MF 77

The MF 77 (; ) is a steel-wheeled variant of the rolling stock used on the Paris Métro. First used in 1978, it now runs on Lines 7, 8, and 13.

Unlike previous models, the MF 77 was designed for travel into the immediate suburbs of Paris, and as a result has a maximum speed of which has yet to be fully utilized. In addition, it sports a new, curved silhouette with a wider midsection. Its original exterior colors, blue and white, led passengers to refer to it as ''le métro blanc'', or white metro.

The MF77 trains are to be replaced between 2027-2036 by the MF 19 trains, first on Line 13 in 2027, then on Line 8 in 2029, and lastly on Line 7 in 2033. After the MF77 trains leave line 7, the entire network will be composed of trains with open gangways, automated announcements and asynchronous motors.

History

Replacing the Sprague

In the early 1970s, upon the completion of the MF 67 delivery, at the time the newest steel-wheeled trains on the Métro, many technological advances in braking and traction caused the RATP, which oversees operations of the Parisian public transport network, to examine the possibilities for new steel, rather than rubber, wheeled trains to replace the aging Sprague-Thomson fleet. Thus, the RATP commissioned a consortium of companies including Alstom, CEM, Creusot-Loire, and Jeumont Schneider, to design a new addition to the Métro's rolling stock, the MF 77.

The RATP's goal at the time of commission was for 1,000 cars, 600 of which to contain engines for 200 five-car sets. Later, the order was reduced to 187 sets for a total for 935 cars. The first trains were delivered in the summer of 1978 and entered passenger service on 26 September that year on Line 13, whose MF 67 trains were transferred to Line 8. A second order of ten sets was contracted on 4 February 1983, released in 1985 and 1986.

The trains on Line 13 recently underwent their mid-life refurbishment, which included a new interior configuration, updated destination signage, lighting and mechanical improvements. However, the RATP was largely dissatisfied with the refurbishment of the Line 13 trains, citing problems with the contractor that handled the work, as well as defects in the workmanship. Though it is expected that the trains on Line 8 will be refurbished next, followed by the trains on Line 7, the RATP will explore other avenues to carry out the work, even if it means that the refurbishment is done on a lesser scale (similar to that of the refurbishment of the MF 67 on Lines 10 and 12).

As of January 2019, trains on the 7 and 8 are undergoing renovation, but on a lesser scale to that of trains on the 13. While seating on board the trains are extremely similar, noticeable differences between the two projects include:
* Keeping the 2X2 (2 forward-facing seats per side) configuration in the middle of each car, instead of going to the 2X1 (alternating 2 forward-facing seats on one side and 1 forward facing seat on the opposing side) configuration seen on the 13. The ends of each car have been fitted with longitudinal seating as their counterparts on the 13 were.
* Retaining the ceiling lighting panels, grates, and other components as opposed to replacing them completely.
* Retaining elements such as handlebars and static strip maps. Some new handlebars were added to each car however.
* Not installing automated announcements, unlike their counterparts on the 13 that are equipped with such announcements, as well as electronic strip maps and door warning lights.

Additionally, renovated trains on the 7 and 8 will sport the new joint RATP/Île-de-France Mobilités (formerly known as STIF) blue/white livery.

Formations

In date of 27 December 2024:
* 195 MF77 trainsets were in service and were formed as shown below, with three motored ("M") cars and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars or 3M2T.
* 68 trainsets on Line 7 based in Choisy (Paris) dépot
* 62 trainsets on Line 8 based in Lourmel (Paris) and Créteil dépot
* 65 trainsets on Line 13 based in Châtillon and Pleyel (Saint-Denis) dépot
* Five cars (M.30138 - B.32138 - NA.31069 - ''B.32154 - M.30154'')was converted to "BOA" experimental train and it was scrapped in 1980.
* Set G009 was scrapped in 2020 following a derailment at Châtillon-Montrouge station.

*CH: Choppers (Kesar system)
* CP: Air compressor
*SIV: Static inverter
* Car 3 was formerly a 1st class car

Fleet

The number of Mf77 trainsets is 195 : 68 for M7 Line, 62 for M8 Line, and 65 for M13 Line

* Listing Fleet Mf77 (in french)

Technical specifications

* Train-sets delivered: 197
* Configuration: M+T+M+T+M (Formation I)
* Overall length:
* Maximum width:
* Weight: — for the motor coaches, for the trailers
* Material: Aluminium alloy
* Power:
* Acceleration: under normal load
* Braking: Dynamic brakes (rheostatic) with regeneration down to , railway air brake with one disc brake on all axles and one brake shoe on the rims of trailer (unpowered) wheels
* Bogies: Cast solid wheel
* Maximum speed:
* Authorized speed:
* Doors: 3 plug doors per side, per car, with manual operation and an opening width of
* Air conditioning: None (forced ventilation)
* Seats: 128 + 118 (folding seats)
* Capacity: 574 people

Gallery

Image:Interior MF77 old.jpg, Old interior
File:MF 77 interieur renove.jpg, Renovated interior (Line 13)
File:MF77 L7 intérieur rénové 2.jpg, Renovated interior (Line 7)
File:MF 77 cabine.jpg, Driver's cab
File:MF 77 - Lecteur de grecque.JPG, Underframe of the front car of a MF 77 train, showing the autopilot equipment
File:CDG RATP Line 7 082 @ Cadet 2023-11-13.jpg, New livery on a refurbished MF 77 train
File:Metro-Paris-Rame-MF77-ligne.jpg, Original livery on an MF 77 train

Other networks

* Lisbon Metro had a forked variant called ML79

References

External links

{{Paris transport network

MF 1977
750 V DC multiple units
Electric multiple units of France
Alstom multiple units
Train-related introductions in 1978