Alstom has secured a £50 million contract to refurbish and maintain five Class 222 Meridian trains as part of a new open-access rail service linking Stirling and London under FirstGroup’s Lumo brand.
The agreement includes a £40 million Train Services Agreement with FirstGroup, which will see Alstom handle servicing, cleaning, and overhauls from its Central Rivers depot in Burton over the next five years. Additionally, a £10 million fleet modernisation programme will be delivered in partnership with Eversholt Rail at Alstom’s Widnes facility.
The refurbished trains, initially operated by East Midlands Railway and manufactured by Alstom, are scheduled to enter service in 2026. This forms part of FirstGroup’s broader strategy to expand Lumo’s open access operations and enhance its long-distance rail offering.
For Alstom, the deal strengthens its role in lifecycle support and asset management in the UK rail sector, while aligning with broader industry efforts to increase passenger rail capacity and sustainability.
