A new rail base in Preston will bring skilled jobs, apprenticeships and improved connections to London and Scotland as open access rail service Lumo prepares to launch its first West Coast Main Line service in 2026.
Preston is set to play a central role in one of the biggest rail developments in the North West for years, as open access operator Lumo prepares to launch a new direct service linking Stirling and London via the city.
Ahead of the first trains running this Spring, open access operator Lumo, which is part of FirstGroup, is opening a new operational base in Preston that will support the service and create new skilled jobs in the area. The new route will strengthen Preston’s position as one of the North West’s most important rail hubs while improving connections to Scotland and the capital for businesses and residents across Lancashire.
Around 94 roles have been created across the West Coast operation, including drivers, instructors and onboard customer experience colleagues, with Preston at the heart of the new operations.
For Max Joicey, incoming General Manager for the West Coast operations, the Preston base represents a major step forward for the business.
“The opening of a Preston operational base for the new Stirling–London service represents Lumo’s expansion into the West Coast Main Line and the launch of a brand-new Stirling–London service,” says Max. “For me, this is about growth with purpose – increasing capacity and connectivity to communities currently underserved by direct long-distance links, whilst offering passengers a high-quality, affordable alternative on one of the UK’s most important rail corridors.”
Preston at the centre
Preston’s position on the West Coast Main Line made it a natural choice for the new base. The city’s transport heritage and strong workforce were equally important factors too.
“Preston is a strategic location on the West Coast Main Line, which makes it the ideal operational hub for the new route,” says Max. “It allows us to efficiently manage crew, support service reliability, and anchor our operation in the North West. Just as importantly, Preston is a city with a strong transport heritage and a skilled workforce making it the right place to build and grow a new team.”
For businesses across Lancashire, the service will bring improved connectivity and greater flexibility when travelling north and south.
“For passengers across Lancashire and the wider North West, this new service means greater choice and improved connectivity,” she says. “More services mean more flexibility for business travel, leisure journeys and family connections, while also encouraging a shift from car or air travel to rail, supporting more sustainable long-distance travel.
“Overall, the route helps place Lancashire and the wider North West and enhances economic links between northern England, Scotland and the capital.”
Creating new rail careers
Alongside improved transport links, the new Preston base is creating new opportunities for people to enter the rail industry.
Recruitment began with 16 apprentice customer drivers, who are currently working towards Level 3 Train Driver apprenticeships through specialist training provider Train’dUp. These apprentices will be based across Stirling, Preston and London Euston and have all brought fresh people into an industry often known for being a bit of a closed shop.
The company has also recruited four Customer Driver Instructors and six qualified Customer Drivers, with further recruitment ongoing. Plus, around 50 Customer Experience Ambassadors are currently being recruited across the route, with Preston hosting one of the main assessment centres.
Many of the roles are open to people without previous rail experience, with new recruits undertaking Level 3 Passenger Transport Operative apprenticeships.
“The new operation is also creating tangible opportunities locally,” says Max. “We are recruiting drivers, onboard colleagues, customer experience managers and support roles, alongside investing in apprenticeships and structured training.
“This is about building long-term rail careers in the region and developing skills that will serve the industry for years to come. This local jobs impact reinforces Preston’s role not just as an operational hub, but as a centre for career development in the rail sector.”
A different way of working
The Preston office will also reflect Lumo’s approach to workplace culture, which places a strong emphasis on collaboration and inclusion.
Rather than traditional railway crew depots with separate facilities, the Preston office will bring operational colleagues together in a shared working environment designed to encourage collaboration.
“We don’t operate the traditional ‘mess rooms’ that you see with other rail operators,” says Lindsay Gauntlett, Head of People & Culture at Lumo. “We encourage all colleagues to come into the head office to allow for collaboration and endorse the culture we have created for a new way of working.”
Apprenticeships and training have been central to Lumo’s growth since the company launched services on the East Coast Main Line in 2021. As recently as last year, 95% of the company’s operational workforce had come through its apprentice programme, and Lumo has been recognised for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
For Max, the people joining the new operation are one of its greatest strengths.
“What stands out most to me about the people joining us is their enthusiasm. Many are excited to be part of something new and to help shape the culture from day one,” she says.
“They have a strong customer-service ethos and there is a definite passion for transforming the rail travel experience.”
“At Lumo, we talk about doing rail differently. In Preston, that will mean a strong customer focus, a modern and inclusive workplace culture, local recruitment, apprenticeships and community engagement. Lumo will offer simplified and competitive fares, and a commitment to reliability and sustainability. We want this base not just to operate trains, but to reflect a fresh approach to rail travel.”
The people behind the service
Max brings a broad transport background to the role, having spent nearly three decades in aviation before moving into rail operations 11 years ago.
“Having begun my career in aviation for about 28 years, I progressed through a variety of roles within the airline industry before transitioning to rail operations 11 years ago,” she says.
“I have since worked for both a Train Operating Company and Network Rail, leading customer service teams across on-board and station environments.”
The opportunity to help launch a new service was a major attraction for her. “I have a collaborative leadership style, which aligns perfectly with the Lumo culture,” she says.
“I was attracted to the role as it requires strategic thinking, and the ability to deliver results in complex, fast-paced environments. It gives me the opportunity to shape operational delivery, and contribute to a service that enhances customers’ experiences.”
Looking ahead, she sees success as being measured not just by passenger numbers, but by the team being built, especially in Preston.
“What excites me most about the launch of the new Lumo Stirling–Euston service is its impact on connectivity and affordability. The route will introduce first-ever direct London links for some communities, opening up new travel choices and opportunities,” she says.
“I am excited to join a start-up train service because it aligns with my passion for driving innovation, and fostering a culture of safety and excellence from our new team all working together and supporting each other.”
“Looking ahead, success in the first year would be reflected in strong passenger uptake, clear economic benefits for the communities we serve, and positive progress toward Lumo’s wider ambitions for sustainable, affordable long-distance rail,” says Max.
“Our people are one of our differentiators and if we build an inclusive team that care about each other and our customer, it would mark a commercially successful and a culturally important first year.”
The new Preston base is due to open on March 20 and services on the Stirling-London route are due to launch this spring with tickets going on sale imminently.
