MA 51
Encyclopedia
Matériérel Articulé was a type of rolling stock
on the Paris Métro
and was in service between 1951 and 1994.
was a result of research conducted by the Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris
(CMP) and the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) during the 1940
in response to the then-used Sprague-Thomson
rolling stock being considered heavy and outdated. The company envisioned a rolling stock that was lighter and equipped with a Jeumon-Heidmann (JH) system that had been used on the Sceaux Line
since 1938. In addition, the company hoped to improve braking. The most-used solution at the time was a rolling stock with a common chassis and two cars.
At the same time, the company also desired to have circulating modular trains so that they may have been expanded during peak hours. Lines equipped with stations of at least 75 metres (82 yd) supported trains with two components and those with stations of at least 105 metres (114.8 yd) supported trains with three components. An extension of stations to m yd that began in 1931 was never completed.
car. The stock were equipped with Scharfenberg automatic coupling
s allowing for quick coupling and decoupling of cars.
Seats were divided into two classes, and fluorescent lighting was used. Folding seats were used at each end to increase the amount of space for passengers.
Initially, the livery
was grayish-blue across all cars, however with the introduction of first class in the 1950s, the RATP piloted first class cars in the middle colored red, however this did not catch on. RATP eventually incorporated yellow into the color scheem, between gray and blue bands. The livery on second class cars was gray and blue and was yellow on first class cars.
The model is unusual in that the conductor's car accommodated passengers as well. A door existed which, when opened, allowed access to the control panel. A folding seat was attached to the side of the door, allowing for the conductor to be seated. When the door was closed, it hid the control panel allowing for additional space for passengers.
, a forked line whose branches were poorly serviced during off-peak hours and which also had a terminus newly-adapted to the MA model of rolling stock. Trains circulated with two elements during peak hours and one element during off-peak hours.
Ordered belatedly, the MA arrived on line 13 in 1942, and allowed for the extension of the line from Porte de Saint-Ouen to Carrefour Pleyel
.
The MA rolling stock was as loud as the Sprague rolling stock. It was equipped with a modulated pneumatic braking system that was judged acceptable in 1952 but later declared outdated in the 1960s. The RATP lost interest in using only pneumatic cars and as a result the MP 51 was put in service.
Decoupling was abandoned in 1972. The MA continued during the expansions to Champs-Élysées
but was later judged to be too unusual and outdated, and thus retired on line 13.
with six cars permanently attached. A new dark-blue livery was applied similar to that of the MP 73
.
First class was placed in a long car and lighting followed that of the MP 73
. The interior walls contained a blue tint adopted by the MP 73
as well as the new MF 67
E&F. During the 1980s, the door that hid the control panel was removed and the cabins were occupied only by RATP conductors. This resulted in the largest driving cabin of the network.
Unable to accommodate autopilot and equipped with brakes that were too delicate on iron tracks, the MA's replacement with newer-model rolling stock became inevitable. Replacement of the MA began in 1988 and was completed in 1994. Two trainsets have been preserved, one by the RATP and the other by ADEMAS.
Rolling stock
Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...
on the Paris Métro
Paris Métro
The Paris Métro or Métropolitain is the rapid transit metro system in Paris, France. It has become a symbol of the city, noted for its density within the city limits and its uniform architecture influenced by Art Nouveau. The network's sixteen lines are mostly underground and run to 214 km ...
and was in service between 1951 and 1994.
Conception
The MA 51 rolling stockRolling stock
Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...
was a result of research conducted by the Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris
Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris
The Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris , or CMP, was the forerunner of the RATP, the company managing the Parisian subway.- Origin :...
(CMP) and the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) during the 1940
1940s
File:1940s decade montage.png|Above title bar: events which happened during World War II : From left to right: Troops in an LCVP landing craft approaching "Omaha" Beach on "D-Day"; Adolf Hitler visits Paris, soon after the Battle of France; The Holocaust occurred during the war as Nazi Germany...
in response to the then-used Sprague-Thomson
Sprague-Thomson
Sprague-Thomson is the name of the first rolling stock on the Paris Métro made completely of metal.-Research before 1908:In light of the Paris Métro train fire of 1903, the Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris searched for a rolling stock that was both durable and safe. The Thomson...
rolling stock being considered heavy and outdated. The company envisioned a rolling stock that was lighter and equipped with a Jeumon-Heidmann (JH) system that had been used on the Sceaux Line
Ligne de Sceaux
thumb|Old ligne de Sceaux, between [[Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse]] and [[Boullay-les-Troux]]"La Ligne de Sceaux" was a railway line in France running from Paris to some of its southern suburbs, including Sceaux from which it takes its name...
since 1938. In addition, the company hoped to improve braking. The most-used solution at the time was a rolling stock with a common chassis and two cars.
At the same time, the company also desired to have circulating modular trains so that they may have been expanded during peak hours. Lines equipped with stations of at least 75 metres (82 yd) supported trains with two components and those with stations of at least 105 metres (114.8 yd) supported trains with three components. An extension of stations to m yd that began in 1931 was never completed.
