Is rolling stock design going backwards?

In the 1980’s  British Rail issued a challenge to several companies to design a cheap, lightweight train. The initial prototype, known as LEV-1, was a joint project by the British Rail Research Division and Leyland Motors using a Leyland National bus body mounted on a modification of an existing freight vehicle underframe. This was followed by the two-car prototype class 140, which was built in 1984 at the British Rail Engineering Derby works.

The Pacer class diesel multiple units have their fans and also their critics but at the time they were deployed they undoubtedly saved several branch lines from closure due to their low construction and operating costs.

Fast forward to the present day and we have another low cost solution to branch line railways in the Parry People Mover.  The Parry People Mover is a railcar that uses flywheel energy storage to store energy for traction, allowing electric systems to operate without overhead wires or third rail. London Midland, owner of the West Midlands franchise, began operating a single PPM50 (Class 139) unit on the Stourbridge line in 2002 and this was followed by another in 2009.

The only issue I have with the PPM is that, as with the Pacer DMU’s, the design team seem to have taken their inspiration from yet another road vehicle, the Ford Transit Dormobile.  The likeness is once again striking and it makes me wonder if those who design new concepts have just given up on forging new ideas.

I wonder what is next, a locomotive based on the Ford Capri perhaps, or how about an extension of the Pacer project utilising a double decker bus?