Train-maker Alstom signs £50m maintenance deal

Derby train-maker Alstom has signed a £50 million contract to refresh and maintain a fleet of trains, which will operate between London and Scotland.

The deal with FirstGroup and Eversholt Rail, which involves five Class 222 Meridian trains previously operated by East Midlands Railway, comes ahead of open access passenger services being launched between Stirling and London under FirstGroup’s Lumo brand.

The contract includes a Train Services Agreement with FirstGroup – valued at approximately £40 million – to be delivered at Alstom’s Central Rivers facility in Burton.

From here, Alstom will maintain, overhaul, service and clean the five trains over the next five years.

The deal also includes a fleet modernisation programme with Eversholt Rail – worth around £10 million – which will be carried out at Alstom’s Widnes site.

Peter Broadley, commercial director UK and Ireland at Alstom, which has its train-making facility at Litchurch Lane Works, in Derby, said: “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.”

Built by Alstom, the five Meridian units are scheduled to re-enter service with Lumo next year, serving passengers between central and southern Scotland and London Euston.

Graham Sutherland, chief executive officer at FirstGroup, said: “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.”