Category Archives: Alstom

Rolling blog. Derby developments…

19 Thursday Sep 2024

Posted by in Alstom, Derbyshire, Photography, Railways, Travel

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08:45

I’m heading East then South for a change. Right now I’m preparing to head out and catch a train to Leeds before heading down to Derby for a media event at Alstom’s Derby works. I’ll talk more about that later. it should certainly be an interesting day. But first I’ve got to get there. Let’s see how that goes…

09:55.

Having walked to Halifax on a gloomy and rather chilly morning I’m aboard my first train of the day, Northern’s 09:54 to York. As usual, it’s a well-used train.

11:15.

Well, this is ‘fun’. I’m on Cross-Country’s 11:11 to Plymouth, which is a single 4-car Voyager, and it’s absolutely packed! I’m stood in the leading car along with five others and another six in the vestibule by the disabled toilet.

The reality of Cross-Country rail travel in 2024. This is as good as it gets for the forseeable future now that HS2 to Leeds has been cancelled.

So much for being able to do some work on the train…

16:55.

I’m back! Sorry for the delay but it’s been a busy day as I ended up getting roped into a few things. I’m quickly adding a few pictures now using non-train wifi. I’ll add details from the train on the way home. So, here’s ‘Dreamsuite’.

I don’t have the opportunity to write about this fully as I’m aboard a train on the way home, so here’s details lifted straight from their press release.

“Future Travel Studio proudly announces the launch of DreamSuite™, an innovative seating solution inspired by the luxury of aviation flatbeds, now adapted for train travel. This revolutionary product is designed to offer an affordable yet comfortable solution for sleeper and long-distance rail passengers. It has been unveiled today at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works, the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets.

Backed by Innovate UK’s First of a Kind (FOAK) 2023 funding, DreamSuite™ has been developed with sustainability in mind, aligning with the rail industry’s push toward greener, more environmentally friendly transport solutions.

As the demand for sleeper trains continues to rise across the UK and Europe, DreamSuite™ provides a response that not only enhances comfort but also encourages a shift toward eco-conscious travel, helping the rail industry meet its climate and sustainability goals.

One of the key challenges in developing sleeper trains is the lengthy and complex process, which requires specialised rolling stock and is typically limited to night-time services. DreamSuite™ overcomes this by introducing aviation-style flatbed seating, allowing operators to use existing rolling stock and provide more operational flexibility. This not only reduces operational costs but also opens up new possibilities for daytime services, without compromising on passenger comfort.

By delivering an experience that rivals traditional sleeper trains, DreamSuite™ ensures that passengers can enjoy premium comfort without feeling like the quality has been compromised”. It’s certainly an interesting idea and the people behind it have the experience to deliver it.

Speakers at the event included Jeremy Hotchkiss from the DfT.

Afterwards, a trio of us were given a private tour of the works. Here’s a Greater Anglia Class 730 which is in for modification work.

Behind all the HVAC systems I spy something built for services out of Euston.
The 2nd built class 701 is kept at Derby. It’s used as test-bed for various modifications like software updates. When the programme is completed it’ll be put back through the works for all the modifications to be applied before it gets to enter service. I was given the opportunity to drive it.

Having been roped in to supplying pictures I ended up staying longer in Derby than expected. Purely by chance I ended up being there in time to take part in Alistair Morley’s leaving do. Alistair, who worked for EMT and EMR has been a stalwart of the community rail movement for over 20 years.

What could be more appropriate than posing the group with Alistair (far right) under an old station sign from one of the routes he looked after for so many years?

23:00.

Right, goodnight folks. I’m now back at home but It’s another early start tomorrow as I’m working in Coventry. Expect another (hopefully less busy) rolling blog then.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Alstom’s Class 180 ‘Coradia’ fleet. 180101-114.

02 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Alstom, Class 180, Photography, Railways

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This blog illustrates the history (from 2003 until the present day) of the 14 strong fleet which has had a varied if chequered history which is a pity as from a passenger perspective at least they’re good trains. I’ve been using them on a regular basis, especially since 2010 when Grand Central introduced their ‘West Riding’ service from Bradford and Halifax to London Kings Cross using the fleet.

The Class 180s were originally ordered by First Great Western back in 1999. They wanted extra trains to complement their high-speed HST fleets to run new services to Cardiff. Alstom won the tender, offering a 125mph, five car diesel version of their ‘Coradia‘ platform which has been supplied to many countries since.

The 180s and their cousins the Class 175s were some of the first new train orders placed since rail privatisation, which had led to a 1064 day drought in UK rail orders. This presented problems as the Washwood Heath factory had been run down and staff let go, so gearing up to a sudden glut in orders meant recruiting a new workforce. This led to build quality issues with the Alstom fleets which dog them to this day.

The first Class 180s was unveiled to the press in April 2000, before beginning the test programme. The sets were meant to be introduced into traffic by the May 2001 timetable change but a variety of problems meant it wasn’t until the December timetable that they first entered service. I remember attending one of the early unveilings where staff were seen trying to lever the nose-end coupling cover open with a plank of wood, which didn’t bode well!

