Great Western Coffee Shop

Out of the FGW area ... do I note that the Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Town train service is currently ... a bus service?  Joining Croxley Green, Norton Bridge, Newhaven Marine and perhaps a few others?  Wasn't there supposed to be a Parry People Mover on order for the line? 

PPM have built two Class 139s for use on the service but they were not internally identical.  The second one had somewhat different electrical wiring to the first one as a result of alterations and improvements during construction.  Whoever has to give them type approval has withheld it until there is a standard arrangement properly tested and documented and on a blueprint.

Touch of the amateurs methinks.

Where did I get that from?  Can't remember just at the moment but I'm rummaging.

Found it.  It was in PPM's own newsletter (back page) here (http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/newsletter52-count.htm).

Here's the latest news (http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/latest_news.htm) at 16th January.

Coming soon...

The introduction of the units has been delayed. ::)

Because the 153 was needed for the Worcester - Gloucester trains, it had to leave in December.

For the time being, a 2 bph service operates instead of the 6 tph intended (NB, it was 4 tph with the 153).

The cynical side of me would not be surprised if the PPM order was a lie, and that LM were looking for a way to axe the line (not true)!

Note that the lines closure WAS considered fairly recently, to be replaced by a bus.

Other info - the branch line is the shortest in the UK (probably Europe). It connects the 6tph commuter rail service to Stourbridge Bus Station.

This is an absolute farce!

There have been trials on the branch with PPM's for years. The Sunday service was operated by one for a while perfectly safely was it not? So why all the problems now. We need to sort these safety lot out - a contained branch line less than a mile with speeds below 30mph does not need the same regulations as a 125mph mainline railway.

This really is the UK rail industry at its worst. It will now be really hard to persuade people to return to the train whenever the next one is!

Ah- the stock is TWO NEW PPMs.
 
Heaven knows what they have done with the "trial" PPM (hopefully burnt on the tip - my opinion of buses PPMs).

And blame the EU and/or H&S for the delay.

e.g. It is because of the EU that Kidderminster station's new footbridge and lifts (construction started in Dec 07) are ready, but still not open!

I see in the latest Rail that this still hasn't been sorted - heads should be rolling!

Once the service restarts it will be really hard to get people to start using it again.

It looks like they are trying to shut the line - but the 2 PPMs can be seen in a hut next to the platforms.

Once again pathetic EU H&S strikes again!

PPM136002 has now been certified.   ;D

It's supposed to start running soon and be fully in service in May.

136001 is still at the candlestick makers'.

Though interesting that LM have "found" a 153 to run the service. Maybe now they've found a unit they could use it on the Walsall - Wolves line before they lose it again.  No, that's too much to hope for isn't it.

I was going to say the same thing. (LM's magic wand is out again!)

Perhaps I should write to LM's MD about the Walsal service.

It's such a shame that the minute the branch went back to proper train operation, the news was released of the PPM being passed.  :'(