Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) has withdrawn the last 3000 series train remaining in circulation on line 3 of the Barcelona metro. This milestone is part of the renewal of rolling stock aimed at improving the service and eliminating asbestos from the network’s trains.
The last convoy of this series, which has travelled a total of 4,085,946 kilometres since its commissioning on 29 September 1986, has ended its service at Trinitat Nova station. The TMB Foundation will now preserve three cars from this 3000 series: two engines and a trailer, thus adding another piece to its extensive collection of historic vehicles.
To mark the retirement of this emblematic series, TMB has released a video in which it brought together the director of the metro in 1986, Agustín del Castillo, with the head of the metro’s technical office at the time, Ramon Rosell. Both men recalled what the acquisition of the 3000 series meant for the city’s public transport system.
The 3000 series, a revolution in Barcelona’s metro system
The 3000 series, consisting of 18 trains of 5 cars each (4 engines and 1 trailer) and destined for line 3, came into operation between 1986 and 1988 to replace the entire 300 series that ran on this line. The design of the 3000 was very innovative for the time, with a very modern image, and seats designed by the Barcelona interior designer Miquel Milà.
In terms of safety for the user, the most important advance was in the doors, which became sliding, tilting, and with an opening handle for the user; an innovative system for passengers. The alarm device, which incorporated a public address system that allowed direct communication between the passenger and the driver, also brought innovations, as it was no longer linked to emergency braking.
The launch of this new 3000 series was accompanied by a major advertising campaign that was carried out during September and October 1986 under the slogan ‘Barcelona premieres Metro’. More than 4,000 posters, 450,000 leaflets and 400 advertisements in metro advertising media provided information on the technological improvements of the new train and its advantages for users.
