PPM question

[A0]

Does anybody know if the PPM has started on the Stourbridge branch yet ?

The LM website says it's start has been delayed, but there isn't a current date quoted.

Any info ?

 

[37412]

No still buses from outside the Junction station when i've gone past for the last few Saturdays on my way to the SVR, there is two PPM's in the shed there now though, not sure if its a new one and the old one or the two new ones though?!

 

[metrocammel]

It seems ridiculous. Clearly the heavy-rail service was prematurely stopped. Any indication to when the Plastic People Mover will start?

 

[Techniquest]

In all fairness, the unit that was on it has gone off to provide additional capacity elsewhere, which is one of the few things we can appauld LM for finally doing. Indeed, we're now FINALLY seeing additional capacity on the 0849 BHM - HFD and 1040 HFD - BHM as well as the 1649 BHM - HFD and 1940 HFD - BHM (no doubt we have on others, the above are the only ones I've observed) in the form of a 153 coupled up to the 2-car 170 usually provided on the above.

So whilst Stourbridge has lost the little-used shuttle service, we are seeing the advantages elsewhere.

 

[37412]

So whilst Stourbridge has lost the little-used shuttle service, we are seeing the advantages elsewhere.

It may seem a little used service when you travelled on it but when i've been working down the SVR of a weekday and got an earlish train Stourbridge is a wash of kids travelling to the two colleges there. Also in the day it may only carry 2 - 3 people a trip but for 80 year old Dorris with her shopping is a service that is needed to avoid the walk up the hill.

 

[Techniquest]

Fair enough, hopefully the PPMs will be here soon to deal with their needs. The 153 released from it, however, in my eyes provides much-needed capacity for the greater good. But then I guess I would say that as I benefit from it!

 

[37402]

Clearly the heavy-rail service was prematurely stopped.

Usual problem; it worked on paper but not in reality. The LM unit diagrams for December were all tied in with VHF and couldn't be altered to suit the situation unless short forming/cancellation was to take place elsewhere. Some (such as Mr 87015) may say that's what happened anyway...

 

[Phoenix]

I guess a branch line as short as the stourbridge line doesn't require immediate action and therefore they have took away the former and at the same time knowing the latter wasn't even ready.
Considering LM are based in Birmingham and PPM are based not far from Stourbridge you think they might think about abit more seen as though it isn't a distant problem.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Seriously though even an 08 shunter and a carriage would be suitable for that line, similar to operations run on short preservation lines and museums - such as Manchester Science and Industry and NRM York.

As discussed before, the best thing to make the line feasibe would be get the PPM in operation and extend into stourbridge centre and run as a light rail system.

So come on Midland - get the PPM on the line and quick!

 

[Mojo]

Posters have appeared at Snow Hill advising that the PPM still isn't ready, but that a train service will be reinstated from (I think) 15 March. Presumably it'll be a 153 (not that much else can fit in the platform at Stourbridge Town).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just an update, found this on LM's website

London Midland is re-introducing trains - including a Sunday service - between Stourbridge Town and Stourbridge Junction from Sunday (15 March, 2009).

The company decided to reinstate the diesel train service that previously ran on the line after listening to passengers' views, until a new type of rail vehicle, the Parry People Mover (PPM), will be ready to go into service on the line.

London Midland is keen to offer an improved level of customer service to passengers as quickly as possible. The bus replacement service was only ever intended to be a short-term measure.

The PPM, a lightweight, environmentally friendly rail car, is groundbreaking and the first of its its first kind in the UK. Innovations like this can take time to develop and implement. We fully expect the PPM to enter service on the branch line and will be working closely with all our partners.

 

[mrcheek]

they should find an old GWR 1930s railcar!

 

[Phoenix]

Why does it feel like I have seen this time and time again and Ive only been alive 20 years it seems like every new innovation takes longer than planned to come into fruition.
The idea of going back to the 153 is quite satisfactory as it keeps the customers still using the line and LM gets to keep some face value along with PPM although Honestly these problems both companies are having should have been dealt with before a date was set on the maiden run.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

What exactly is causing the delay with the PPM?

Im guessing the fact that they are reinstating the train service means they are not expecting it to return for some time.

 

[thefab444]

Is it only me who thinks this PPM nonsense is a bad idea?

 

[Daimler]

Why is the PPM taking so long to come into service? Surely it's not that complicated a machine - I thought they'd already tried them all over the place....

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

This is a statement released today on the parrypeoplemovers.com website:

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."