Alstom has signed a 50 million GBP contract to refurbish and maintain five Class 222 trains that will operate under FirstGroup’s Lumo brand. The agreement, made in collaboration with FirstGroup and rolling stock owner Eversholt Rail, will support the introduction of new open-access passenger services between Stirling and London.
The contract consists of two principal elements. A five-year Train Services Agreement with FirstGroup, worth approximately 40 million GBP, will be delivered from Alstom’s Central Rivers maintenance facility in Staffordshire. This part of the agreement includes regular servicing, overhauls, cleaning and technical support.
The second element involves a fleet modernisation programme with Eversholt Rail, valued at around 10 million GBP. This work will be carried out at Alstom’s Widnes site in Cheshire. The upgrade programme includes the installation of new seating designed for ergonomic comfort, a full repaint of the train exteriors in Lumo livery, and enhanced onboard Wi-Fi delivered by Newcastle-based Nomad Digital, an Alstom subsidiary.
The refurbishment will also see the addition of new closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and Intelligent Engine Start-Stop (IESS) technology, which shuts down and restarts train engines when stationary to support fuel efficiency and emission reduction.
Alstom’s Central Rivers depot in Burton upon Trent will serve as the primary maintenance location. The facility features multiple maintenance roads, an engine repair bay, an automated inspection system, and overnight servicing for up to 26 trains.
The contract is expected to support approximately 50 jobs across both sites and will also involve work through Alstom’s broader UK supply chain.
Peter Broadley, Commercial Director UK and Ireland at Alstom said:This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering high-performance, customer-focused rail services across the UK. By combining Alstom’s deep technical expertise with the operational excellence of FirstGroup and Eversholt Rail, we’re ensuring that fare-paying passengers benefit from a modern, reliable and comfortable travel experience between Stirling and London. The investment in both refurbishment and long-term support reflects our shared ambition to drive innovation and sustainability in rail transport.
The Class 222 units were originally manufactured by Alstom as part of the Voyager family and most recently operated by East Midlands Railway as Meridian trains.
Following their refurbishment, the five six-car trains are scheduled to re-enter service in 2026 under the Lumo brand. They will operate on a new route connecting central and southern Scotland to London Euston.
Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail said:Eversholt Rail are pleased to be part of this tri-partite collaborative project with FirstGroup and Alstom and we are looking forward to seeing what potential opportunities this new open access service can bring. Alstom’s on-going involvement with the Class 222 fleet as the original equipment manufacturer will cement it’s pedigree as a high-quality intercity train. The upgraded features will enhance the passenger experience for the journey between London and Stirling.
The new service will call at Stirling, Larbert, Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld), Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes and London Euston. For Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert, this will mark their first direct connection to the capital.
This project forms part of FirstGroup’s ongoing expansion of its open-access rail operations, which are privately funded and operate outside of franchising arrangements.
Graham Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer at FirstGroup said:We are pleased to work with Eversholt Rail and Alstom on the rolling stock element of our new service between London and Stirling. This new route is another important step towards rolling out Lumo as a nationwide operator and growing our open access capacity, a key priority for FirstGroup. 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.
