A miniature tram which is powered by a rapidly spinning flywheel is
being developed by the Midlands-based company Parry People Movers.
The company has already tested a three-quarters scale prototype. The
power for the minitram is stored in a flywheel which can be charged in only
90 seconds. Electric charging points at ordinary stops will feed a low-voltage
supply to an electric motor on the tram. The motor is the same size as that
on a milk float. When the minitram slows down the energy is fed back through
a gearbox into the flywheel. The anticipated range of the minitram is about
3 to 4 kilometres.
John Parry, the chairman of Parry People Movers, thinks the minitram
will be popular where there is a particular need for transport that is free
of fumes. For instance, the minitram could carry people relatively short
distances around shopping precincts.
