As our second proposed open access route in the UK, we are planning to introduce a new service between Stirling and London along the West Coast Main Line during 2025.
This service will transform the connectivity of a whole range of significant and rapidly changing Scottish towns along the Scottish Central corridor.
The Route
This route is planned to start in 2025 and will operate four times per day. Starting at Stirling it will call at Larbert, Greenfaulds (for Cumbernauld), Whifflet (for Coatbridge and Airdrie), Motherwell and Lockerbie in Scotland and in England at Carlisle, Preston, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes, before terminating at London Euston.
The line will avoid the congested Edinburgh and Glasgow stations, giving passengers a faster service without any changes required. Electric or dual mode trains are planned in the longer term, but with current power supply being an issue on the WCML, the service is planned to start using off-lease Class 22x trains, which have a potential top speed of 125mph.
Working Local
We have had discussions with Transport Scotland, local authorities along the route and ScotRail to discuss how we can invest in station upgrades at Larbert, Greenfaulds, Whifflet and Lockerbie to improve passenger and staff facilities.
This new operation will be based in Scotland where the trains may be maintained, with an additional base at Preston or Crewe to operate the southern end of the route. The new operation is expected to create approximately 100 new and permanent full-time roles.
All aboard for a relaxing experience
We will provide the very best on-board experience – where we value every single customer, provide free wi-fi for everyone and a good choice of catering and refreshments regardless of your ticket price.
Our comfortable trains will provide more space and leg-room for passengers compared to other train providers, with good space for passenger luggage.
All our journeys will have a full complement of safety-trained staff onboard, so passengers can be confident their service is as safe as possible.
Our Seat Guarantee
Passengers rightly expect to receive a seat – and a seat will be part of the ticket price for all journeys over 30 minutes. If we cannot provide a seat on a particular journey, we will refund a standing passenger 50% of their ticket price for that journey, or if they buy a ticket onboard, discount their ticket at the time of purchase.
As well as selling advance tickets, passengers will also be able to buy tickets on the train at a fair price. Passengers will also be able to use railcards for on-train ticket purchase.