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ULR In Action

Bristol  Birmingham (Stourbridge) Southport and Birkenhead

...a city in the South-West of the UK.   Bristol Electric Railbus used this 6 ton 35-passenger tram to operate a service  for two years covering over 10,000km and carrying some 50,000 fare-paying passengers.  The service was withdrawn as part of a long term project to introduce a full-scale Ultra Light Tram service to Bristol.

Bristol 235 6 Ton Tram

Work is continuing with local interest groups and the situation remains positive with the City Council, including the ULR route in its Local Transport Plan. 

Steep free access at stops

Provision of Step-free access enables all users to board and alight with freedom of movement increasing social inclusion.  This is of particular interest in many countries with ageing population.

The predictable route of the tram means that pedestrians and trams can safely co-exist.

Power for the tram was supplied by SWEB and was from 100% renewable sources. 

 

ULR NOW OPERATING 7 DAYS A WEEK ON WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH LINE

Two PPM 60 railcars - „Class 139 in British railway terminology - have entered passenger service on the Stourbridge Town branch: a breakthrough for lightweight rail.

By late June both Class 139 vehicles had entered passenger service, and thousands of passenger journeys had been made in them. On 22nd June the first day of intensive service saw over 200 public service trips along the branch line made by 139 001. Making one journey in each direction every ten minutes, the railcar easily met its operational specification and gave Stourbridge Town its best ever train service - made possible by the sprightly performance and short turnaround times achievable with this type of rolling stock.

 

The service is operated by Pre Metro Operations  a fully-fledged subcontract train operator, running the Stourbridge Town service on behalf of London Midland.

 

Govia states that one of the key highlights of the franchise is the  Parry People Movers lightweight railcars.  These railcars operate all services on the short branch line between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town. carbon dioxide emissions have been cut by 80% compared to the conventional type of train that previously operated the branch.

The Class 139 railcar impresses West Midlands PTE directors as well as representatives of national transport executive group. PPM Ltd was pleased to receive a top level visit from Centro, the Executive of the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority.  A further visit from Centro officials and other interested individuals from Edinburgh and South Yorkshire PTE took place later the same week.

 

The 100-seater custom-built British vehicle links the end of the UK's second longest Pier with Southport town-centre, passing the Ocean Plaza complex en route. It has been funded with 250,000 GBP from Mersey Waterfront, alongside 45,000 GBP from Sefton Council and a further 30,000 GBP from The Pier Trust.  Louise Hopkins, Director of Mersey Waterfront, said:- "Southport Pier tram has generate more than £140,000 for the local economy in the last12 months alone, and helps' secure the Pier's future.Inside of tram

The tram was built by UK Loco and operates 9000Km per year with over 99% reliability.Tram in operation.

This highly energy efficient light tram (below) built by Trampower is seen on the Birkenhead tramway

These trams are 90% energy efficient with regenerative braking to standstill and can be supplied both for systems with overhead supply or with on-board power supply.  With an energy consumption of just 1Kw per Km for a 200 passenger tram they are the most efficient trams in their class. 

The innovative bogie design with independent traction control to each wheel on the bogie means no wheel slip or rail sequel.

 Each wheel can be removed independently and maintenance dose not require an inspection pit.

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