Lumo Marks Major Milestone as First West Coast Drivers Qualify Ahead of Launch

Rail operator Lumo has marked a key step towards the launch of its new West Coast Main Line service, with its first group of trainee drivers now fully qualified.

The newly trained Apprentice Customer Drivers have completed a comprehensive programme combining classroom-based learning with hands-on experience, supported by Lumo’s existing workforce. Their qualification comes as the company prepares to introduce services on the West Coast Main Line later this spring.

The milestone was celebrated at Lumo’s East Coast headquarters in Newcastle, where a training simulator has been central to the apprentices’ development. The event was attended by Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, who met the newly qualified drivers.

Lumo’s upcoming route will connect London Euston with Stirling, calling at key locations including Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert. The operator has positioned the service as a lower-cost alternative on the corridor, with fares starting from £29.90.

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

“The graduation of this group of talented and dedicated apprentices is a key milestone as we prepare to launch our new West Coast route. Supporting people to enter the rail industry, regardless of their previous career and background, is incredibly important to us as a company. We’re proud that 95% of our team have joined through our successful apprenticeship programme, in partnership with Train’d Up. Thank you to Dame Chi for joining us to mark this significant moment, as the drivers now begin their route learning on the West Coast, ready to serve our customers.”

Lewis Gow, one of the apprentices who has now successfully qualified as a Customer Driver, said:

“The support from Lumo throughout this process has been amazing, with the Customer Driver Managers in particular offering invaluable guidance to myself and the other apprentices. Being part of a brand-new service is a unique, exciting opportunity and I can’t wait to start officially welcoming our first customers onboard this Spring. The best part of the job for me is the views. The journey I’ll be driving between Stirling and London is stunning and the views are ever-changing with the seasons. I’m so lucky that I’ll be doing this for a living.”

Dame Chi Onwurah MP, Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, said:

“It was a privilege to join the graduation at Lumo’s Newcastle HQ and meet the newly qualified train drivers. These apprentices have successfully completed an intensive programme, using state-of-the-art simulation technology to prepare for the upcoming West Coast service. Lumo’s commitment to the North East is clear, with 95% of their team joining through their apprenticeship programme in partnership with Train’d Up. By opening up careers in rail to people from all backgrounds, Lumo is not only launching a pioneering new route but also building a vital skills base for our community in Newcastle. I look forward to seeing these drivers welcome their first passengers this spring.”

Image: Lumo