Lumo opens new Preston rail base in style ahead of West Coast expansi

A new rail base in Preston has officially opened in a landmark moment for the city, creating around 100 jobs as Lumo prepares to launch direct Scotland-London trains.

Lumo partnered with the colourful Preston Caribbean Carnival for an eye-catching procession from Preston Railway Station to the new headquarters on Fox Street.

Around 50 VIP guests were given an exclusive insight into the new operation with Sir Mark Hendrick MP, Member of Parliament for Preston, officially opening the base.

Guests were also given a first look at what the newly refurbished Class 222 trains on the route will look like, with a distinctive blue livery and a refreshed interior.

The 'budget train company' operates a single-class of standard seating, offering all customers the best seats to take in the picturesque views on the new route.

It is an open access train operator which runs passenger rail services on the national network, often in competition with services provided by franchised operators.

Stuart Jones, managing director of First Rail Open Access, said: “This is a significant moment for both Lumo colleagues and the people of Preston as we countdown to officially launching our new West Coast service.

“We've chosen Preston as the new location as it is half-way between London and Stirling.

“We’re excited to be investing in our new base in Preston and in recent months we have been building up the workforce by employing at least 80 people from the Preston area and supporting the local economy.

"We've seen the passion for Lancashire in that recruitment process."

Stuart added they are hoping to offer benefits to the county including for businessmen and women needing to travel to London or members of the public.

He said: "The idea of what we're doing here is complimentary to what Preston has done previously by offering something different.

"Our USP is our price point and filling our trains and to do that we need to have a price point that is attractive and we can only survive if people use our services and we are looking to connect new places.

"It is an exciting time as we really want to be part of the community and that is how Lumo started on the East Coast Line four years ago.

“We've seen positive things by doing things with regional partnerships in Newcastle and we want to do that in Preston.”

Stuart says the new trains can offer opportunities for Lancashire.

He said: “You don't need to limit yourself to those stations on our route.

"We look at how we can create a two-way market – as we 100 per cent want to be part of the Lancashire community and take them around the country but we also want to bring people here.

“The route along the West Coast that we have picked are strategically placed as each station we stop at is an interchange station so offers different onward journeys.

“We can’t wait to begin this new service in the coming months, offering simple, low-cost tickets and direct services between Scotland, the North West of England and London.”

The soon to arrive open access service is set to bring big savings to customers on the popular route between Scotland and London, with tickets now on sale starting from just £29.90 between London Euston and Stirling.

The new route will also call at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.

Sir Mark Hendrick MP for Preston, said: “I’m thrilled that Lumo have chosen Preston as the site for their headquarters for their new rail operations between London and Stirling in Scotland.

“This new rail hub will bring jobs for local people, quality apprenticeships, low-cost rail fares, more route options and better connectivity for all rail passengers. As Lumo is an open access operator, they will be able to offer low-cost fares.

“By basing themselves in Preston, as an anchor hub between London and Scotland, I envisage a very positive knock-on effect to the local economy. This is great news for leisure and business passengers and I hope this development will attract businesses to move their operations to the city.

“I look forward to seeing increased growth in the open access operator model in the UK rail industry and wholeheartedly welcome Lumo to our city.”

Councillor Matthew Brown, leader at Preston City Council, said: “The opening of Lumo’s new headquarters is a significant investment in our city and a real boost for local jobs, skills, and opportunities.

“Attracting a new major employer shows Preston is on the up and our local economy is growing from strength to strength linked to our station quarter and wider government investment in the UK rail network.

“We welcome Lumo into our community and look forward to the positive impact their presence will have on our city.”

Lumo’s apprentice drivers also spoke to guests at the event. They began training in June 2025 and are working towards Level 3 Train Driver apprenticeships through specialist training provider Train’d Up.

Further recruitment includes customer driver instructors, qualified drivers and around 50 customer experience ambassadors across the route, with Preston hosting one of the main assessment centres.

Many of the roles are open to people without previous rail experience, encouraging people from a diverse range of backgrounds to join the industry.

Lumo is renowned for being among the top performing UK rail operators, with industry leading customer satisfaction scores and reliability. Lumo has also won a range of awards for powerful community partnerships.