STOURBRIDGE OPERATION CARRIES 200,000th PASSENGER
The 200,000th passenger journey made on a Class 139 railcar, operated by Pre Metro Operations Ltd on the Stourbridge Town branch line occurred on Thursday 10th December.  Two days later, the 200,00th and 200,001st passengers to travel on the service returned to Stourbridge Town station to receive commemorative certificates from local MP Lynda Waltho, whose comments can be seen on the Political & Government Comment page.

CLASS 139 SERVICE RESUMES AT STOURBRIDGE
Lightweight rail operation restarted on the Stourbridge Town branch today.  All parties from across the rail industry are working together to produce a permanent solution to the issue of wheel wear.

SUSPENSION OF RAILCAR SERVICE
On Friday 11th September, railcar No. 139 002 was taken out of service at Stourbridge due to excessive wheel flange wear.  The other vehicle, No. 139 001, had already been confined to depot for the same reason.  A Network Rail team of wheel-rail specialists have begun investigating the cause of a sudden increase in wear rate that appears to have occurred during the month of August.  This affected the wheels on one side of both railcars and emerged after thousands of miles of operation without previous excessive wear.
Possible factors include the wheel profile, wheel metallurgy, design of suspension, or alterations that may have occurred in the operation of the rail lubrication regime using trackside equipment on a line notable for its sharp curves.
In order for the Class 139s to return to service in the next few days, two new wheels are being taken from the replacement stock and two worn wheels are being repaired.

RAILCAR No. 139 001 ENTERS PASSENGER SERVICE
The numerically-first but accepted second PPM 60 railcar No. 139 001 started its public transport career yesterday, operating the full day’s timetable on the Stourbridge Town branch.

CLASS 139 TRIALS ON YOUTUBE
Video footage of final acceptance trials for 139 001, including demonstration of the ‘rescue’ of one railcar by another, are shown on a YouTube video filmed by Ian Walmsley of Porterbrook Leasing Company

PHOTO ARCHIVE UPDATED
New pictures have been added to the Photo Archive, which now includes No. 139 002 in passenger service on the Stourbridge Town branch, the arrival of 139 001, the two Class 139s together at Stourbridge Junction and the removal of PPM 50 vehicle No. 999 900

FROM THE YOUTUBE ARCHIVE – PPM DEMONSTRATION IN BRIGHTON, 1994
Recently discovered on YouTube – video footage of PPML’s demonstration public service in New Road Brighton.  This used a temporary track laid over the road service and the ‘intermittent electric’ power system (where the vehicles’ flywheels are charged by low-voltage electrical connections under platforms).  The two vehicles shown in the video clip are PPM Nos. 6 and 7, and today both are in working order at the company’s Cradley Heath base.

18th May 2009

PPM 50 RAILCAR RETURNS TO CRADLEY HEATH
The lightweight railcar that operated an experimental Sunday passenger service on the Stourbridge Town branch in 2005-06 returned to PPML’s Cradley Heath base today.  PPM 50 vehicle No. 999 900 (also referred to as ‘Car 12’ as it was the twelfth Parry People Movers vehicle to be built) was removed from the branch yesterday in the same operation that delivered 139 001 to Stourbridge.

TRUE COMMUNITY RAIL – LIGHTWEIGHT TRANSPORT DESCRIBED
Issue 617 of RAIL magazine (6th-19th May 2009) includes a main feature article by Steve Broadbent covering the background and prospects of Lightweight Community Transport Ltd , the community interest company set up to provide finance for new local transport ventures.  As well as information on the technology and future developments of the PPM concept, the article explains in depth the principle of local transport based on lightweight rail – initially on existing track, such as heritage railways – to expand the provision of quality public transport to a greater proportion of the population.

PPM CENTRAL NEWS ITEM ON YOUTUBE
Click here to view the ITV Central News item filmed at Stourbridge and broadcast on 7th April 2009.

NOTES ON THE CLASS 139 ‘FLEET’
Readers of the May issue of the Railway Magazine may be a little puzzled by the reference to a third Class 139 vehicle!  The facts are that the Stourbridge Town branch will be operated by two Class 139 vehicles, of which No. 139 002 has been delivered to the line.  It is thought that the current presence at Stourbridge of PPM 50 vehicle No. 999 900 (clearly numbered by the Rolling Stock Library in a different series) may have caused some confusion.  PPML keeps a record of known media references on the Media Coverage page of this website.

STOURBRIDGE RAILCAR RECEIVES ITS PASSENGER LICENCE
The following is a news release from London Midland that has been prepared with PPML:

A pioneering lightweight, hybrid-power rail vehicle moved another step closer to its launch date after receiving its passenger licence today.

The first Class 139 Lightweight Railcar from Parry People Movers Ltd, the first of its kind in the UK, received its passenger certification from Network Rail. 

Further crew training will now take place as the Class 139 is phased into service on the Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town branch line.

