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British Rail Class 139 PPM
139 002 at Stourbridge Junction
Specifications
Car length	9.6 m

British Rail Class 139 is the TOPS classification for PPM60 model lightweight railcars built by Parry People Movers, for use on the British rail network. The class were originally built in 2008 for operation on the Stourbridge Town Branch Line.

The first newly constructed Class 139 was shown on 28 June 2008 at the Tyseley Locomotive Works Open Day. The two units were due to enter public service by December 2008. They eventually took over branchline duties in June 2009.

Technology

The Class 139 units are typical of the Parry People Mover concept, in that they will utilise flywheel energy storage as the main source of energy, to propel the vehicle. The flywheel captures brake energy when the brakes are used, and re-uses the energy for acceleration. As the unit's primary motive power comes from the flywheel, this eliminates the need for a large diesel engine. The small onboard engine is used to power up the vehicle initially, and to provide power for the onboard systems.

Usage

The concept of using the lightweight railcar came about in 2006, when a year-long pilot scheme began on the Stourbridge Town Branch Line on Sundays, using a PPM50 unit (numbered as 999 900 under TOPS). The success of this pilot meant that the provision of regular services using the technology was incorporated in the franchise plans for the new West Midlands Franchise. Following the award of the franchise to London Midland, they placed an order for two PPM60 units with Parry People Movers, through Porterbrook leasing.

These two units are 139 001 and 139 002, composed of vehicle numbers 39001 and 39002 in the British carriage and wagon numbering and classification system. The vehicles are mechanially similar to 999 900, but are approximately 1m longer. They were intended to start operating on the Stourbridge Town branch in 2008. In January 2009 it was confirmed that 139001 was still undergoing testing at Chasewater Railway and 139002 was still not completed.

Despite the difficulties in the commissioning of the two Class 139 units, London Midland consistently outlined its faith that they would be ready to enter service. In March 2009, it was announced that the first unit had received its passenger certification from Network Rail, allowing it to carry passengers. London Midland stated that they would begin a phased entry into service, starting with weekend operation in April, leading up to a full service by the timetable change in May. Until then, London Midland returned a Class 153 to operating the branch service. 139002 officially entered service on 29 March 2009 as part of the type's phased entry. This unit had previously worked in full service, including all-day on Monday 11 May 2009 and previously had worked all morning services during February/March 2009. In May 2009 139 001 was finally delivered to Stourbridge, with 999 900 removed at the same time. The test unit 999 900 had been on the branch line between 2005–2009. At the point of introduction, they displaced a single Class 153 DMU that was previously allocated to the branch line.

Future

Parry People Movers are using London Midland's purchase of the Class 139 for the short Stourbridge line to promote the PPM concept for other lines that are short and essentially separate from the main railway network as a means of reintroducing rail travel to areas that have seen it curtailed. PPML have indicated that they intend to use a variation of the PPM60 model, to be known as the PPM220, to bid for the contract to build a small fleet of experimental tram-trains for use on the Penistone Line, and for the new generation DMUs intended as part of the Government's rolling stock plan. This will entail an articulated unit, with a pair of PPM60 variants at either end of a fixed passenger unit—the whole unit will be capable of accommodating up to 220 passengers and travelling at up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) on railways or 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) on tramways.

Fleet details

References

1. ^ "PPM 50/ PPM 60 Specification". Parry People Movers. Retrieved 2008-10-14. Dimensions: Length 9.6m Width 2.4m Height 3.2m (high floor) Maximum speed: 65km/h on suitable trackwork Passenger accommodation: Typical capacity 20-25 seated plus 30-35 standing Flywheel energy storage: Effective speed range 1,000-2,600rpm Self-powered vehicles: Engine Ford DSG423 LPG fuel)
2. Today's Railways no74 p59
3. PPM Technology
4. Parry People Movers for Stourbridge branch line
5. Rail Express, Jan 2009 {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
6. Stourbridge railcar receives its passenger licence - London Midland, 26/03/09
7. "Trains return to the Stourbridge Line - including Sundays". London Midland. 2009-03-12. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
8. ^ "Latest News". Parry People Movers. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
9. Parliamentary Light Rail Group hears case for reopenings
10. Worldwide Scope for Tram-Trains

External links

• Parry People Movers
• Stourbridge Line User Group
• London Midland
• Ford Power Products DSG423 engine details

• British Rail diesel multiple units
• People movers
• Hybrid locomotives