Metro de Barcelona: trenes serie 400
Metro de Barcelona: trenes serie 400

Metro de Barcelona: trenes serie 400

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Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

History and Context of the Series 400

The Series 400 of the Transversal Metro of Barcelona has its roots in the mid-1950s, a period characterized by sustained growth in the number of passengers and the development of new infrastructures, such as the line from Sagrera to Horta.

This context urgently demanded an expansion of the metro system's vehicle fleet, opting for models that maintained similarities with the existing Series 200B but incorporating significant technological improvements.

Design and Acquisition

The Series 400 trains were initially planned to operate in three-car configurations, with the provision to extend to four- and five-car formations. Over a decade, the company acquired a total of eighty cars, divided into 60 motor cars and 20 trailers. The diversity in acquisition time resulted in the existence of three different types for the motor cars and two for the trailers.

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

Configurations and Types

  • Type 1: Consisting of ten triple trains, with the first vehicles numbered from 401 to 410 and the trailers R 1-10. They entered service in 1958. Subsequently, in 1964, they were renumbered to maintain an organized system.
  • Type 2: Included twenty motor cars with two cabins, numbered from 421 to 440, differing from the previous model in design adjustments. They began service in 1965.
  • Type 3: Similar in design to Type 2, included ten triple trains with the same configuration of motors and trailers. They began service between 1965 and 1968.

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

Characteristics and Capacities

Each motor car weighed 43,500 kg when empty and 56,045 kg in service, with a capacity for 193 passengers, adjusting to 190 for the two-cabin models. The traction motors were 130 HP, and the vehicle included three braking systems: mechanical, compressed air, and rheostatic electric. The body was entirely metallic, with four large double doors and windows that varied in material and design depending on the type.

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

Operation and Modifications

The first train of the series, consisting of motor car 401, trailer R-1, and motor car 451, made its first official journey on December 23, 1958. The trains began operating in three-car formations, but over time and with infrastructure modifications, such as platform extensions, they adapted to operate in five-car formations. Significant modifications were made to the cabins, lighting, and doors to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the cars.

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

Retirement and Conservation

With the arrival of the new trains from the Series 4000, it was decided to retire the entire fleet of old material. The last regular service of the Series 400 was in October 1989. From then on, they only provided occasional reinforcement service, with the cars being gradually retired and dismantled between 1988 and 1992.

Only motor car M-425 was preserved, although with the plates of M-433. It was stored in the Sagrera workshops due to structural limitations that prevented its movement until 2018, when it was partially dismantled to be taken to the "Railway Triangle" depot, awaiting possible restoration.

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

Restoration of 2024

Due to the need to have material available to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of the Barcelona Metro, in 2024 a restoration project was launched that included five cars from different series, among them the Series 400.

The project contemplated extensive rehabilitation, ranging from cleaning to repairing structural components and aesthetic renovation to restore the car to its original state after its last operation.

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

Barcelona Metro: Series 400 trains

 

MAIN TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Units built60 motor cars and 20 trailers.
Reception years1958/1968
Motor car weight when empty43,500 Kg
Trailer weight when empty28,200 Kg
Motor car weight in service56,045 Kg
Trailer weight in service40,745 Kg
BrakesMechanical (operated by wheel), Compressed air (automatic), and Electric (rheostatic)
Motors4 per car model GDTM-0400 of 130 HP each
Power supplyThird rail, top contact. 1500 V DC
CouplingUnified, Tomlinson, with optional fixed bar
Lighting6 fluorescent tubes
Length between ends16,500 mm
Body width3,140 mm
Passenger capacity30-36 seated and 160 standing