Alstom is to refresh and maintain five Class 222 trains ahead of the launch of services between Stirling and London Euston.

A train service agreement worth £40m will be delivered at the Central Rivers facility, where the six-car trains will be maintained, overhauled and serviced over the next 5 years.

A fleet modernistation programme, worth £10m, will be carried out at Alstom’s Widnes depot, and this will involve installing new seats, wifi, and a full repaint to align with Lumo’s branding.

Start-Stop technology will also be installed, which shuts down and restarts the engine when stationary, improving efficiency.

The trains previously operated with East Midlands Railway but will enter service with Lumo next year, operating on the West Coast Main Line.

“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,” said Peter Broadley, Commercial Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.

“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,” said Graham Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer at FirstGroup.