MP73

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The MP 73 is a type of rolling stock used by the Paris Metro system, primarily on Line 6 and occasionally on Line 11. The vehicles were introduced in 1974 and are characterized by their angular design similar to that of the MF 67, as well as their dark blue "bleu roi" livery with lighter gray accents above the windows. The MP 73 has a total of five cars, including two motored cars with driver's cabs, one non-motored car, and two trailers for first- and second-class seating. The bogies are equipped with specialized tires to improve traction on aerial sections during rainy weather. A total of fifty MP 73 vehicles were built in 1974, with services beginning between July 1st and 31st of that year. These cars quickly gained popularity among residents due to their significantly reduced noise levels compared to the older iron-rail Sprague-Thomson trains they replaced. The noise reduction was particularly notable at a distance from buildings, where the MP 73 produced just 67.5 decibels(A) versus 80 dB(A) for the older trains. From February 10th, 1975, onwards, all MP 73 vehicles operated in automated mode. Until 1975, they coexisted on Line 6 with a few remaining Sprague-Thomson cars. Some of these vehicles were initially deployed as reinforcements on Line 4 until 1979 and later moved to Line 11 between 1976 and 1999. On Line 4, the MP 73 cars operated alongside MP 59 vehicles from 1976 to 1979, at which point they were extended to six carriages. One such combination was Rame 6550 (M3599-N4550-A6550-B7050-?-M3600), accompanied by another MP 73 vehicle also lengthened to six cars. On Line 11 in 1976 and 1978, the MP 73 cars appeared alongside older MP 55 vehicles, the first rolling stock built between 1956 and 1958, and were initially configured with four carriages like these earlier trains. The original MP 73 did not have interior windows at driver's cabins or within interconnecting sections. However, these features were later added through subsequent modifications. The MP 73 gained significant fame as a secondary character in the movie Peur sur la ville where actor Jean-Paul Belmondo climbed onto its roof. As of 1996, the RATP initiated a comprehensive renovation program for the MP 73 fleet. The first vehicle to undergo this process was Rame 6529 (M3557-B7029-A6529-N4529-M3558), which received new black front panels similar to those of renovated MP 59 and MF 67 vehicles, as well as improved lighting, and interior furnishings featuring predominantly green colors. By September 1998, a prototype had been completed, after initial trials using Rame 6529. Subsequent renovations were carried out by the Fontenay-sous-Bois and Boissy-Saint-Léger workshops of the RATP combined with those at Cannes La Bocca Industries. The renovation project for all MP 73 vehicles was finalized in 2002, although some continued to operate without these modifications until 2012. In addition, since late 2017, new seats have been installed on the MP 73 fleet, and interior window frames have been coated with a light gray layer, losing their chrome finish as part of broader efforts across the network. It is anticipated that all MP 73 vehicles will be retired by 2021, to make way for MP 89 CC trains operating on Line 4 of the Paris Metro system.