The X'Trapolis Tsíimin K'áak is a

multiple unit A multiple-unit train (or multiple unit (MU)) is a self-propelled train composed of one or more Coach (rail), carriages joined, and where one or more of the carriages have the means of propulsion built in. By contrast, a locomotive-hauled ...

train built by

Alstom Alstom SA () is a French multinational rolling stock manufacturer which operates worldwide in rail transport markets. It is active in the fields of passenger transportation, signaling, and locomotives, producing high-speed, suburban, regional ...

. It is part of the

X'Trapolis The X'Trapolis (also stylized as X'TRAPOLIS) is a series of multiple unit trains designed and built by Alstom. The trains have high floors, and are available in both single- and double-deck configurations. They are typically powered by an external ...

series of suburban trains. It is used on the ''

Tren Maya Tren Maya (Yucatec Maya: , sometimes also Mayan Train or Maya Train) is a inter-city railway in Mexico that traverses the Yucatán Peninsula. Construction began in June 2020 and the Campeche–Cancún section began operation on December 15, 202 ...

'' in

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

, also called ''Tsíimin K'áak'' in

Mayan Mayan most commonly refers to: * Maya peoples, various indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica and northern Central America * Maya civilization, pre-Columbian culture of Mesoamerica and northern Central America * Mayan languages, language family spoken ...

. In total, 42 trains will be built, consisting of 4 to 7 cars. On the morning of August 30, 2023, the first tests of the rolling stock were carried out. On September 1, 2023, tests were carried out between

Campeche Campeche, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Campeche, is one of the 31 states which, with Mexico City, make up the Administrative divisions of Mexico, 32 federal entities of Mexico. Located in southeast Mexico, it is bordered by the sta ...

and

Yucatán Yucatán, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Yucatán, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, constitute the 32 federal entities of Mexico. It comprises 106 separate municipalities, and its capital city is Mérida. ...

History

Proposals

In 2021,

CAF CAF or caf may refer to: Armed forces *Canadian Armed Forces (Canadian Forces), the Canadian Air Force, Army, and Navy *Canadian Air Force, now the Royal Canadian Air Force *Republic of China Air Force, the air force of the Republic of China (Tai ...

and

presented their proposals for the construction of 42 trains that must meet the demand of passengers of the

. The decision on these proposals was announced by the ''Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo'' on 26 May the same year. Alstom would win the contract from the Spanish CAF for 36,563 million pesos, despite obtaining a lower technical score. The French company won the international competition to supply 42 trains.

Construction

The manufacturing of the trains began in September 2022, and the first car was completed in November 2022. The first train was delivered on July 8, 2023. On August 8, 2023, the train moved for the first time. Between August 12 and 13, the first dynamic tests can be carried out, during which 15,000 kilometers worth of tests will be conducted. It is expected that in December of that year 13 trains will be delivered, of which six of them will be fully tested.

highlighted that the first set delivered is made up of 2

motor cars An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy. Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power gene ...

and 2 trailer cars. In total, 42 trains will be built, consisting of 4 to 7 cars. Of these trains, 32 of them will be

electro-diesel multiple unit An electro-diesel multiple unit (EDMU) or bi-mode multiple unit (BMU) is a form of a multiple unit train that can be powered either by electric power picked up from the overhead lines or third rail (like an electric multiple unit – EMU) or by ...

s, 10 will be standard

diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also ...

s. Alstom expects to deliver the last of the 219 wagons that complete the project to the National Fund for Tourism Promotion (Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo, FONATUR) in the last quarter of 2024.

Characteristics

The train cars have closed circuit television, lighting, air conditioning, a cafeteria, bathrooms, internet, Wi-Fi, and large windows, as well as spaces for people with reduced mobility, both in the seats, in the dining room and in the cabins. The trains of this model, from the beginning, already have advanced digital technologies, including a

European Rail Traffic Management System The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is the system of standards for management and interoperation of signalling for railways by the European Union (EU). It is conducted by the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and is the o ...

(ERTMS), to provide optimal efficiency and high levels of safety. In addition, HealthHub and TrainScanner, digital solutions for predictive maintenance, will be deployed, enabling continuous monitoring of the conditions of different train components, signalling and infrastructure to ensure maximum reliability and availability, while optimising the lifecycle costs of each train car. In other words, this will serve to optimize the preventive and corrective maintenance of the formations as well as to make the work of the driver who will be in charge of assuming the command of the train more efficient.

Train types

For the ''Tren Maya'', these formations come in 3 different configurations depending on the type of service to be occupied: *''Xiinbal'' ("to walk" in

): standard configuration composed of trains from 4 cars (capacity 230 passengers) to 7 cars (430 passengers). This configuration is made for intercity transport aimed at the common public and tourism that requires mobility at a cheaper cost. This formation can integrate a cafeteria (31 formations between both numerical configurations). *''Janal'' ("to eat" in Mayan): standard configuration composed of trains of 4 cars (140 passengers) differs from the previous configuration by the addition of a restaurant car and in which dishes from the region it serves can be served and tasted (8 formations without changes in their size). *''P'aatal'' ("to remain" in Mayan): standard configuration composed of trains of 7 cars (260 passengers). This is a setup focused on long-distance travel. It has single cabins with seats that can be converted into a bed equipped with a toilet and shower. It also has a restaurant car (3 formations without changes in size). The ''Tren Maya'' offers service in tourist class and premier class.

References

{{Reflist Alstom multiple units Rolling stock of Mexico Train-related introductions in 2023