Open access operator Lumo, which is owned by FirstGroup and runs between Edinburgh and London, said the number of people travelling by rail on the route has increased to 57 per cent of the rail-air market, compared with 35 per cent before the Covid pandemic. Lumo started running on 25 October 2021 and introduced its full timetable in April. The operator also said it is looking forward to welcoming its millionth passenger in November.
First Class 387 electric unit to get ETCS
Govia Thameslink Railway has sent a Class 387 Electrostar unit from London to Worksop, so that it can be fitted with in-cab signalling by Alstom. The work marks the begnning of the conversion of the fleet for operation on the southern section of the East Coast Main Line, which is to be converted to ETCS. It will also lay the foundations for a similar upgrade of the wider Electrostar fleets. The train will be tested at Litchurch Lane in Derby before it is moved to Network Rail’s RIDC Melton test track, where it will be able to run at the 387s’ maximum speed of 110mph (177km/h).