Alstom has secured a £50 million contract with FirstGroup and Eversholt Rail for the refresh and maintenance of five, six-car Class 222 trains. It comes ahead of open access passenger services being launched between Stirling and London under FirstGroup’s Lumo brand.
The contract comprises two key components which includes a Train Services Agreement (TSA) with FirstGroup – valued at approximately £40 million – to be delivered at Alstom’s Central Rivers facility in Burton. From here, Alstom will maintain, overhaul, service and clean the five trains over the next five years.
In addition, the contract includes a fleet modernisation programme with Eversholt Rail – worth around £10 million – which will be carried out at Alstom’s Widnes site. The refresh involves installation of new, ergonomically designed seating, upgraded passenger Wi-Fi for improved onboard connectivity and a full exterior repaint to align with Lumo’s branding.
The modernisation also includes new CCTV systems and Intelligent Engine Start-Stop (IESS) technology, which automatically shuts down and restarts the train’s engine when stationary – improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Built by Alstom as part of the Voyager family – and previously operated by East Midlands Railway as Meridian trains – the five units are scheduled to re-enter service with Lumo next year, serving passengers between central and southern Scotland and London Euston.
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.”
