Trainriding in paris

[trainrider1985]

Would love to do some Trainriding in Paris does anyone know of any route that has decent traction and scenery

 

[tripleseis]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Métro_Line_2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Métro_Line_6

Both run on viaducts in sections. Line 6 is famous for its views of the Eiffel Tower as you cross the Pont de Bir-Hakeim over the Seine.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

RER Line A for the very musical MS61 stock, replacement of which starts this summer.

Some stainless steel EMUs still operate out of Nord and Montparnasse, but they, too, are doomed.

Good elevated view of the whole of Paris from Meudon / Bellevue between Montparnasse and Versailles RG.

Metro 14 = fully see out front like the DLR, but it's an a very fast double track tunnel - spectacular.

 

[northwichcat]

The line 1 out to La Defense has the newest stock out of the Metro lines (assuming the new 2011 stock hasn't come in to use yet.) However, line 1 has 2+1 seating to increase overall capacity so there's more chance of you having to stand.

If you use line 6 note the end destination is frequently referred to as just Etoile.

The RER trains I used seem liked a 1990s version of the type of EMUs BR produced pre-Maggie Thatcher.

 

[The Colonel]

One station to have a look at is Mirabeau on Ligne 10. There are two tracks though the station, but only one platform. Trains only call on the inbound line, which is on the level. The outbound line to Boulogne - Pont de St Cloud goes though the station on a rising gradient of about 1 in 30 and is quite spectacular to see a train enter from the tunnel mouth and climb virtually though the roof of the station. It used to have some older stock on it which really motored through - well worth looking at. Link here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabeau_%28Paris_M%C3%A9tro%29

As above the open air sections are well worth a trip on for the views, esp L6 over the Seine. Passy station is a third in tunnel, a third on the level and a third on the viaduct!! L5 between Gare d'Austerlitz & Bastill is also worth a ride for the toboggan (as its called) at Quai de la Rapee - an S bend with Hornby radius 1 curves.

On the main line there is quite a bit through Villenueve St Georges, both freight & passenger.

For tickets get a Mobilis day ticket as opposed to the Visite Paris card aimed at tourists - its cheaper as you are paying for museum entry fees as well. A study of a map will show you the zones if you want to go out a bit further from the centre on suburban services.

HTH

The Colonel

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The line 1 out to La Defense has the newest stock out of the Metro lines (assuming the new 2011 stock hasn't come in to use yet.) However, line 1 has 2+1 seating to increase overall capacity so there's more chance of you having to stand.

The RER trains I used seem liked a 1990s version of the type of EMUs BR produced pre-Maggie Thatcher.

Line 1 still will have the newest stock... it's getting MP11 stock and the present MP89 stock is to be cascaded, I think to Line 4 but I'll have to check that.

At the moment Line 2 has the newest stock as MF01 has replaced virtually all the MF67 on that line now ( and some MF01 has started to be delivered to Line 5 now ).

Those RER trains you mention sound like they might be MI79 / MI84 stock ( class Z8100 )?

 

[Mojo]

Just out of interest. Is there a reason some of the underground lines in Paris operate with rubber wheels rather than conventional flanged wheels?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes, it's to allow higher performance ( more friction with wide treaded rubber on wide textured metal than with narrow smooth metal wheels on narrow smooth metal rails ).

But it sends the costs through the roof!

Incidentally the rubber tyre stock has flanged wheels as well onto which it drops in the event of a puncture; it also has to drop onto the conventional wheels and rails for crossovers, which is why there is a severe speed restriction on "les pneus" doing crossover maneuvres.

 

[T163R]

Little hello from Paris

Well here are good advices:

Metro line 6: try out all the line, the mojority of the line is established on elevated tracks (it's "my" line )

Metro line 14: fully automatic trains for a small line, very nice nice panoramic view from front and back

RER (regional train) line A: it's a nice suburban train route, good sceneries, especially in the far suburbs (in the SNCF zone)

Transilien (far suburbs regional trains): lots of lines, deserves all Ile de France region

Tramway line 2: a tramway line mainly established on classic train tracks, with good sceneries

Metro line 5: Between Bobigny-Pablo Picasso and Bobigny - Pantin - Raymond Queneau, if you're a good trainspotter (you'll be in a train that will be travelling at 70 km/h (50 mph)), you will be able to take photos (and see ) of the line 5 trains sidings near the Bobigny maintenance garage
Here's a photo (the train on the right is in service): http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Paris-subway-ligne5.jpg

About the informations you guys gave:

@ Peter Mugridge: MS 61 trains just had their third refurbishement, there's no planned withdrawal for the moment. MI 84 wil be replaced soon by MI 09.
About Line 1: MP 89 driver trains will be transfered to line 4 as you said, but will be replaced by MP 05trains.

