British Rail Class 139

Infobox DMU
name = British Rail Class 139

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imagesize = 250px
background = #76B41F
caption = 139 001 on display at Tyseley, 28th June 2008.
Manufacturer = Parry People Movers
Family = PPM
Operator = London Midland
Formation = 1 car
Built = 2 vehicles under construction
LinesServed = Stourbridge Town Branch Line
InService = 2008 -
Refurbishment = None
CarLength = 10.5 yd (9.6m)
CarWidth = 2.5 yd (2.4m)
CarHeight = 10.5 yd (3.2m)
Weight =
Capacity = 60
MaxSpeed = 40 mph (65 km/h)
Gauge = Standard gauge (4 ft 8½ in)
Traction = 1,000-2,500rpm flywheel
Engine = Ford DSG423 diesel
SafetySystem =

British Rail Class 139 [Today's Railways no74 p59] is the TOPS classification assigned to the lightweight railcars being built for operation by London Midland on the Stourbridge Town Branch Line. The railcars are PPM60 model units from Parry People Movers, with two being supplied for the service. [ [http://www.londonmidland.com/index.php/news/news_items/view/23 Parry People Movers for Stourbridge branch line] ] They will replace a single Class 153 DMU on the service.

The concept of using the lightweight railcar came about in 2006, when a year-long pilot scheme began on the Stourbridge line on Sundays. The success of this meant that the provision of regular services using the technology was incorporated in the franchise plans for the new West Midlands Franchise, of which the line would be a part. Following London Midland's successful bid, they placed an order with Parry People Movers, through Porterbrook, to purchase two PPM60 railcars to operate the service, freeing up the existing single car DMUs for use elsewhere. The first built 139, 139001 was on show at the Tyseley Open Day on the 28th June 2008

The Class 139 units will be typical of the Parry People Mover concept, in that they will utilise a flywheel energy storage as the main source of energy to move the vehicle. The flywheel captures "brake energy" (when the brakes are used), and re-uses it for acceleration. This eliminates the need for a large diesel engine, as the unit's primary motive power comes from the flywheel. The small onboard engine is used to power up the vehicle initially, and to provide power for the onboard systems. [ [http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/technology.htm PPM Technology] ] Because of the presence of the diesel engine, the railcars are being classified as diesel multiple units. The two units are due to enter service by December 2008. [ [http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/PR2007-12-05.htm Parry People Movers Railcars ordered for West Midlands Branch Line] ]

Numbering

The two units on the Stourbridge Town branch will be units 139 001 and 139 002, composed of vehicle numbers 39001 and 39002 respectively.

References

External links

* [http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/ Parry People Movers]
* [http://www.stourbridgelineusergroup.info/ Stourbridge Line User Group]
* [http://www.londonmidland.com/index.php/cms/pages/home London Midland]