The railcar will enter service on Saturdays and Sundays in April, operated under subcontract by Pre Metro Operations Ltd, with a view to full service introduction when the new rail timetable begins in May.

London Midland managing director Stephen Banaghan said he was keen to see the railcar enter service in Stourbridge.

"This will be an exciting development - the first of its kind in the UK - and we look forward to the advent of this new service at the heart of our network," he said.

"We have been working closely with Parry People Movers since November 2007 during the design, manufacture and commissioning of the new railcars and keenly anticipate their introduction."

PPML's chairman John Parry said that the Class 139 represented a new approach to local transport.

"London Midland are to be congratulated on looking for innovative solutions to branch line operation," said Mr Parry.

"Our flywheel-hybrid drive makes this type of railcar one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to travel, and the system can be applied to street tramways as well as short railway lines."

London Midland is currently running a diesel train on the Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town line.

STATEMENT ON STOURBRIDGE RAIL SERVICES
The following is a statement from London Midland that has been prepared with PPML:

"London Midland is re-introducing a train service to the Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town branch from Sunday (March 15) in response to our passengers’ wishes.  We have responded by bringing back the Class 153 diesel service whilst assisting the phasing-in of a new type of lightweight railcar in the coming weeks. 

"London Midland withdrew the diesel train when the new timetable was launched before Christmas, and a bus replacement service began to operate to allow completion of testing and training of drivers for a new lightweight railcar service with Class 139 vehicles supplied by Parry People Movers Ltd and operations undertaken by subcontractor company Pre Metro Operations Ltd. 

"We have been working closely with both organisations since November 2007 during the design, manufacture and commissioning of the new railcars and the preparation for service. 

"The Class 139 lightweight railcar type is highly innovative and as such its introduction is the first of its kind on the UK railway network, and innovations can take time to develop and implement.  The first of the two new vehicles is at the depot at StourbridgeTown branch and is awaiting approval for passenger operation.  However, London Midland is keen to offer an improved level of service to passengers as soon as possible and the bus replacements were only ever designed to be a short term measure. 

"We believe it is time to stop them and bring train operations back because of strong public feedback in favour of the rail service.  In full agreement with all concerned, we have decided to run the diesel Class 153s as previously, and to phase in the lightweight Class 139s as soon as possible. 

"We remain fully committed to the introduction of the new Class 139s and expect them to be implemented on the branch line.  We are working with all partners, including Network Rail and Centro, to ensure they are fully phased-in during the coming weeks."

THE FIRST OF THE TWO ‘STOURBRIDGE' RAILCARS TRANSFERRED FROM CHASEWATER RAILWAY TO PARRY CRADLEY HEATH WORKSHOPS
Click here for photographic record of the move.

PATENT FOR FLYWHEEL BOGIE
JPM Parry & Associates Ltd, PPML’s technology licensor, has developed its intellectual property in relation to lightweight rail technology with the granting of a patent for a flywheel bogie for rail vehicles.  This advance allows PPML to offer larger and more flexible rail vehicles while retaining the ‘clean and green’ advantages of all PPM trams and railcars.

HARD LANDING : NEW THINKING
PPML’s Chairman reviews changes to the company’s prospects in the aftermath of the global financial correction of September 2008. UK seen in direct path of shockwaves from international banking calamity which appears bound to work through into publicly-funded transport programmes. Full press release. A new paper has been published which sets out this 'New Thinking'. Download a copy here.

‘RAIL PROFESSIONAL’ DESCRIBES STOURBRIDGE OPERATION
Transport correspondent Peter Plisner examines the forthcoming Stourbridge operation using two PPM 60 / Class 139 railcars in a feature article in September’s Rail Professional magazine.  The article covers the history of PPML, and the compelling reasons for replacing an underused heavy rail unit on the operationally-segregated branch line with a lightweight operation, thus increasing capacity on whole system.

LIGHTWEIGHT TRAMWAYS PROPOSED FOR BRITISH TOWNS
Recent reports have seen PPML proposed as a supplier of vehicles for tramways in Weymouth on the south coast and Preston in the north-west.   The opportunity to use existing underused rail infrastructure combined with new track, but without the need for electrification, is seen as particularly attractive for urban centres that are not large enough to see large traffic flows justifying conventional light rail technology.  The Media Coverage page gives details of media reports relating to PPML.

PPML REPRESENTED AT ALAN KEEF OPEN DAY
Alan Keef Ltd will be holding an open day on Saturday 30th August.  As Alan Keef are supplying the chassis of the two Class 139 / PPM 60 railcars, PPML will be represented with a chassis and model on display.  Also present to answer questions will be two of the drivers who operated the Stourbridge Town branch Sunday service in 2005-06.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH AN RSS NEWS FEED
Access to an RSS news feed service has been added to the Home page, the Latest News page, the Press Room and the Contact Us page.  Visitors can subscribe free to the service which will then provide details of new Parry People Movers updates directly to their internet browsers and e-mail programs. Click here to view the current information and then click on ‘Subscribe to this feed’. The feed will then appear in your browser with an indication when new items have been added.

