British Rail Class 180

Background

First Great Western ordered fourteen five-carriage Alstom Coradia diesel multiple-units in October 1997 to increase London Paddington–Cardiff express service frequency to half-hourly. The units were broadly similar to the Class 175 but capable of 125 mph.

The first unit was unveiled on 18 April 2000, but full main-line testing was postponed until December 2000. Despite a six-month delay, Alstom claimed the trains would enter service by May 2001; the first entered regular service in December 2001. FGW introduced Class 47-hauled Mark 2 sets in May 2001 to release InterCity 125 sets for the additional Cardiff services.

Description

All coaches use a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine developing 560 kW at 2,100 rpm. One bogie per coach is powered, with both axles driven. The units have Scharfenberg couplers.

Operations

Grand Central initially planned to operate a pair of Class 180s on its London King's Cross to Sunderland service, having secured a fourth daily service in each direction. A pair entered service with the company in early 2009 alongside its three High Speed Trains. Grand Central initially called the fleet Zephyr but later re-introduced the Adelante name. Maintenance is at Crofton TMD.

In 2010, Grand Central leased three additional units for new services to Bradford, originally intended as Grand Northern but operated as Grand Central. Before service, Railcare modified the fleet with Wi-Fi and at-seat sockets. Unit 180112 was named James Herriot in August 2011; other units received names such as Hart of the North, The Yorkshire Artist, and William Shakespeare. From July 2016, Arriva Rail North operated a peak morning working between Halifax and Leeds via Bradford using a Class 180 subleased from Grand Central.

In 2017, Grand Central received the remaining five Class 180s previously operated by First Great Western, allowing replacement of its HST fleet and service expansion. A refurbishment programme for all ten Grand Central sets began in 2018 at Arriva TrainCare, Eastleigh.