Revolution Trains have debuted new decoration samples for their forthcoming N Gauge Class 175 Coradia and Class 180 Adelante multiple units. The new Class 180 samples received include EMR, First Great Western 'Barbie' and the Northern version of the same livery. These add to the Grand Central livery previously shown. For the Class 175, First North Western and Transport for Wales schemes have now been shown.
The samples allow Revolution Trains to check colours and the details of the liveries against the artwork, and allow for any changes to be made prior to the models entering production. Revolution have identified some corrections required from these deco samples, such as the colour of the blue window band on the EMR livery which is too light and will be darkened slightly. Although these samples are not reflective of the final fit and finish of the production models, we still think they are looking fantastic!
Class 175 'Coradia'
First North Western
Ordered by First for use on the North Western franchise, the class was first deployed on routes serving Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Manchester to Llandudno, Holyhead, Barrow and Windermere. The class replaced loco hauled services and the last remaining Class 101s on the North Wales line.
Transport for Wales
In December 2003 the entire Class 175 fleet and the Wales & Borders franchise was transferred to new operator Arriva Trains Wales. The class saw it's area of operations expand into South Wales via the Welsh Marches Line and serving destinations such as Cardiff, Swansea, Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and Milford Haven. In October 2018, the fleet passed with the franchise to Transport for Wales Rail Services and has since been repainted in the grey & red livery of the new operator.
Class 180 'Adelante'
East Midlands Railway
EMR leased the four former Hull Trains Class 180s in December 2020 to replace the ex Grand Central HSTs then in use. Dogged by reliability issues and corrosion, which saw once set reduced to 4 coaches, they were withdrawn from service earlier than planned in May 2023.
Northern Rail
Between December 2008 & December 2011 Northern Rail leased 3 Class 180s for use on their Blackpool North to Manchester Victoria and Hazel Grove Services.
First Great Western
The originating operator for the Class 180, they were ordered by Great Western in 1997 in order to meet a franchise requirement to increase the service frequency of London Padding to Cardiff services to half-hourly.
Due to reliability issues and increasing passenger numbers, the GWR fleet was slowly replaced by refurbished HST sets until the final three sets in service were returned to owners Angel Trains in March 2009.
All versions of the Class 175 and Class 180 are still available to pre-order direct from Revolution Trains, however it is expected the order book for the N Gauge models will close in approximately two months, with production starting immediately after.
Out thanks to Revolution Trains for allowing NGN to photograph the latest samples.