Description
Each component of the stock contained three cars resting on four chassis. The central car was shorter than the rest and in 1952 was designated a first classFirst class travel
First class is the most luxurious class of accommodation on a train, passenger ship, airplane, or other conveyance. It is usually much more expensive than business class and economy class, and offers the best amenities.-Aviation:...
car. The stock were equipped with Scharfenberg automatic coupling
Coupling
A coupling is a device used to connect two shafts together at their ends for the purpose of transmitting power. Couplings do not normally allow disconnection of shafts during operation, however there are torque limiting couplings which can slip or disconnect when some torque limit is exceeded.The...
s allowing for quick coupling and decoupling of cars.
Seats were divided into two classes, and fluorescent lighting was used. Folding seats were used at each end to increase the amount of space for passengers.
Initially, the livery
Livery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
was grayish-blue across all cars, however with the introduction of first class in the 1950s, the RATP piloted first class cars in the middle colored red, however this did not catch on. RATP eventually incorporated yellow into the color scheem, between gray and blue bands. The livery on second class cars was gray and blue and was yellow on first class cars.
The model is unusual in that the conductor's car accommodated passengers as well. A door existed which, when opened, allowed access to the control panel. A folding seat was attached to the side of the door, allowing for the conductor to be seated. When the door was closed, it hid the control panel allowing for additional space for passengers.
MA on Line 13
RATP decided to place the MA on Paris Métro Line 13Paris Metro Line 13
Line 13 is one of the sixteen lines of the Paris Métro rapid transit system. The result of the fusion of the now-extinct Line B of the Nord-Sud Company and the old Line 14 of the CMP. Their creation was destined to be replaced by a north-south RER line before the reorganisation of the...
, a forked line whose branches were poorly serviced during off-peak hours and which also had a terminus newly-adapted to the MA model of rolling stock. Trains circulated with two elements during peak hours and one element during off-peak hours.
Ordered belatedly, the MA arrived on line 13 in 1942, and allowed for the extension of the line from Porte de Saint-Ouen to Carrefour Pleyel
Carrefour Pleyel (Paris Métro)
Carrefour Pleyel is a station on line 13 of the Paris Métro in the Saint-Denis plain in the commune of Saint-Denis. It was opened in 1952.The station opened on 30 June 1952 when the line was extended from Porte de Saint-Ouen. It was the northern terminus of the northern branch of the line until 26...
.
The MA rolling stock was as loud as the Sprague rolling stock. It was equipped with a modulated pneumatic braking system that was judged acceptable in 1952 but later declared outdated in the 1960s. The RATP lost interest in using only pneumatic cars and as a result the MP 51 was put in service.
Decoupling was abandoned in 1972. The MA continued during the expansions to Champs-Élysées
Champs-Élysées
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a prestigious avenue in Paris, France. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets and one of the most expensive strip of real estate in the world. The name is...
but was later judged to be too unusual and outdated, and thus retired on line 13.
MA on Line 10
In light of the fact that the métro network still contained many Sprague-model stock in 1974, the RATP decided not to eliminate the MA but instead to modernize it and use it on a line experiencing only light traffic. As a result, the model was renovated and put in service on Line 10 of the Paris MétroParis Metro Line 10
Paris Métro Line 10 is one of 16 metro lines in Paris, France. The line links the Boulogne – Pont de Saint Cloud metro station in Boulogne in the west with the Gare d'Austerlitz, travelling under the neighborhoods situated on the Rive Gauche in the southern half of Paris and the commune of...
with six cars permanently attached. A new dark-blue livery was applied similar to that of the MP 73
MP 73
The MP 73 is a rubber tired variant of electric multiple units used on Paris's Métro system. The cars were delivered in 1974, when the RATP decided to convert Line 6 to rubber tyred pneumatic operation...
.
First class was placed in a long car and lighting followed that of the MP 73
MP 73
The MP 73 is a rubber tired variant of electric multiple units used on Paris's Métro system. The cars were delivered in 1974, when the RATP decided to convert Line 6 to rubber tyred pneumatic operation...
. The interior walls contained a blue tint adopted by the MP 73
MP 73
The MP 73 is a rubber tired variant of electric multiple units used on Paris's Métro system. The cars were delivered in 1974, when the RATP decided to convert Line 6 to rubber tyred pneumatic operation...
as well as the new MF 67
MF 67
The MF 67 is a steel-wheel variant of electric multiple units used on Paris's Métro system. It is the most common Paris Metro rolling stock variant, being used on Lines 2, 3, 3bis, 5, 9, 10 and 12...
E&F. During the 1980s, the door that hid the control panel was removed and the cabins were occupied only by RATP conductors. This resulted in the largest driving cabin of the network.
Unable to accommodate autopilot and equipped with brakes that were too delicate on iron tracks, the MA's replacement with newer-model rolling stock became inevitable. Replacement of the MA began in 1988 and was completed in 1994. Two trainsets have been preserved, one by the RATP and the other by ADEMAS.