Community volunteers and a former Mr Gay GB helped unveil Lumo’s new Pride train celebrating the organisations and communities championing inclusion across the country.

The redesigned Pride train gives a platform to the LGBTQ+ organisations the low-cost operator proudly supports across its route, recognising the people, partnerships and communities that make Pride possible.

The all-electric train, which operates on the East Coast Main Line between London King’s Cross, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow, now proudly features the logos of Lumo’s Pride partners; Pride Radio, OUT North East, Edinburgh Pride and Glasgow’s Pride, reflecting the operator’s commitment to supporting inclusion not only during Pride season, but throughout the year.

Richard Salkeld, Director of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, said: “We’re proud to welcome everyone onboard at Lumo.

“Each logo featured on this train represents an organisation that works incredibly hard throughout the year to champion inclusion, support LGBTQ+ communities and create places where people can feel safe to be themselves. We are pleased to help shine a light on that great work.

“At Lumo, we believe our role is about far more than connecting towns and cities. It’s about connecting people, communities and opportunities. That’s why we’re proud to place our partners’ logos alongside our own. It’s a visible reminder that when organisations work together, we can create something far greater than any of us could achieve alone.”

Earlier this year Lumo was named Best Small Employer in Scotland at the Proud Scotland awards held in Glasgow.

Lumo is currently supporting more Pride events and organisations across the country than ever before. The company’s year-round collaboration with community organisations recognises the important role they play in creating places where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to be themselves.

Peter Darrant, Chief Executive of OUT North East, said: “Our partnership with Lumo goes well beyond branding on a train. It reflects a genuine commitment to inclusion, equality and allyship, with Lumo standing alongside OUT North East and Pride Radio throughout the year.

“Seeing our logo travelling the length of the country on a Lumo train sends a powerful message to hundreds of thousands of passengers that LGBTQ+ people belong, that inclusion matters and that businesses can play an important role in supporting our communities. That’s what Pride – and true allyship – is all about.”

While the train has proudly carried Pride branding since 2023, this latest redesign places the spotlight firmly on the organisations that work tirelessly to create safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people. It is a celebration of the volunteers, organisers and communities whose work extends far beyond Pride events themselves.

Ahead of Glasgow’s Pride celebrations this coming weekend, Lumo brought together representatives from North East England and Scotland, symbolising the connections that exist between the Pride organisations across its route and celebrating the shared values that unite them.

A spokesperson for Glasgow’s Pride said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Lumo, an organisation that shares our commitment to celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion. Seeing the Glasgow’s Pride logo travelling across the UK is a powerful reminder that Pride belongs everywhere and in every community. This partnership helps amplify our message of equality and encourages people from all backgrounds to stand together in support of LGBTQIA+ people.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Pride said: “Our partnership with Lumo demonstrates how businesses can make a genuine difference by using their platform to champion inclusion. Pride is about visibility, community and belonging, and seeing our organisation represented on a train connecting communities across Britain sends a powerful message that everyone deserves to feel welcome, wherever they travel.”

The redesigned train reflects Lumo’s wider commitment to creating meaningful partnerships with the communities it serves. Alongside its Pride partnerships, the operator works with charities, cultural organisations, educational institutions and community groups across its network to celebrate local places, support social value initiatives and help make rail travel more welcoming and accessible for everyone.

Lumo colleagues will take part in more Pride events than before with activities taking place across the route this summer, standing alongside their partners in Newcastle, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow in support of inclusion, equality and communities where everyone is free to be themselves.

The rail operator recently launched services along the West Coast Main Line, directly linking Stirling with London. Lumo is proudly supporting Stirling Pride which will take place on 29 August 2026.