, we told how some train services heading from Stirling across the border were set to be axed as a train operator launched a consultation with passengers. The changes were outlined by LNER and were said to come into place from December that year. The 5.34am direct service leaving Stirling for London King's Cross were set for the chop, alongside the 3pm London-Stirling train in the opposite direction. Both services were to serve Edinburgh instead of Stirling - with LNER blaming 'substantially fewer numbers' on board for the switches, as well as a change in travel patterns from business to leisure. LNER also said the areas impacted were already served by other operators and said they would work closely with other rail operators to maintain train links.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Stirling to London rail service to launch in 2026
A new direct daily train service between Stirling and London is set to launch in which is part of FirstGroup, will run four return services a day, with three on trains will also call at Larbert, Greenfaulds, Whifflet, Motherwell and Lockerbie en-route to Lumo brand currently runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. The new West Coast services were initially planned to start this year, but FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training".The company said it had secured a deal with rolling stock company Eversholt Rail in relation to the planned new UK government started the process of renationalising all remaining franchised train services last month when it brought South Western Railway into public runs on a separate open access basis, meaning it sets its own fares, takes on all revenue risk and receives no taxpayer-funded are currently only two daily trains to London that stop at Stirling - the Highland Chieftain from Inverness, and the Caledonian new service will compete with Avanti West Coast and the publicly-owned ScotRail, TransPennine Express and chief executive Graham Sutherland said: "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."
Western Telegraph
04-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Hundreds sign petition to save Oriel y Parc, St Davids
Oriel y Parc, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's gallery in St Davids opened in 2008. Built with £3.3 million in public and EU funds the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) and National Museum Wales partnership, includes a café, artist studio, education centre and discovery room. (Image: PCNPA) The plan was for the gallery to masterpieces from the national museum's collections as well as permanent display of work by Graham Sutherland, famous for his Pembrokeshire landscapes. Since its opening exhibitions of Sutherland's work as well as Constable's masterpiece Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows of 1831 have brought huge numbers of visitors to the gallery. However, plans for the building are taking a different direction, with the national park authority favouring a two-year £1 million transformation of the space to 'create a flagship Discovery Centre'. The centre would host new permanent interpretation and temporary community exhibitions to create a' Civic Hub developed with and for the people of St Davids and Pembrokeshire'. The proposal also sees the gallery's tower transformed from gallery space into an 'immersive storytelling experience'. Park chief executive, Tegryn Jones said that there are no plans to downgrade the gallery and that exhibitions in conjunction with the national museum will still run. He added that the authority was committed to developing 'a clear and lasting vision' for Oriel y Parc. However, the Pembrokeshire Landscape Gallery Working Group, which has set up a petition on says it is 'deeply concerned' by the plan to 'replace a world-class art space with a National Park Discovery Centre'. (Image: PCNPA) 'This would mean turning away from a purpose-built, publicly funded gallery designed to showcase the artistic treasures of Wales, including the extraordinary bequest of Graham Sutherland's works,' said group members. They are asking PCNPA to reinstate the whole of the Class A gallery space to host exhibitions of treasures from the National Collection continuously alongside the permanent rotating display of works by Graham Sutherland as part of the rolling exhibitions as well as retaining the architectural integrity of the building. They say that the decline in visitor numbers at Oriel y Parc is not due to a lack of interest in art but 'rather a lack of significant fine art exhibitions since 2018'. 'How can a gallery thrive when it is no longer given the opportunity to showcase the art it was built for?' they ask. 'Let's bring back world-class exhibitions that can once again make this gallery a cultural jewel of Wales, and St Davids, and an asset for both local residents and visitors.' To sign the petition search for save Oriel y Parc on or click on the link above. Tegryn Jones, chief executive of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: 'The authority has no plans to downgrade the gallery at Oriel y Parc. "We will continue to deliver an exciting and interesting programme of exhibitions in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru to provide access for multiple audiences to the full range of the National Collections, including the Graham Sutherland collection. 'As an authority we are committed to developing a clear and lasting vision for Oriel y Parc to ensure that it meets the needs of future audiences and builds on the success of the centre over the past 17 years. "Through the development of a master plan for the site, we are keen to strengthen our goal to promote people's enjoyment and understanding of the national park through art, culture and heritage, increase access to the national park for more diverse audiences and address issues of seasonality.'
