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NS 93

Santiago Metro train

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The NS 93 (Neumático Santiago 1993) is the third generation of rubber tired rolling stock used on the Santiago Metro system. The trains were manufactured by GEC Alsthom in 1996 and went into operation in 1997. Originally designed for use on Line 5, the trains first operated on Line 2 prior to the opening of Line 5, and today work on the lines 1 and 5.

01Features

The NS 93 series is based on the design of MP 89 series from the Paris Métro, along with sloped ends, automatic doors and through gangways from car to car. However, the NS 93 is slightly taller than the MP 89 to accommodate air conditioning, and they operate in 6 or 7 car formations on Line 5 (S-N-NP-N-N-S or S-N-NP-N-R-N-S) and 8 car formations on Line 1 (S-N-N-NP-N-R-N-S). As a result, the trains can operate in six-car 90-meter (295 ft 3 in), seven-car 105-meter (344 ft 6 in), and eight-car 120-meter (393 ft 8 in) lengths, depending which line they are assigned to. The length of each car is 14.88 meters (48 ft 10 in) (15.38 meters or 50 ft 6 in for cars containing the driver's cab).

The interior of the NS 93 has a cream white scheme with orange plastic seating. Each trainset is also equipped with a train speed surveillance system (SACEM), which the MP 89 does not have. In 2010, automated station announcements were added to all trains. Since 2016 some trains are equipped with CBTC for better frequency in Line 1.

02Other Specifications

  • Tread safety wheels: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
  • Drive System: Four three-phase asynchronous AC motors (1 motor per bogie)
  • Engine power: 2.400 kW (3.218 hp)
  • Acceleration: 1.25 m/s2 (4.1 ft/s2)
  • Year of manufacture: From 1996 (N2051) until 2003 (N2084)

03Incidents

On February 7, 2012, a train entering Lo Ovalle depot derailed near a condominium complex and playground. The train was not in service at the time and was only operating in testing mode following repair work. No injuries were reported, but the train and surrounding property, including four vehicles, suffered substantial damage.

On September 11, 2015, a NS-93 was burned on Line 1 at Manquehue Station. No people were injured.

On May 17, 2022, an electrical failure from a NS-93 produced an electric arc and burst on Line 1 at Las Rejas Station, where two people were injured, 3 years later the damaged train was repaired and sent back to passenger service in Line 1.

Watch videos about NS 93Explainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article NS 93, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

Images, from Wikimedia Commons:

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