X'Trapolis Modular

The X'Trapolis Modular is an electric multiple unit operated by Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado (EFE) in Chile. The trains are part of Alstom's X'Trapolis family and were built at the company's Barcelona plant from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2022.

X'Trapolis Modular
Stock type	Electric multiple unit
Manufacturer	Alstom
Assembly	Barcelona, Spain
Family name	X'Trapolis
Constructed	2013-2015 2021-22
Number built	30
Number in service	30
Formation	2 cars
Capacity	96 passengers (standing) 502 passengers (sitting)
Operators	Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado
Specifications
Train length	46 metres (150 ft 11 in)
Width	3.2 metres (10 ft 6 in)
Height	4.6 metres (15 ft 1 in)
Doors	12 (6 on each car, 3 per side)
Maximum speed	120 kilometres per hour (75 mph) [operational] 143 kilometres per hour (89 mph) [design]
Power supply	3 kV DC
UIC classification	Bo'+2'+Bo'
Safety system(s)	ERTMS ATS CTC
Track gauge	Indian gauge (1676 mm)

Overview

History

In 2012, a framework was announced for the Rancagura Express service operated by EFE. Alstom, CAF, and Talgo participated in the tender. In October of that year it was revealed that the tender was given to Alstom. The initial order consisted of 12 trainsets, worth $68 million, all of which went to the Rancagua Express service.^[1]

The trains were built in the Santa Perpètua de Mogoda municipality of Barcelona, Spain. They were sent to the Port of Bilbao to be shipped to San Antonio, Chile.^[2]

The first train was sent from the Port of Bilbao on September 10, 2013. At the same time an additional 12 trains were ordered, with 4 more units going to the Rancagua Express and 8 units going to the Valparaíso Metro.^[3] It marked the first time in more than 40 years that the Rancagua Express received newly built trainsets.^[4]

The first train for the Rancagua Express arrived in San Antonio on October 19, 2013. Right after the train arrived it was transported to the San Eugenio workshop.^[5] The Valparaíso Metro's first two trains arrived in May of 2015.^[6] After all the units for the Valparaiso Metro arrived and testing finished the Valparaiso Metro sets entered service in December of that year.^[7]

An additional 6 trains were built for the Rancagua Express, with the total number of trains going up to 30. It was part of an expansion of the Rancagua Express' fleet. The first 2 of the 6 trains were shipped from the Port of Bilbao in January 2022, with all 6 eventually being brought to Chile in October of that year.^[8]

Design and features

Despite being part of the X'Trapolis family, it uses design elements from Civia units built by CAF and Siemens and operated by Renfe in Spain. The X'Trapolis Modular features 6 doors per car, exterior side screens, and 2 power cars. These features are shared with the X'Trapolis 100.

The X'Trapolis Modular has a standing capacity of 96 and a seated capacity of 502.

Civia 463 of Renfe

X'Trapolis Modular of EFE

The X'Trapolis Modular (right) and Civia (left) use a similar front end design.