I had my first Lumo trip. yesterday(Weds 3rd November) on the 10.45 Kings Cross-Edinburgh and 16.12 Edinburgh-Kings Cross, Arrived Kings Cross in good time, and saw 10.45 Kings Cross-Edinburgh, Lumo service, already on departure boards, showing fully reserved, even on mid week, in November, which bodes well for their future, was bit chaotic boarding, as last minute platform change, for empty stock from Ferne Park, reception sidings, from plat 0, to plat 5, i headed straight for coach E, which mainly un reserved, as my booked seat wasn’t very good, found table seat, and settled down for the journey, the train seemed about 90 per cent full.
The seats were nice and comfortable, definitely the best on an 800, with nice high backs and good head rest, we left bang on time, but as i expected, following the 10.42 Kings Cross-Kings Lynn, we had some signal stops and On and off running, out to Hitchin, then we got going, and had good run out to Doncaster, where signal checked, then we ran ok to York, where we went through York and not avoider, and through Darlington rather than through lines, then onto Newcastle, arriving 2 mins late, so not too bad at all, then onto Edinburgh, arriving just over minute early.
I dint notice much on the latter part of journey, on way up, as got chatting to some people, about climate change and other stuff, as some were going to the COP26 meeting, and had chosen Lumo, as it was cheapest way to get there, and low Carbon etc, it was interesting chat about climate change etc, and soon passed good hour away just chatting, once train arrived Edinburgh, I just hung around, waiting for the 16.12 service back to London.
As seat coming back wasn’t very good either, I opted for coach E again, but id pre ordered food, with Lumo Eats, to my original seat in coach D, so i asked a member of the train staff, who turned out to be doing my order, asked my name, and straight away knew my order, and said no problem, he would come find me in coach E, and soon after departure, turned up with the food, all done enthusiastically and with smile, so a great service, which was really nice touch, and great Kudos to Lumo, and the man who helped me.
I boarded the train and this time, grabbed a couple airline seats, as wanted try them out too, with the nice little reading light, in seat back, we departed. On time and ran a few mins late into Newcastle, we had an XC Voyager to Bristol, just in front of us, we then departed Newcastle a few mins down again, with various signal checks, towards Darlington,where we used through lines, this tme, then ran with more signal checks, onto towards York, then passed through York again, then once through York we had good run to Peterborough and then a signal stop before Stevenage, where arrived 3 mins late, then onto Kings cross, arrived minute early.
The ride was pretty good through out, though did notice slight vibrations at times, but was in Pantograph coach, so maybe something to do with it? Overall i found the 803’s, to be a nice train to travel on , with comfy seats, and pleasant to travel on, wether as good as the stadler flirts, I’m not sure yet, the staff were friendly and gave good service, so I would recommend Lumo to anyone, as its a really good service, and great fares, I am impressed with them so far, and will definitely travel with Lumo again, and possibly quite frequently.