Lumo – alternative east coast rail

I almost didn’t post this piece. After all, Lumo’s bright blue electric trains were first seen on the East Coast Mainline in October 2021. However, I mentioned I’d taken one of their trains the other day and was met by zero brand recognition.

For the record, Lumo run between 5 and 6 trains each way between Edinburgh and London King’s Cross. Many services call in only at Morpeth and Newcastle before running non-stop to King’s Cross. Others include an extra stop at Stevenage, aspiring to target those heading for Luton Airport – it’s about an hour away by bus, so not sure how that’s going.

Lumo is owned by Aberdeen-based First Group who count six other rail operators in their portfolio, including Great Western Railway, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, Hull Trains, South Western Railways and First Tram Operations.

Lumo offer a single class service, and were marketed as a ‘low-cost’ alternative to often eye-watering LNER fares. Now Lumo’s sub-£20 tickets from Newcastle to King’s Cross are a fading memory. However, casual analysis suggests that seats can still be had for £27.90 (though more usually nearer £43) and Lumo is still generally the best deal. However, for off-peak trains booked well in advance, LNER appears to have dropped fares to remain competitive, and can work out even cheaper.

Lumo’s trains are 100% electric, which fits its own ethos and wider prevailing environmental goals. However, re-routing onto unelectrified lines in the event of infrastructure failure is therefore impossible. This has the potential to be problematic but so far I’ve not been subject to such related delays.

What’s Lumo like onboard? Not bad at all. Each time I’ve travelled, trains have left and arrived on time. As you’d expect, carriages are new, with a mix of airline-style seats with extendable tray tables and a few table facing seats – though not nearly as many as LNER. There are charging points, the usual fickle WiFi, and selection of films to stream via the LumoGo app.

In an airline-style seat it is just about possible to work on a laptop, as long as your neighbour is absent or a person of diminutive stature. If it’s two big blokes – me being one of them – things can become territorial.

Catering sees no buffet but there is an at-seat trolley service and passengers are encouraged to order in advance via the Lumo app. The selection has no surprises but does the job. Beer and white wine is generally served chilled – a bridge too far on many LNER trains.

Limited luggage space on Lumo has been cited as a problem by some, and there are indeed guidelines on the company’s website. However, in practice I’ve never observed this to cause trouble.

Overall, Lumo has become my first choice for travel between the North East and London or Edinburgh, particularly when I’m paying.

More: Lumo