FirstGroup has said Class 222s were the only units available for its new Lumo service been London Euston and Stirling.
FirstGroup has said Class 222s were the only units available for its new Lumo service been London Euston and Stirling.
The operator announced on June 2 that five six-car DMUs will be leased from Eversholt Rail for the open access route that’s due to start operating in spring 2026.
The sets, currently with East Midlands Railway, will be on lease until the end of the current track access agreement in 2030.
It will mean diesel traction being used under electric wires throughout the 400-mile route.
Last year FirstGroup announced an order for 14 new Hitachi-built bi-mode units for its existing East Coast Main Line and London Paddington-Carmarthen Lumo services (due to arrive from 2027), but did not include Stirling.
FirstGroup told RAIL it didn’t include electric or bi-mode sets in the order as Class 222s were “available to come into service for launch mid-2026” and that the track access contract with Network Rail specifies those units.
New units could be ordered if FirstGroup extends the track access agreement, though there’s currently no timescale for that process.
The new units will be limited to 110mph on the West Coast Main Line because they don’t tilt, unlike the similar ‘221s’ previously used by Avanti West Coast.
Network Rail does not anticipate a problem with securing paths for the Lumo units and is currently working with FirstGroup on finalising the timetable.
The units (expected to be 222001-05) will be refurbished at Alstom’s Transport Technology Centre in Widnes as they come off lease from EMR between September and February 2026.
Alstom will then maintain them over the next five years in a deal with £50 million.
Changes will include the fitment of Intelligent Engine Start-Stop technology that turns off the engine when the units are stationary.
New CCTV systems, seats and better WiFi will also be included while the units will be repainted into Lumo colours.
After that the units will be maintained at Alstom’s Central Rivers depot in Burton upon Trent.
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Norman - 06/06/2025 13:52
Absolutely disgraceful to use diesel on a fully electrified route. If these units must be used then extend the services to Perth or beyond.