The Parry People Mover

The Parry People Mover is a lightweight tram-train that can operate on a normal railway track or on tram tracks laid in the road surface. They are quiet and “green” running on liquid petroleum gas. The vehicles most suitable for Folkestone are driven by a 2 litre car engine that drives a flywheel under the floor of the vehicle. This in turn is linked via a pneumatic clutch and two-way hydrostatic transmission and gearbox to driven axle. Maintenance is very easy with most of the access being through the vehicle floor.

The flywheel allows the direct capture of brake energy (when slowing down or, in the case of Folkestone, descending gradients) and its re-use for acceleration. Since the short-term power demand for acceleration is provided by the energy stored in the flywheel, there is no need a large engine.

These types of tram-train are used on the Stourbridge Branch in the West Midlands running 214 trips per day carrying just under 2,000 passengers at a fuel cost of £76. In the case of Folkestone we believe that a vehicle will make 8 return journeys between Folkestone East and The Leas Cliff Lifts using one gallon of fuel.

Our objective is to work with the Folkestone Harbour Company and Shepway District Council to implement a route that would serve a park and ride station at Folkestone East and also connect with mainline trains from Ashford and London. This would provide a quick and easy transit from train and main roads to the harbour area. By terminating at the Leas Cliff Lifts passengers will also be within 100m of the Town Centre – a much better experience than walking from Folkestone Central station or threading the town’s narrow roads to a seafront parking area. Other busy destinations such as Canterbury successfully place park and ride locations on the outskirts of the urban area and we believe that our approach mirrors this as far as the geography allows.Given an expectation of about 800 new houses being built in the harbour area the reverse process would take residents to mainline trains very quickly.

Pictures courtesy of Parry People Movers