Portal:Trains/Selected article/Week 2, 2010

The Class 180 is a type of British diesel multiple unit built by Alstom between 2000 and 2001 for use on then-new express services by First Great Western (FGW). They were built at Washwood Heath in Birmingham and are part of the Coradia 1000 family along with the Class 175. The first unit, 180101, was unveiled on April 18, 2000. However, following a string of problems, full main line testing did not begin until December 2000, six months after it was intended to start. FGW stopped using the class on 27 March 2009, and they are now employed by other operators. The Class 180s were given the name Adelante upon entry into service with FGW, a name devised by First Group that they retain with First Hull Trains. Grand Central renamed their units as Zephyrs leading some enthusiasts to nickname the units A to Z.