A new era of environmentally-friendly transport has been ushered in with the signing of a contract worth over £700,000 to supply a pair of revolutionary railcars to run passenger services on the branch line between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town in the West Midlands.

Transport operator London Midland, train leasing company Porterbrook Leasing and supplier Parry People Movers have come together to bring two 'PPM 60' railcars into operation from December 2008. The new vehicles feature lightweight construction and a hybrid system using flywheel energy storage, which dramatically reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional trains. The light axle loads of the railcars will also cause less wear and tear to the railway track.

The order follows the successful experimental operation of a prototype railcar on the same branch line in 2005-06 that led to Govia including the technology in its successful bid to operate the new London Midland rail franchise. London Midland started operation of train services throughout the West Midlands and express services to London and Liverpool on 11 November 2007.

Once the new railcars are in service, London Midland will re-deploy the single coach train, previously employed on the Stourbridge Town service, elsewhere to improve capacity on other parts of its network.

Steve Banaghan, Managing Director of London Midland, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Parry People Movers and Porterbrook. Investing in a new fleet is a key feature of the changes we are making to rail services across the London Midland network, of which this is just one part. Over the next two years we will be investing over £240 million in new trains.”

Paul Francis, Managing Director of Porterbrook said :"We are delighted to introduce this innovative new product into our rolling stock fleet. Parry People Movers railcars have the right operating and environmental credentials, and present new opportunities for developing branch line capacity in the UK."

Caspar Lucas, projects manager for Parry People Movers, said: "The new railcars are the right solution for the Stourbridge branch line - efficient, clean and quiet. Our technology is perfect for these short branch lines and offers a new way forward, particularly for the re-opening of closed railways as well as on routes like this one."