MF 88
MF 88 trainset at Louis Blanc station on Line 7bis.
Interior of MF 88 trainset
In service1993–present
ManufacturerAlstom, Faiveley, Renault, ANF
ReplacedSprague-Thomson
Constructed1990–1992
Scrapped2013
Number built27 cars (9 trainsets)
Number scrapped3 cars (1 trainset)
SuccessorMF 19
Formation3 cars per trainset
Capacity425 people per trainset
OperatorsRATP
Lines servedParis Métro Paris Métro Line 7bis
Specifications
Train length45.44 m (149 ft 1 in)
Car length15.15 m (49 ft 8 in)
Maximum speed
  • Design: 70 km/h (43 mph)
  • Service: 40 km/h (25 mph)
Traction systemAlstom GTO-VVVF
Traction motors3-phase AC induction motor type 4ELA 2552
Power output840 kW (1,130 hp)
Electric system(s)Third rail, 750 V DC
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
UIC classificationBo'Bo'+2'2'+Bo'Bo'
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The MF 88 (French: Métro Fer appel d'offres de 1988; English: Steel-wheeled metro ordered in 1988) is a steel-wheel variant of electric multiple units used on Paris's Métro system. RATP contracted a consortium of manufacturers, with Ateliers du Nord de la France (now Bombardier Transportation) in charge of the project. They were built following successful tests of a prototype train-set called the "BOA", derived from the MF 77, which tested new features such as open gangway connections between cars to improve passenger distribution and special bogies to reduce friction caused by the sharp curves found in the Métro network. It is planned for the MF 19 rolling stock to replace the MF 88 in 2025.

Design

Carrying on the features of the BOA, a total of nine MF 88 train-sets were built, which currently operate on Line 7bis in a three-car formation. It was the first model with AC motors as opposed to DC and with interconnecting gangways. It was also the last model not newly built with automatic announcements and with user-activated doors (all subsequent models, as well as more recently the MF 77s on Line 13, have had all doors open at once). The high rate of wear-and-tear of the train-sets has made maintenance much more expensive than expected. This is because of the design flaw in the chassis, each bogie only has one axle, similar to a typical car, bus, some rubber-tyred trains (although the rubber-tyred lines of the Paris Métro use the typical 2-axle bogies), or certain railbuses, but unusual for a more “standard” railcar, especially one powered by electricity,

Technical specifications

Formations

As of 1 September 2022, eight MF 88 trainsets were in service and were formed as shown below. One trainset was scrapped in 2013.

As of 1 March 2022, eight trainsets were allocated to Pré Saint-Gervais Depot (Paris) for use on Line 7bis in a 3-car formation (two motor cars, one trailer).

 
← Louis Blanc
Pré St Gervais →
 
 
Car No.123
Type MTM
Designation 88M.xxx88B. xxx88M. xxx
Equipment VVVFCP, SIVVVVF
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References

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