RT-OO-180-GC-103B Revolution Trains Class 180 - Grand Central

New release - pre-orders invited - expected 4th Quarter 2026. preauthkernow

The Class 175 and Class 180 are members of the Alstom Coradia family of units and share many common features and parts. The Class 180 units are a 5-car 125mph high-speed express unit and 14 sets were ordered by First Great Western and given the brand name 'Adelante'. Intended for high speed express services to South Wales and later used for fast commuter trains from Oxford, Gloucester and Exeter to London. Hull Trains later used four Class 180s and these units were transferred to East Midlands railway for use between London St Pancras, Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield. Grand Central uses 10 units for its services between London Kings Cross, Sunderland and Bradford.

27 Class 175 units, in a mix of two and three car configurations, were ordered by First North Western in 1997. They were used on services between Birmingham, Holyhead, Llandudno, Manchester and Barrow. Later they transferred to Arriva Trains Wales and were introduced on the Welsh Marches line to Cardiff, reaching Fishguard and the Pembroke Coast. From 2018 to 2023 they have been in the service of Transport for Wales and were seen from SW Wales and Holyhead across to Stockport, Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham International. From late 2025 they have started appearing in Devon and Cornwall as replacements for the Class 43 Castle sets.

The Model

Features:

• highly detailed diesel multiple unit
• working, directional lights
• user switchable lighting functions
• low profile drive unit
• kinematic close coupling with electrical connections between cars
• detailed interior
• DCC decoder socket (21 pin MTC) - one decoder needed per unit
• Fine wheelsets to NMRA RP25 standards
• Designed for Peco radius 2 curves