PHOTO ARCHIVE UPDATED
The Photo Archive, accessible from the improved Press Room page, has been brought right up to date with pictures showing progress on the PPM 60 / Class 139 project.

RAILCAR 139 001 ARRIVES AT TEST LOCATION
The first PPM 60 / Class 139 railcar was delivered to the Chasewater Railway on 29th July for dynamic testing in a railway environment.  Vehicle 139 001 moved under its own power into the railway's covered accommodation.  On the same day the principal functions of the chassis of vehicle 139 002 were successfully tested at the Ross-on-Wye workshop of Alan Keef Ltd.

RAILCAR No. 139 001 DISPLAYED AT TYSELEY 100 OPEN DAY
The first PPM 60 railcar for operation on the Stourbridge Town branch was exhibited in public at London Midland‘s Tyseley depot on Saturday 28th June.  The event marked the 100th anniversary of Tyseley Locomotive Works, and railcar 139 001 took its place amidst an extensive display of steam, diesel and electric rolling stock on both the London Midland depot and the adjacent heritage railway site.

CLASS 139 TAKES SHAPE
The photographs below show progress on the ‘Class 139’ PPM 60 railcars, being supplied to Porterbrook Leasing and London Midland to operate the Stourbridge Town branch.  Bodies are being finished at Trailways Ltd, while the chassis are assembled by Alan Keef Ltd.

PPML IN ‘THE MODERN RAILWAY’
Alongside its technology licensor JPM Parry & Associates Ltd, PPML is listed in ‘The Modern Railway’, the directory of UK rail industry suppliers published in the June issue of Modern Railways magazine.

‘STEAM RAILWAY’ LOOKS INTO LIGHTWEIGHT RAIL
The 9th May issue of Steam Railway magazine features a four-page article exploring the potential of PPML’s products to operate in public transport service over heritage railways.  Written by journalist Tony Streeter, the piece includes commentary from Caspar Lucas, technical services director of PPML’s technology licensors and project managers, JPM Parry & Associates Ltd.  References to PPML in print, on radio and on television are listed on the Media Coverage page.

PPML FEATURED IN GUIDE TO BRITAIN’S RAILWAYS
The eleventh edition of ‘Britain’s Railways’, the comprehensive guide to the rail systems of the British mainland, describes in detail the progress made by PPML in securing the supply of two PPM 60 railcars to operate public services on the Stourbridge Town branch.  Overviews are given in sections devoted to both light rail and London Midland, the franchise under which the Stourbridge Town branch falls.  ‘Britain’s Railways’ is an annual guide from the publishers of RAIL magazine.

EXPLORING PPML’s POTENTIAL FOR HERITAGE RAILWAYS
The May issue of international light rail journal Tramways & Urban Transport features a major article highlighting the potential for lightweight rail technology to bring public transport services back to lines now run as heritage railways.  Co-authored by rail journalist Tony Streeter and Caspar Lucas, technical services director of PPML’s project managers JPM Parry & Associates Ltd, it points out how principles already successfully adopted in Germany point the way to PPM railcars running weekday services on independent railways in the UK.

LIGHTWEIGHT RAIL POTENTIAL FOR RE-OPENINGS EXAMINED
The March 2008 edition of Today's Railways UK includes an 11-page appraisal of the prospects for reinstating rail routes in England.  Prominent in the main article is an assessment of the role of PPM lightweight rail technology for providing attractive passsenger rail services on a variety of railway types, including existing heritage lines, freight-only routes and mothballed railways that are safeguarded but do not currently see any traffic.  An extract from the article can be seen on the Media Comment page.

LIGHTWEIGHT RAIL CAPABILITY ADVERTISED IN RAIL & TRAM PRESS
PPML's project managers JPM Parry & Associates Ltd have promoted the potential offered by lightweight rail technology in the transport press.  Different advertisements in the magazines Tramways & Urban Transit (January and February 2008) and Modern Railways (February 2008) emphasise Parry Associates' expertise in bringing innovative transport solutions to public service.  Both publications have also carried editorial content relating to PPML - see the Media Coverage page

PPM 60 RAILCARS TO BE CLASS 139
The British rail industry has determined that the two PPM 60 vehicles now in manufacture to operate public services on the Stourbridge Town branch will be known as Class 139.  Following standard practice, each railcar will display both a unit number (139 001 and 139 002) and a vehicle number (39001 and 39002).  This system is very different from the single number (999 900) given to the prototype PPM 50 railcar prior to operation on the same route, and ironically places the new vehicles - which will run on a route with a maximum line speed of 20mph - in a similar number series to those of the Class 395 units that will achieve 140mph on domestic services over the new high speed line from St Pancras International.