Lumo launches its new ‘train for everyone’
FIRSTGROUP’S SECOND open access operator Lumo launched its’ new service on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley on October 25, just after this issue of Railways Illustrated went to print.
However, we were invited to join a special preview launch of the service on October 21, where we were able to sample a journey on board one of the brand-new Class 803 Hitachi EMUS purchased for Lumo.
The trains only call at three intermediate stations en route, with Lumo services stopping at Stevenage, Newcastle and Morpeth, and the Newcastle-based operator hopes to tempt air travellers onto its trains, offering a low cost, environmentally-friendly and comfortable alternative.
Initially there are only two trains in each direction between Sunday and Friday, with one in each direction on Saturdays, although the number of trains is due to be extended at some point in December (increasing to four trains in each direction per day) and then again in February or March (five trains in each direction).
Commercial projects director Phil Cameron said that three of the five new trains (803001-803003) are currently available for use by the operator, with 803004 due to be accepted on October 22. The fifth and final train, 803005, should follow in December.
The trains have been assembled by Hitachi at Newton Aycliffe and Mr Cameron said the train builder had done a fantastic job managing the contract during the challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic when completely new ways of working have had to be devised.
He also said that during the training period, Lumo had
utilised both Hull Trains and Transpennine Express trains to assist them while its own fleet has been undergoing acceptance trials and commissioning, but the performance and reliability of the Class 803s has been very good since they have been brought into use. Unlike some of the other Hitachi IET designs, the Class 803s are electric only and do not have any diesel engines or battery mode operation in the event of problems with the overhead line equipment. Commercial and customer experience director Matthew Lee explained that launching a new service so soon after the country has emerged from Covid and the associated lockdowns had been a challenge, but he and his colleagues were excited about the future and believed that Lumo can tempt business travellers away from the regional airlines and onto the trains. Lumo managing director Helen Wylde told Railways Illustrated: “We have worked hard to make this a success and believe we offer a good, comfortable and environmentally friendly alternative to air travel.
“In the first year we have one million seats available on our services and we want to fill as many of those seats as possible. Initial bookings have been encouraging and we hope that those who try our service will want to come and travel with us again. This is a train for everyone.”
Lumo is the third open access operator vying for traffic along the ECML, with Hull Trains and Grand Central also operating services over the route alongside principal route operator LNER. It is the first open access operator to launch its services using a completely new train fleet.