RailAdvent was invited last week to take a test run on Lumo’s new Stirling to London train service, and we have now released a video of our day.

In the video, 222601 operated the preview train, which was 1M01 0850 Stirling to London Euston.

We caught the train from Preston and did a full round trip to London Euston.

Services from Stirling to London Euston will call at Larbert, Greenfaulds, Whifflet, Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Preston (Lancs), Crewe, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes Central.

You can see the video here:

Lumo says that it wanted to establish itself in the market first, hence why the operator has chosen Ex-East Midlands Railway Class 222s for the service, which are leased from Beacon Rail.

The operator plans to have Hitachi battery trains on the line as soon as possible, but the 222s provide the cheapest and quickest way to have services running for passengers.

Lumo is an open-access operator, not a franchise, so income is vital to the operator. Two ambassadors per train will check tickets, provide customer announcements, as well as take the refreshment trolley through the train.

Staff will be based at London Euston, Preston and Stirling, with a crew change taking place at Preston.