First Group has announced that they have entered into a deal with Eversholt Rail, which will see five Class 222s leased for their new London – Stirling service.

In 2024, First Group acquired Grand Union WCML, which included track access rights for an open-access rail service between London Euston and Stirling.

This agreement runs until 2030 and includes four return services a day, with three on Sundays, and an additional fifth service from Preston to London.

These new services will be run under the Lumo brand and will provide an increase in services for passengers.

Trains will stop at Stirling, Larbert, Greenfaulds, Whifflet, Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Preston (Lancs), Crewe, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes Central and London Euston.

It is expected that the service will start in mid-2026 following delivery of trains and staff training.

“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.”

Chief Executive Officer Graham Sutherland