Chris Ward
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After several weeks of trials at the Old Dalby test track the first class 180 unit was delivered to First Great Western's Oak Oak Common Depot, west London during 2000. The units were built by Alstom at their Birmingham factory and consisted of 5 cars each with an underslung 750HP Cummins engine with Voith hydraulic gearbox and final drives. The gearbox also incorporates an hydraulic retarder to assist with braking. The first trials commenced in December 2000 and continued into 2001 on the GW main line between OOC and Bristol Parkway via the Badminton route. The introduction of the units was severely delayed but all are eventually entered service on the GW main line. However, after recurring technical problems with the trains, FGW handed all the units back to leasing company Angel Trains in 2008/09. After a period in store, they were leased to Hull Trains and Grand Central, while the remainder returned to service with FGW. The latter have since moved to Grand Central. |
Here are a selection of photos of the class 180 units in action.
Click on the picture for a bigger image - all photos are the author's unless otherwise credited
On test
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The first of five cars comprising the first class 180 unit (180101) arrives by road at BR's Old Dalby test track in May 2000 where initial evaluation and commissioning was undertaken |
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180101 passes Old Dalby on a northbound test run in May 2000 |
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In the early summer of 2000 the unit awaits a path from Old Dalby to Old Oak Common. It was parked out of the way at the former Asfordby mine complex due to impending upgrade of the test track |
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In December 2000 in the middle road at South Ruislip on the former GW/GC Joint Line the unit awaits a return path to Old Oak Common during its early shakedown runs |
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The unit pictured inside the servicing shed at Old Oak Common depot |
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On a splendid January day in 2001, 180101 sits inside the yard at Southall having just arrived from Reading on a driver training run |
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By February the unit was under test and is pictured in Stoke Gifford yard next to Bristol Parkway station ready for a run back to Swindon |
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At the heart of the GWR! 180101 pauses at platform 3 at Swindon en route for Bristol Parkway in April 2001 |
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And in the London terminus of the old GWR - platform 1 at Paddington |
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180101 sits in the Up Goods Loop at Bristol Parkway in April 2001 |
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Another stop at Southall Yard with a FGW-liveried HST passing on a Down service
Chris Ward |
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In May 2001 the unit is captured on the Up road passing the 100MP - at the former Badminton station |
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On a rainy day at Swindon 180102 is pictured from the cab of 180101 during joint testing. |
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50 miles from Paddington 180102 approaches 180101 at speed near Didcot |
with First Great Western
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180101 arriving Oxford with 16.45 Worcester service on 27th August 2005 |
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180109 leaving Westbury1 on 19th October 2006 |
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180110 leaving Reading on 4th April 2007 |
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180113 at Paddington on13th December 2007 |
...........with Hull Trains
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180 passes Alexandra Palace on 17th August 2012 |
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180110 at Kings Cross on 5th December 2018 |
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180113 at Frinkley Lane LC on 9th August 2014 |
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180111 pauses at Retford on 23rd May 2019 |
..........and with grand Central
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180112 at Kings Cross on 27th April 2015 |
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180107 passing Alexandra Palace on 17th August 2012 |
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180103 at Grantham on 31st July 2018 |
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180114 leaving Wakefield Kirkgate on 14th August 2012 |
........where next?
