The Mini Trams

[Heartland]

During the 1990's John Parry and his team developed a range of Mini Trams for use on streets where pedestrianisation had been created.

The mini tram used a battery electricity supply and worked along a length of duplex track that was put down on the street paving. It was an intelligent method of carrying people and they all had disabled access and suited the transport to shops from car park areas. In November 1993 one was demonstrated in Centenary Square when there was a light rail exhibition held at the ICC.

It was a concept that was tried in different locations but not taken up.

Parry's later development produced the 2 vehicles which still operate on the Stourbridge Town Car service,

 

[Pedrocut]

Birmingham Mail, Sep 1993.

 

[mikejee]

Isn't that the vehicle powered by a flywheel? I know they tested that, but is it still operating?

 

[Heartland]

The Mini Tram was succeeded by the versions that worked on the standard gauge at Bristol and Stourbridge and yes the flywheel was a key component in the design

The fly wheel was also employed in a road vehicle design prototype and a human powered vehicle also had a small flywheel

 

[Heartland]

It is important to note that the newspaper extract confirms the support by labour councillor at the time which enabled the Parry People Mover to be demonstrated in Centenary Square. PPM No 6 gave rides along the Duplex Track whilst the newly completed shell of No 7 was on show in the ICC.

The Conservative party comments were not worthy of the innovative concept Parry was suggesting, the reality of a cheap alternative to the cost of laying down the metro as it is must be born in mind and such beliefs are being put into practice by Very Light Rail in Coventry at present. Parry's early designs had the mini trams running on a battery charge and the Duplex track laid straight down on the paved section of Centenary Square.