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Made by Serif

The economical and ecological way to revive Britain's branch lines

Of all forms of public transport, light rail with regenerative braking has the lowest climate change impact per passenger mile. Other benefits include better connections to the national rail network, the relief of traffic congestion and the regeneration of smaller town centres.

The development of light rail vehicles that do not require overhead lines and use hybrid drives to conserve energy has lowered the cost threshold for constructing and running local light rail services.

The pictures here show one example of a lightweight railcar: the PPM60 made by Parry People Movers.

The one remaining barrier is the finance required by operators to invest in rolling stock. A light rail leasing company is the solution.  

By reducing project scales and involving small, private organisations, cost saving innovations in rail technology and operating methods could be introduced onto privately-controlled lines that are only busy at weekends for leisure purposes. Also, the main national network owner is willing to consider giving access to existing freight and mothballed lines. These projects will pave the way for new line construction.

Branch lines unused by conventional rail exist that provide ideal routes for this.

There are examples in Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and counties within the Midlands where existing non-passenger railways terminate at main centres of work and education, or at main line junction stations.

London Midland have already commissioned one such service between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town, and some heritage rail operators are studying the feasibility.