"Developed and prototyped without Automatic Train Protection, the 180s were held back while the safety system's fitting was organised, and other safety considerations were dealt with."
If you thought the Virgin Voyager was the first true 125mph DMU to hit UK rails... Well, as regards actual service, you'd be right. But if you count testing, the Voyager was beaten to it by Alstom's Class 180 unit, which began its long regime of trials at Old Dalby in April 2000.
Whilst the Voyager drifted into service with Virgin bang on time in May 2001, the 180 suffered heavy delays and did not in the end begin service with First Great Western until the end of 2001. Even then, only one unit was available, and the second did not enter traffic until March 2002. By which time the Voyager had stolen all the glory.