@ jcollins: The newest trains for now are MF 01 trains on service on line 2, and soon on lines 5 and 9.

@ Mojo: rubber tyre trains are more energy efficient, quieter, more comfortable, more performant (accelerating and braking), and had no fails since its first service (Paris metro line 11 was the first underground line to operate with MP (Matériel Pneu; tyre trains) trains.

I'll find you other advices
When are you coming to Paris ?

 

[Jan]

@ Mojo: rubber tyre trains are more energy efficient, quieter, more comfortable, more performant (accelerating and braking), and had no fails since its first service (Paris metro line 11 was the first underground line to operate with MP (Matériel Pneu; tyre trains) trains.

Yes, it's been a while since I've been to Paris, but I seem to remember that the trains on the rubber tyre lines had a quite impressive acceleration when pulling away.
However I wouldn't think of them as more energy efficient, rubber tyres have a higher rolling resistance than steel wheels, and especially in the tunnels you'll notice the heat generated by them.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

@ Peter Mugridge: MS 61 trains just had their third refurbishement, there's no planned withdrawal for the moment. MI 84 wil be replaced soon by MI 09.

Today's Railways Europe, issue 183, page 9, specifically states that pairs of MI09 will replace MS61 on RER Line A , although it does do the maths and indicates that the 60 units ( = 30 pairs ) on order will be insufficient to completely replace the 120 units ( = 40 triples ) of MS61 stock.

There is also a picture of the first MI09 on test at Velim. It's basically an MI2N with a redesigned front end. ( I have to say I very much prefer riding in Z20500s rather than the cluttered MI2Ns... ).

 

[notadriver]

I think today's modern traction with every vehicle motored can match the performance of tyred stock on a dry day. I also understand crossover speeds are extremely restricted with tyred trains.

 

[T163R]

Today's Railways Europe, issue 183, page 9, specifically states that pairs of MI09 will replace MS61 on RER Line A , although it does do the maths and indicates that the 60 units ( = 30 pairs ) on order will be insufficient to completely replace the 120 units ( = 40 triples ) of MS61 stock.

There is also a picture of the first MI09 on test at Velim. It's basically an MI2N with a redesigned front end. ( I have to say I very much prefer riding in Z20500s rather than the cluttered MI2Ns... ).

Well actually, MI 09 are introduced to replace the old MI 84 trains, not the MS 61, I know what i'm talking about

Yes, it's been a while since I've been to Paris, but I seem to remember that the trains on the rubber tyre lines had a quite impressive acceleration when pulling away.
However I wouldn't think of them as more energy efficient, rubber tyres have a higher rolling resistance than steel wheels, and especially in the tunnels you'll notice the heat generated by them.

Of course, there's a small amount of heat generated by the rubber tyres, but on the MP 59 or MP 73 trains, the strong heat you can feel and smell (!) comes from the regenerative braking

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I'll ask them where they are getting their information from then.

So where are the MI84s going to then? They're hardly life expired - I'd expect them to last another 15+ years?



Edited to add:

Had a reply already... yes, the plan now is to retain the MS61 - something to do with them gobbling up a lot more passengers than the MI84.

Nevertheless, the MS61 are certainly worthy of your attention while you are in Paris.

 

[T163R]

I'll ask them where they are getting their information from then.

So where are the MI84s going to then? They're hardly life expired - I'd expect them to last another 15+ years?



Edited to add:

Had a reply already... yes, the plan now is to retain the MS61 - something to do with them gobbling up a lot more passengers than the MI84.

Nevertheless, the MS61 are certainly worthy of your attention while you are in Paris.

MI 84 are normally going to be scrapped, and maybe less than 10 are gonna go on RER line B

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Just as well I've got all of them for haulage then! I only need those two sets of MS61 for haulage on RER A ( at least until the MI09 enter service! )...

 

[T163R]

I also understand crossover speeds are extremely restricted with tyred trains.

Nope, Paris Metro's maximal speed is 70 km/h (50 mph), and on crossovers, the maximum speed for tyred trains is also 70 km/h (for example Line 6 between Dugommier & Bercy, towards Etoile)