British Rail Class 180

British Rail Class 180
Adelante
Grand Central Class 180 approaching London King's Cross in 2012
Original standard class interior
In serviceDecember 2001 – present
ManufacturerAlstom
Built atWashwood Heath
Family nameAlstom Coradia 1000
Replaced
Constructed2000–2001
Number built14 sets
Number in service10 sets
Successor
Formation5 cars per set: DMSL(A)-MFL-MSL-MSLRB-DMSL(B) [1]
Fleet numbers180101–180114
Capacity287 seats
OwnersAngel Trains
OperatorsGrand Central
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel[2]
Train length116.52 m (382 ft 3+38 in)
Car length23.71 or 23.03 m (77 ft 9+12 in or 75 ft 6+34 in)
Width2.73 m (8 ft 11+12 in)
DoorsTEBL electric single-leaf swing plug, two per side at the ends of each carriage
Maximum speed125 mph (200 km/h)
Weight252.5 tonnes (248.5 long tons; 278.3 short tons) (5-car set)[3] Axle load weight 13.25 tonnes
Prime mover(s)Cummins QSK19-R[3] (one per car)
Engine typeInline-6 turbo-diesel[4]
Displacement19 L (1,159 cu in) per engine[4]
Power output559 kW (750 hp) per engine at 2,100 rpm[5]
TransmissionVoith T312bre hydrokinetic[5] (one per car)
UIC classification2′B′+B′2′+B′2′+B′2′+B′2′
BogiesAlstom MB2
Braking system(s)Disc/Hydrodynamic[6] (Hydrodynamic brake unused in order to prevent the engines from overheating.[6])
Safety system(s)AWS
TPWS
ATP
ETCS(ETCS fitted but it won't be used until ETCS is installed on the East Coast Main line)[6]
Coupling systemScharfenberg Type 330[7]
Multiple workingWithin type and Class 175[3]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 180 is a class of 14 diesel-hydraulic multiple unit passenger trains manufactured by Alstom at its Washwood Heath factory in 2000–01 for First Great Western (FGW). They are part of the Coradia 1000 family, along with the Class 175.

All Class 180s are owned by Angel Trains. Operations of the fleet commenced with FGW during December 2001, being tasked with express commuter services that used its 125 mph (200 km/h) capability. However, the type suffered frequent service disruptions due to recurring technical problems, particularly in regards to its hydraulic transmission system. FGW ultimately decided to return all of its Class 180s to the lessor in favour of refurbished InterCity 125 sets; the last train leaving its service in 2009. The Class 180s were held in storage for a time before new operators were secured.

During 2008, Hull Trains replaced its Class 222 fleet with several of the Class 180 sets; it operated the type through to 2020 until its replacement by Class 802 sets. Starting in 2009, Grand Central also leased several Class 180s; it operated the type exclusively until November 2023 when it introduced Class 221s onto some services.[8] Five Class 180 sets also returned to service with FGW; the operator's first refurbished unit was introduced on 28 May 2012. These five sets have since been transferred to Grand Central.

The four units formerly used by Hull Trains were transferred to East Midlands Railway, the first entering service in January 2020; these four units were withdrawn by East Midlands Railway in May 2023. Several proposed operators, such as First Harrogate Trains and Platinum Trains, also envisioned operating Class 180s; however, their track access applications were rejected by the Office of Road and Rail (ORR).

  1. ^ "Class 180 - Angel Trains". Angel Trains. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  2. ^ R. N Pritchard; Peter Fox (2009). Diesel Multiple Units 2010. Sheffield: Platform 5. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-902336-75-6. OCLC 614300319. Wikidata Q112224328.
  3. ^ a b c "Class 180". The Railway Centre. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b Every Track – QSK19 for Rail Applications (PDF) (09/08 ed.). Daventry: Cummins Ltd. Bulletin 4087201. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  5. ^ a b References: High-Speed Trains and Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) (PDF). Heidenheim: Voith Turbo. May 2008. pp. 22–23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Walmsley, Ian (April 2023). "Treble Tops". Pan Up. Modern Railways. No. 895. pp. 42–46.
  7. ^ System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 (PDF). London: Rail Safety and Standards Board. 22 June 2011. p. 4. SD001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Grand Central introduces Voyager trains on Bradford - London route". RailAdvent. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.