The concept of using the lightweight In January 2009, it was confirmed that 139001 was still undergoing testing at Chasewater Railway and 139002 was still not completed. Despite the difficulties in the commissioning of the two Class 139 units, London Midland consistently outlined its faith that they would be ready to enter service. In March 2009, it was announced that the first unit had received its passenger certification from
Network Rail, allowing it to carry passengers. London Midland said it would begin a phased entry into service, starting with weekend operation in April, leading up to a full service by the timetable change in May 2009. Until then, London Midland temporarily returned a
Class 153 to operating the branch service. Unit 139 002 officially entered service on 29 March 2009 as part of the type's phased entry. This unit had previously worked in full service, including all-day on Monday 11 May 2009 and previously had worked all morning services during February/March 2009. In May 2009, the first unit, 139 001, was finally delivered to Stourbridge, with 999 900 removed at the same time. In 2010, a trial service was planned between the
Mid-Hants Railway, a heritage line in
Hampshire, and
Go-Op, a planned
open access operator, which would see the former 999 900 restored to its original designation as Parry Car No. 12, operate peak time trains between and , intended to connect with
South West Trains services to London in the morning and from London in the evening. Problems with the vehicle during testing meant that this project was postponed. As a consequence, the vehicle, since purchased by Lightweight Community Transport, underwent a major rebuild to bring it up to Class 139 standard; it was renumbered as 139 000, then later 139 012.
Other interest and proposals One pre-qualified franchise bidder in the 2012 round included the procurement of Class 139s in its franchise bid; however, it was not successful. Parry People Movers used London Midland's operation of the Class 139 to promote the concept for other lines that are short and essentially separate from the main railway network as a means of reintroducing rail travel to areas that have seen it curtailed. PPM proposed a variation of the PPM60, to be known as PPM220, to bid for the contract to build a small fleet of experimental
tram-trains for use on the
Penistone Line, and for the new generation DMUs intended as part of the government's rolling stock plan. This would have been an articulated unit, with a pair of PPM60 variants at either end, capable of accommodating up to 220 passengers and travel at up to on railways or on
tramways. The Penistone trial, however, was cancelled before a bidder was selected. With Lightweight Community Transport, Parry People Movers developed concepts for a four–axle
bogie vehicle with a more powerful diesel engine and greater passenger capacity, intending to market it as the flagship product for use on branch lines. These proposals were unsuccessful in finding buyers, and PPM ceased operating following the death of its founder and director in 2023. ==Fleet details==