The Class 139 is unique on the British Railways system in being railcar powered by a hybrid diesel-flywheel system. The flywheel stores energy and is charged by a Ford diesel engine when the railcar is at rest, kinetic energy from the brakes and from downhill operation are also recycled [1].
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| West Midands Railway 139 001 at Stourbridge Town |
At first London Midland, and currently West Midlands Railway operates the railcar along the short Stourbridge branch between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town [2]. Two Class 139s have been built. There was also a prototype built in 2002 which was used to prove the flywheel concept. It ran on a number of heritage lines for testing and was referred to as the Class 999.
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 2 |
| Built: | 2007-08 |
| Builder: | Parry People Movers |
| Motor: | Ford DSG423 diesel driving flywheel |
| Power: | 86 hp (64 kW) |
| Formation: | Driving Motor Second (DMS) |
The Class 139 is a small railcar (less than nine metres long) though has seating capacity for over twenty people plus over thirty standing.
The Class 139 began operation on the Stourbridge branch in 2009 releasing a Class 153 for other duties. The Class 139s are not allowed on any other part of the network and have their own little "depot" at Stourbridge Junction [3].
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| The Class 999 prototype, seen at Highley on the Severn Valley Railway |
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| WMR 139 001 at Stourbridge Junction |
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| 139 001 again, this time at Stourbridge Town |
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| Interior view |
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| Cab view |
[1] PPM Technology <http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/technology.htm>
[2] Where can i ride on a PPM railcar <http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/popup-faq22.htm>
[3] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 118