Your current location:HOME >politics >Pictured: The railway in Britain that's Europe's shortest line 正文
TIME:2024-05-22 02:10:09 Source: Internet compilationEdit:politics
Britain doesn't hold many current railway records, but it does have a line in the West Midlands that
Britain doesn't hold many current railway records, but it does have a line in the West Midlands that claims the title of Europe's shortest – the Stourbridge branch line.
At just 0.8 miles (1.2km/1,287 metres) in length, it's also Britain's shortest railway line.
What's more, the service that runs on it is operated by 'Pre Metro' and West Midlands Railway using a pair of rare Class 139 'Parry People Movers'.
They are the only Class 139s in service in the UK.
The one-car vehicles - the brainchild of light rail pioneer John Parry - are described by Pre Metro as 'self-sustained trams', powered by a hybrid flywheel and an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) engine.
Europe's shortest railway line – the Stourbridge branch line
The website for the line explains that the flywheel enables the shuttles to perform regenerative braking, where the vehicles' kinetic energy is collected when braking, and later re-used for acceleration.
The line they trundle up and down was opened in 1879, with Parry People Mover passengers today carried along it at up to 20mph (32kph).
The journey, between Stourbridge Town and Stourbridge Junction, takes just three minutes and costs £1.50.
Services depart every 10 minutes. That's 1,370 services every week, with two drivers in place for 'safety and stellar customer service', according to Pre Metro.
The service that runs on the Stourbridge branch line is operated by 'Pre Metro' and West Midlands Railway using a pair of rare Class 139 'Parry People Movers'
The journey, between Stourbridge Town and Stourbridge Junction, takes just three minutes, with services departing every 10 minutes
The line was opened in 1879, with Parry People Mover passengers today carried along it at up to 20mph (32kph)
The line was originally built to move goods and people between Stourbridge's canal basin and the mainline rail network at Stourbridge junction, providing a vital link to Worcester, Kidderminster and Birmingham.
Another notably short passenger route in the UK is the journey by plane from Papa Westray to Westray in the Scottish archipelago of Orkney - with the flight covering a distance of just 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometres).
It takes just one minute and 14 seconds.
The shortest railway in the world is Los Angeles' Angels Flight funicular, which is just 298 feet long.
It takes passengers from Hill Street to Grand Avenue.
The one-car Class 139s - the brainchild of light rail pioneer John Parry - are described as 'self-sustained trams'
Read more:Dame Judi Dench's tears as she receives Sycamore Gap tree seedling at Chelsea Flower Show2024-05-22 02:04
Mother's Day: Today, more US parents than ever have paid leave — but most still don't2024-05-22 01:58
Rise in UK knife attacks leads to a crackdown and stokes public anxiety2024-05-22 01:41
Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff Sue Gray courts spies over crackdown on Moscow, Iran and China2024-05-22 01:19
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form2024-05-22 01:03
A police officer was killed in Pakistan2024-05-22 01:01
Missed Friday's Northern Lights? The best cities in the US to see them after 'extreme' solar storm2024-05-22 00:40
Zendaya's raunchy Challengers movie sparks frenzied Gen Z trend2024-05-22 00:34
Tourism boosts China's social, economic development2024-05-22 00:16
Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff Sue Gray courts spies over crackdown on Moscow, Iran and China2024-05-21 23:31
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs2024-05-22 02:08
US aims to stay ahead of China in using AI to fly fighter jets2024-05-22 01:14
Berry scores late, rallies Galaxy to 22024-05-22 00:57
Jessica Biel shows off her new blonde hair and casual2024-05-22 00:46
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue2024-05-22 00:42
US aims to stay ahead of China in using AI to fly fighter jets2024-05-22 00:09
Zendaya's raunchy Challengers movie sparks frenzied Gen Z trend2024-05-21 23:46
Lotus Lantern Festival draws thousands in Seoul to celebrate upcoming Buddha's birthday2024-05-21 23:40
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang2024-05-21 23:33
Switzerland triumphs at the most political Eurovision ever: Nemo wins scandal2024-05-21 23:23