MP59 Stock M3199

Location: Châtelet, Paris, France
Operator of Vehicle: RATP
Date of Photo: March 19, 2008

After a 61 year career, the Paris Metro retired the last of its MP59 rolling stock just a few weeks ago on June 12.  These railcars were introduced to Paris in 1963 when lines 1 and 4 were converted to rubber tired pneumatic operation.  In 1995, some were moved to Line 11, where they remained until the recent retirement of the entire class.  As new rubber tired stock was brought online, first with the MP89 and then the MP05, the oldest or most worn out cars were withdrawn and the remainder were refurbished and shifted around to accommodate the new arrivals.  With the introduction of the MP14 in conjunction with the extension of Line 11 from Mairie des Lilas to Rosny–Bois-Perrier on June 13, 2024, the final run of the MP59 took place the prior day.  The MP14 trains for Line 11 will operate manually, as opposed to the fully automated MP14 rolling stock on Lines 4 and 14.  If you missed out on the opportunity to ride the MP59 stock, the MP68 rolling stock in Mexico City and the NS74 rolling stock in Santiago, Chile are both based off the MP59 design.  

For more photos of Paris Metro’s MP59 Rolling Stock, please click here.