Fiat-Materfer (Buenos Aires Underground)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway rolling stock manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Fiat Ferroviaria (subsidiary relationship) |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Products | Train units, rolling stock |
| Parent | Fiat Ferroviaria (at time of 1980s production) |
The Fiat-Materfer train units for the Buenos Aires Underground were manufactured beginning in 1980 by the Argentine firm Materfer, which at the time operated as a subsidiary of Fiat Ferroviaria. The project aimed to unify the various types of rolling stock across all subway lines. Nevertheless, the production was constrained by economic and political turmoil following the end of the National Reorganisation Process in 1983. During the 2010s, these trains functioned as interim vehicles on two lines before being gradually replaced by more modern models imported from abroad.
History and overview
By the end of the 1970s, the Buenos Aires Underground was running an assortment of outdated rolling stock due to its incremental development by multiple manufacturers. Implementing a standardized fleet became crucial to minimize maintenance expenses linked to managing different models. The system faced technical challenges such as inconsistent electrification standards—Line A operated at 1100 V until its upgrade to 1500 V in 2013, while other lines used 1500 V—and diverse power supply methods, including third rail on Line B versus overhead catenary systems elsewhere.
In response, Materfer unveiled a prototype in 1978 designed to operate under varying voltage conditions, although this did not apply to Line B, which remained independent. Production mainly focused on Line E throughout the 1980s. However, Argentina’s economic hardships during that period prevented extensive rollout across all lines due to insufficient funding for new train acquisitions.
Current use
The Fiat-Materfer units have since received both aesthetic and technical enhancements, such as incorporating Automatic Train Protection systems and prerecorded station announcements—features that were initially absent. At one point, these trains composed the entire fleet on Line E, but during the 2010s they served temporarily on Line D and Line A alongside newer rolling stock until replacements were delivered. Following the introduction of the Buenos Aires Underground 300 Series, most Fiat-Materfer vehicles were placed into storage, with intentions to redeploy them on Line E’s extension to Retiro, though many units were reassigned to Line H instead.
On Line D, Fiat-Materfer trains supplemented the existing fleet alongside Alstom Metropolis vehicles. Initially, Alstom was expected to fully equip this line starting in 2001; however, due to the Argentine economic crisis between 1998 and 2002, only 80 cars were procured initially. Additional Alstom trains were purchased in 2008 and again from 2015 to 2016, enabling the gradual phase-out of Fiat-Materfer units.
Likewise, after retiring the historic La Brugeoise cars from Line A in 2013, only 45 new CITIC-CNR cars had been delivered at that time. This shortage necessitated temporary deployment of Fiat-Materfer units until all 150 new CNR trains arrived by 2017. Although Line A’s voltage was upgraded to 1500 volts in 2013 to support CNR trains, the Fiat-Materfer’s voltage-switching capability was never put into operation before their decommissioning.
See also
- Buenos Aires Underground rolling stock
- Buenos Aires PreMetro – operates trams built by the identical manufacturer
- Fabricaciones Militares – another principal Argentine producer of rolling stock for the Underground system
- Moebius (1996 film) – includes appearances of Fiat-Materfer trains