Zébulon (Paris Métro)

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 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.

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.

References

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