Zébulon (Paris Métro)
The Zébulon was a stainless steel prototype of the MF 67 series of rolling stock used on the Paris Métro. It was delivered to the RATP in May 1968.
| Zébulon (MF 67) | |
|---|---|
 The Zébulon at the RATP training centre, Gare du Nord USFRT | |
| In service | Retired |
| Manufacturer | Brissonneau and Lotz and CIMT |
| Number built | 6 cars |
| Formation | 5 car composition (Though there was an unused 6th car) |
| Operator(s) | RATP |
| Line(s) served | Used for training purposes only |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | Motor car: 15,145 mm (49 ft 8.3 in) Trailer 14,390 mm (47 ft 2.5 in) |
| Width | 2,400 mm (7 ft 10.49 in) |
| Maximum speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) (Design) 70 km/h (43 mph) (Service) |
| Power output | 1,272 kW (1,706 hp) (Twin-motor) 1,080 kW (1,448 hp) (Single-motor bogies) |
| Electric system(s) | 750 V DC Third rail |
| Current collection method | Contact shoe |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The RATP used the Zébulon, which gained its nickname from the fact that it was stainless steel, primarily for training purposes. It was never utilized for regular passenger service. The design of the Zébulon resembled that of the MF 67 A-series, but the stainless steel design of the train made it very difficult for the RATP to maintain, and was extremely susceptible to vandalism. Both of these reasons eventually led to the train's demise.
The Zébulon was composed of five cars, although there was a sixth car that was unused. The composition consisted of M.10003 + N.11003 + NA.12002 + N.11004 + M.10004. The train was also equipped with twin bogies.
Although the Zébulon spent most of its time (roughly 30 years) at the RATP training centre, it briefly circulated on Lines 3, 7, and 9. In 2010, the train succumbed to heavy vandalism and was deemed to be beyond repair. The RATP scrapped the train in 2011, with the exception of one motor car, M.10004, which is kept at the workshop Choisy. The training centre is now equipped with seven MF 67 E cars from Line 2.
Inside the Zébulon, in 2006.
A motor car.
References
- The information in this article is based on a translation of the French language article equivalent.
External links
