Lumo Apprentices Step Into the Cab as New West Coast Route Nears Launch

Open access rail operator Lumo has welcomed a new group of apprentices as the company prepares to expand its operations and introduce services on the West Coast Main Line.

Sixteen apprentice customer drivers have begun the transition from classroom training to operating Lumo’s refurbished Class 222 train fleet. The recruits started their training programme in June 2025 and are undertaking a combination of theoretical learning and practical experience designed to prepare them for their roles as fully qualified drivers.

Lumo currently operates low-cost services along the East Coast Main Line, linking destinations such as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle with London. The operator says its services consistently receive high ratings for reliability and customer satisfaction.

The company is now preparing to launch a new route on the West Coast Main Line in the coming months. The service will maintain Lumo’s approach of offering low fares and strong customer service while improving rail connectivity for communities that previously lacked direct links to the capital.

As part of the preparations, Lumo has also revealed details of its refurbished Class 222 trains that will be used on the route. The upgrades include refreshed seating across the fleet, with some carriages receiving new grey and silver seats. Like the company’s existing services, the trains will feature a single standard-class layout, designed so all passengers have access to comfortable seating and views along the route.

The new West Coast route will run between London Euston and Stirling, with stops planned at several stations along the line including Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.

The service will provide a number of stations with their first direct connection to London. In particular, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert will gain direct rail links to the capital for the first time, which Lumo says could help support local economic growth and improve travel options for communities in the area.

To support the new route, the company plans to open a new headquarters in Preston, which will serve as the operational base for its West Coast Main Line services. Tickets for the route are expected to go on sale at a later date.

Lindsay Gauntlett, Head of People and Culture at Lumo, said:

“We’re proud of the progress of our new apprentices preparing to help us launch our new route connecting London Euston and Stirling. Nearly all Lumo colleagues have had the opportunity to train through our apprenticeship programme with Train’d Up. As a company, we believe in supporting local people to have the opportunity to work in the rail industry, regardless of their previous career and background.”

Image: Lumo