Northern Rail leased three Class 180 units (103, 106 and 108) with the sets entering service in December 2008 operating from and to and , until the end of 2012. These were sub-leased by East Coast until it could obtain more long-term rolling stock. The three were to have transferred to East Coast after the 18-month contract finished in November 2010. However East Coast changed its plans and no longer required them, so they remained with Northern Rail until December 2011 when Northern Rail took delivery of ex London Midland Class 150s. The last Class 180 unit was withdrawn on 2 December 2011. After being refurbished, all three returned to service with First Great Western.