The technical issues and reliability problems with the fleet has been a real shame as – from a passengers perspective – they’re a good train. Despite having an engine under each car the ambience in the saloons is very good. They’re spacious and airy, both in first class and standard. The buffet counter fitted to one vehicle also adds to the feeling of being on a proper inter-city train.

Due to the repeated problems with the fleet FGW decided to dispense with their services and replace the 180s with HST sets cascaded from Midland Main Line who’d replaced them with Class 222s. The 180s began to return to their owners (Angel Trains) from 2007 until the last one was relinquished in March 2009, which led to the next chapters in their careers. The fleet has moved from pillar to post since FGW decided to let them go. Three sets went on short-term lease to Northern trains between December 2009 and December 2011 before returning to FGW.

Hull Trains first used a couple of sets as maintenance cover in 2008 before replacing their whole fleet of class 222/1s with 180s in 2009. These four sets lasted in service until 2020 when they were replaced by new-build Hitachi Class 802. The surplus 180s then went to East Midlands Railway in 2020 but only lasted until May 2023 when they were surplus once more.

Grand Central first took on a pair of the units in 2009, then increased this to five sets in 2010 when they started running their ‘West Riding’ service from Bradford to Kings Cross. In 2017 GC took on another five 180s in order to increase services and dispense with their HSTs. This left them with a homogenous fleet.

Sadly, decreasing reliability of the 180s has caused problems for GC leading to two former Hull Trains and later EMT sets (180110 and 111) being added to the fleet, as well as a pair of former Avanti West Coast Class 221s.

The future of the 180s looks uncertain. They continue to be dogged with mechanical problems leading to GC cancelling services. Soon more Avanti class 221s will become surplus to requirements. Could this spell the end of the Adelante’s?

Here’s a pictorial overview of the entire fleet.

Here’s 180101 in original condition on the 9th January 2001 during testing of the fleet before it entered public service in December of that year. It’s pictured at Reading on its way back to Old Oak Common.
180101 seen in Sonning cutting en-route to London Paddington on the 8th August 2006. To say this view’s changed would be an understatement! Gone are the 180s and the HSTs. Now this is an electrified railway.
On the 31st July 2020, 180102 forms a service from Hebden Bridge to Leeds whilst on-hire to Northern Rail to cover for a stock shortage. This was during the first Covid 19 lockdown so the train was hardly well used.
180103 still wearing First Great Western ‘dynamic lines’ livery stand at Halifax after arriving from London not long after the set had been transferred to Grand Central. 8th January 2018.
180104 passes through Slough at speed whilst still working for First Great Western. 2nd April 2014. Like most locations on the GWML this one’s changed out of all recognition.
180105 prepares to call at Pontefract Monkhill on the 20th April 2011 whilst working an afternoon Grand Central service from Kings Cross to Bradford Interchange. Since this picture was taken the track layout has been rationalised with sidings either side of the line stripped out.
180106 sporting a variation of Northern livery and branding on the 18th November 2010. It’s pictured passing Kirkham and Wesham whilst working a Manchester Victoria – Blackpool North service. This is yet another line that’s changed completely since the picture was taken as the Blackpool route is now electrified. Note that this unit still has its coupling cover door in place.
Here’s 180106 again in the early days of service with First Great Western when the troublesome retracting coupling covers were still in use. It’s pictured at Paddington with a Cardiff service on the 13th May 2003. To the left is Virgin Cross-Country’s 221107 which is working the 07:00 to Manchester Piccadilly.
180107 trundles into Halifax with 1A67, the 1537 from Bradford Interchange to London Kings Cross. 29th July 2013. No, this wasn’t taken with a drone. It’s the view from Beacon Hill!
180108 speeds through Slough on the Great Western Main with a service from Paddington. 2nd April 2014.
The Class 180s tenure with East Midlands Railway has been brief. The units have been handed back early and sent into store. Here’s 180109 calling at Luton on the 15th May 2021. This particular set is now stored at Ely.
The 180s have always suffered from reliability problems. Here’s Hull Trains 180110 which was being terminated at Stevenage on its inbound run to Kings Cross due to a fault with the train. The date’s the 5th August 2019.
On the 12th August 2016 180111 leads a sister unit into Selby station en-route from Hull to Kings Cross. 10 car formations were rare but I can’t remember why they were running at this time.
The cabs of 180112 and 180103 show off the lines of the original FGW livery at Paddington on the 22nd February 2004.
Vehicle 59912 from set 180112 has been converted to run on dual-fuel (diesel or LNG). To distinguish it from the normal Grand Central fleet it’s had its orange stripe converted to green. The set was named ‘James Herriott’ at Kings Cross in August 2011. The eagle-eyed will not that the nose-end door is carrying the number 180109, which suggests it’s been pinched off that set as a replacement.
Hull Trains set 180113 speeds North through Harringay, en-route to Hull on the 11th November 2009. The Conductor is busy in the back cab making a PA announcement!
Last of the class. Grand Central’s 180114 is seen in between duties at London Kings Cross on the 11th July 2010. This set is still using the sliding coupling cover which have all been dispensed with as they were just another bit of kit to fail.
Mix and match! 180110, wearing EMT livery but carrying Grand Central branding leaves York whilst working 1N95, the 14:27 London Kings Cross to Sunderland. Seen on the 12th September 2023.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312