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 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 presently operates the type exclusively as of August 2022. 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; they are to be replaced by Class 810s by the mid-2020s. 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 Department for Transport. Background As a part of its agreement to operate the Greater Western franchise, First Great Western (FGW) was required to increase the frequency of its express service from London Paddington to Cardiff to half-hourly. In order to do this, the operator required additional rolling stock suitable for high-speed long distance services. In October 1997, FGW ordered fourteen five-carriage Alstom Coradia diesel multiple-units (DMU) from Alstom; these were broadly similar to the Class 175s that were then under construction for sister company First North Western, the most noticeable difference being the ability to reach speeds of up to . On 18 April 2000, the first unit was publicly unveiled. Due to late-stage difficulties encountered, the commencement of full main-line testing was postponed until December 2000. Despite this