Wednesday September 28th 2005 – Third Joint Press Release From
WENSLEYDALE-NORTHALLERTON RAIL LINK SUCCESS
Joint public demonstration by two transport pioneers puts action ahead of words to provide historic rail link - passengers make over 700 journeys in eight days
A new chapter was added to railway history between September 15 and September 23 when - for the first time in half a century – regular passenger rail services operated on the Leeming Bar to Northallerton section of the Wensleydale Railway (WR). Working in partnership, innovative rail vehicle supplier Parry People Movers Ltd (PPM) and the WR arranged and obtained approval for the public service in a matter of weeks.
The operation, using a PPM 50 Light Railcar on six miles of route normally only used by freight trains together with an integrated bus link, promoted two projects: the extension of WR tracks and introduction of passenger services to Northallerton main line station, and the joint development of a new type of larger environmentally-friendly non-electric light rail vehicle for community railways. The service integrated with WR trains at Leeming Bar station, providing a seamless journey for passengers continuing their journeys towards Bedale, Finghall Leyburn and Redmire. Over 700 journeys were made by fare-paying passengers during the demonstration period with many passengers using the service to get to local shops and services.
"This is a real demonstration of how things can be done," said Caspar Lucas, PPM's Projects Manager. "The railcar needed to be transported to Yorkshire, an interchange platform had to be built, staff had to be trained and the whole operation had to be approved by the Railway Inspectorate. All this and more was done in less than 50 days - and could be done again anywhere in the country. PPM and the Wensleydale Railway make things happen."
Feedback from passengers was overwhelmingly in favour of turning the temporary demonstration into a permanent link into Northallerton. There was much comment on the ride quality, which will be addressed by the new vehicle design and by improving the freight line for regular passenger services, and on the awkwardness of the bus link from the interchange point to the town centre and main line station - evidence of the need to replace the tracks which were removed decades ago.
"The response of passengers to this new service was, above all, to travel on it for journeys they would otherwise have made by road or not at all," said Ruth Annison, Chairman of Wensleydale Railway plc. "On the very first day, people were making journeys for appointments at Northallerton’s Friarage hospital and to catch trains on the East Coast main line. It was especially pleasing that throughout the demonstration people were using the rail shuttle service to go shopping and have a day out in Northallerton, thus helping the market town economy. It was inspiring to work with another innovative company on such a practical project, and also with a local bus company on providing integrated transport for the route. Members of our staff team grasped the additional training opportunity provided by the trial of the new vehicle on a new section of the railway."
The two companies have made their mark changing attitudes to the provision of public transport. The Wensleydale Railway has reopened to passenger service 17 miles of route through North Yorkshire and operates trains seven days a week, with the long-term goal of increasing the length of the line to 40 miles and linking the East Coast main line to the Settle-Carlisle route. Parry People Movers Ltd has opened a new market in affordable light rail for both rural and urban settings; PPM vehicles have transported more than 100,000 passengers at several locations in the UK.
"It has been a joy to work with the Wensleydale Railway," said John Parry, Chairman of PPM. "Our two organisations have much the same culture - we get on with the job and solve the problems. The important thing is not to call for endless reports or argue about what the perfect solution would be if only limitless funds were available, but to do everything that is possible with the money to hand. This is how we'll work together to develop the larger railcars and extend the line."
The demonstration service caught the attention of the media, with reports appearing in the regional, national and railway industry press. The operation was also featured on BBC and ITV television and both independent and BBC radio (local and national).
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
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The PPM 50 Light Railcar, numbered 999 900, was transported to the Wensleydale Railway on August 25 from the Chasewater Railway in Staffordshire. |
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Approval for the public service was received from HM Railway Inspectorate on September 9. |
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A pre-service press launch was held on Monday September 12 when the operation was demonstrated to representatives from the printed and broadcast media. |
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The arrangements for the bus link to Northallerton town centre and station were facilitated and supported by North Yorkshire County Council. The service was provided by the Dales & District bus company. |
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Pictures of the PPM 50 Light Railcar in operation on the Wensleydale Railway are available on www.freefoto.com or from Parry People Movers Ltd (see below). |
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The Wensleydale Community Railcar Syndicate will shortly be launched to raise funds for the development and construction of a larger vehicle for operation on the Wensleydale Railway. |
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Company information and contacts are as follows:
Parry People Movers Ltd, John Parry MBE, Chairman,
Overend Road, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, B64 7DD
Telephone: +44 (0)1384 569553 Fax: +44 (0)1384 637753
Email: info@parrypeoplemovers.com
Website: www.parrypeoplemovers.com
Wensleydale Railway plc, Mrs Ruth Annison, Chairman,
Leeming Bar Station, Leases Road, Leeming Bar, Northallerton,
North Yorkshire. DL7 9AR.
Telephone: 01677 425805. Fax: 01677 427029
Email: admin@wensleydalerailway.com
Website: www.wensleydalerailway.com
Ruth Annison office: 01969 667487; home: 01969 650349;
home answerphone: 01969 650187
Email: ruth@annison3.freeserve.co.uk |
Parry People Movers Ltd information
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COMPANY: Parry People Movers Ltd (PPM) was founded in 1992 to develop rail transport based on a new innovation: the flywheel energy store, which allows vehicles to run extremely efficiently and to recapture their braking energy for reuse when accelerating. The company is owned by approximately 200 shareholders and is quoted on the OFEX market.
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ADVANTAGES: PPM rail vehicles offer the quality of modern light rail transport without the need for electrical power supply, giving excellent environmental performance and energy efficiency at lower cost than conventional technology. The same technology can be used on railways or urban tramways. PPM vehicles are fully compliant with accessibility regulations.
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ACHIEVEMENTS: Twelve PPM vehicles have been built, ranging in capacity from 2 to 50 passengers. Between them they have carried over 100,000 passengers in complete safety. Previous PPM vehicles have operated in Bristol, Brighton, Barking, Swansea and Birmingham and elsewhere.
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RAILCAR HISTORY: The PPM 50 Light Railcar, numbered 999 900 has also visited the Chasewater Railway, the Great Central Railway, the Severn Valley Railway and the Stourbridge Town branch of the national network since it was built in 2001.
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NEXT STEPS: After running in Wensleydale, the railcar will return to the West Midlands for passenger service on the Stourbridge Town branch, where it will be operated by Pre Metro Operations Ltd. This operation is supported by Centro (the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive) and the Department for Transport, which has taken over responsibility for the Strategic Rail Authority's Community Rail programme.
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TECHNOLOGY: The vehicle technology used in PPM vehicles is licensed to the company by JPM Parry & Associates Ltd (www.parryassociates.com), a West Midlands engineering company specialising in overseas development, integrated transport, and energy/environmental issues.
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PHOTOGRAPHS: A wide range of pictures of PPM vehicles can be obtained from Parry People Movers Ltd (contact details below).
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FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact -
John Parry MBE, Chairman, Parry People Movers Ltd
Overend Road, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, B64 7DD
Telephone: +44 (0)1384 569553
Fax: +44 (0)1384 637753
Email: info@parrypeoplemovers.com
Website: www.parrypeoplemovers.com |
Wensleydale Railway plc information
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HISTORY: The 40 mile Wensleydale railway was built in stages during the 19th century and connected two main lines: the East Coast main line at Northallerton with the Settle-Carlisle line at Garsdale. It closed to passenger services in stages during the 20th century (1950s-60s) and is re-opening in stages in the 21st century.
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THE TRACK: When passenger services ended, 18 miles of track between Redmire and Garsdale were torn up and the land was sold to adjacent landowners. The remaining 22 miles of track remained in place between Northallerton and Redmire, carrying freight traffic (stone from Redmire quarry to the British Steel plant at Redcar) until December 18 1992.
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In 1989, reprieve of the Settle-Carlisle railway from a longstanding closure proposal provided the trigger for formation of the voluntary Wensleydale Railway Association (WRA) the following year (1990). The WRA’s aim was to bring back passenger services to the surviving 22 mile track and then to campaign for the reconstruction of the 18 mile ‘missing link’, thus restoring the full 40 mile route of the original Wensleydale railway. The main purpose was for the railway to support economic regeneration of this rural dale in an environmentally-friendly way (reasoning that had been accepted when the Settle-Carlisle line was reprieved the previous year).
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In 1995, privatisation of British Rail led the WRA to take a more active part than originally planned in ensuring the return of rail services to Wensleydale as it became “do-it yourself or do without”.
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In 2000, the WRA formed a company, Wensleydale Railway plc, which launched a share offer to raise funds for development and operation of the line; more than £1.2 million was raised.
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In 2003, the Company took a 99 year lease from Network Rail for the 22 mile track between Northallerton and Redmire and re-opened two stations. Passenger services using DMU (diesel multiple unit) trains began on July 4, 2003 between Leeming Bar and Leyburn (12 miles).
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In 2004, train services were extended by nearly five miles to Redmire and three more stations were re-opened: Bedale, Finghall and Redmire. A second share offer was launched and a Prospectus is available from the Company.
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In 2005, substantial infrastructure works allowed the raising of speed limits (now 25mph for DMU trains and 15mph for freight) and the controlled introduction of some loco-hauled diesel services (Class 31/31166 and Class 37/37003 and 37198) during August. The current daily timetable offers four return services each day to ‘clockface’ timings, namely Leeming Bar depart 10.35, 12.35, 14.35 and 16.35 and Redmire depart 11.35, 13.35. 15.35 and 17.35. (This timetable is valid until 30.10.05). Forthcoming special events are the Day Out With Thomas week-end (October 29/30) and Santa Specials (November and December).
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WRA members continue to provide substantial and varied practical support in many departments, especially promoting train services and also by providing trained volunteers who work alongside the small team of paid staff as train crew, in customer services (catering and retailing); also for track patrols, rolling stock and infrastructure work. In June 2005, the 3500 member WRA launched an appeal for ‘Financial Angels’ to support the railway and £80,000 of the appeal target of £100,000 has already been raised.
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NEXT STEPS: Track is in place between Northallerton and Leeming Bar. However the facility has not survived at Northallerton for passengers to board and alight from Wensleydale Railway trains; this has prevented WR from operating services on this section of track. The collaboration with Parry People Movers, together with demonstration of the PPM railcar to the public during September 2005, offers the chance to highlight the urgency of the situation - and the potential for its solution.
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FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact -
Mrs Ruth Annison, Chairman, Wensleydale Railway plc,
Leeming Bar Station, Leases Road, Leeming Bar, Northallerton,
North Yorkshire. DL7 9AR.
Telephone: 01677 425805. Fax: 01677 427029
Email: admin@wensleydalerailway.com
Website: www.wensleydalerailway.com
Ruth Annison office: 01969 667487; home: 01969 650349;
home answerphone: 01969 650187
Email: ruth@annison3.freeserve.co.uk |
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