MVG Class A

Every Class A train consists of two permanently-coupled cars, forming a twin-unit. The car at the northern end is numbered 6xxx, while the car at the southern end is numbered 7xxx. The trains are equipped with automatic Scharfenberg couplers, enabling operation of up to three units together to form a six-car train. The Class A was delivered in six batches: • A1: prototype units, fleet numbers 091–093, delivered from 1967 • A2.1: full production units, fleet numbers 101–151, delivered from 1970 • A2.2: full production units, fleet numbers 161–178, delivered from 1974 • A2.3: full production units, fleet numbers 201–253, delivered from 1978 • A2.5: full production units, fleet numbers 301–348, delivered from 1982 • A2.6: full production units, fleet numbers 351–371, delivered from 1983 Most units of the A2.1 and A2.2 series were repainted into a livery similar carried by the MVG Class B. U-Bahn Muenchen Freimann Zugtyp A.jpg|A2.2 series unit in revised livery A1 series Originally numbered 6001–6003, these prototype trains were renumbered to 091–093 from 1970 followed by a general revision of the numbering scheme in 1971. A2 series The first full production A2.1 units were ordered in 1969, with production beginning in 1970. Further units, classified as A2.2–2.6, were built from 1974 until 1983. ==Interior==

Seating accommodation consists of transverse seating bays in 2+2 configuration, providing seating space for 98 passengers, with additional standing space for 192 passengers per twin unit. In order to provide more safety and prevent vandalism, the A2.3 trains were delivered with windows at the inner car ends and the doors to the cabs, allowing passengers to look into the adjacent cars. MVG-TypAInnenraum.JPG|Interior view U-Bahn München, Bildschirme, 3.jpeg|LCD screens inside a Class A train Foliara indikilo en metroa vagono en Munkeno, 1.jpeg|Split-flap line indicator inside a Class A train ==Technical specifications==

The car bodies are made out of aluminium. While the prototypes are fitted with a rubber pad suspension, the full production trains have an air suspension. The full production units also feature reinforced door columns to better support the roof structure. The number of roof-mounted air intakes was raised from eight to twelve from the A2.2 series trains onwards. Contact shoes are fitted on each side of the outer bogies. As all contact shoes are electrically connected, one train can pass through dead sections of up to length without running out of power. The A2.3 series trains introduced a number of improvements, including a newly designed compressed air system and split-flap destination indicators, which were also retrofitted into units of older series, replacing the non-automated destination signs. The Class A trains are powered by resistor-controlled direct-current motors, which are capable of rheostatic braking. Passenger compartments of parked trains can be preheated to up to by applying current on the resistors. One twin-unit has four powered bogies with a power output of 180 kW, bringing the total power output to 720 kW. Experimental thyristor-chopper control set In 1974, prototype unit 093 was converted to thyristor-chopper control, and served as a test train. One goal of the conversion, which was supported by the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology, was to evaluate the use of power recovery technology. After about eight years of testing, the train was scheduled to be refitted with its original control equipment at Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB)s Donauwörth plant. As the experimental control equipment required heavy modifications to the car bodies, MBB couldn't guarantee that the unit would meet the required specifications. Accompanied by the large estimated amount of work and costs, those plans were deemed too uneconomical. Instead, MBB suggested to rebuild the unit with two newly manufactured car bodies. Unit 093 was moved to the Donauwörth plant in July 1982, where all reusable parts were salvaged and built into two new car bodies based on the A2.5 series design. The rebuilt unit was moved back to Munich in 1983, and has been reinstated into service. ==History==

The Class A formed the initial fleet for the opening of the Munich U-Bahn system in October 1971. The first units entered trial service in 1967 on a stretch of track which is now part of the line U6. A total of 194 twin-units have been built between 1967 and 1983, Resale In 2003, six units were sold to the Verkehrsaktiengesellschaft Nürnberg (VAG), which operated them on the Nuremberg U-Bahn system until 2009. The units were renumbered accordingly to the VAG numbering scheme, but retained their Munich blue and white livery. The former identities of the units and their new numbers were as shown below. ==Preserved examples==

• Unit 091: Stored at Fröttmaning depot, awaiting further preservation at the MVG Museum in Munich • Unit 092: Preserved at the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum in Munich (car 6092) • The cab section of car 7149, which was severely damaged in a fire in 1983, is exhibited at the Münchner Feuerwehrmuseum in Munich Münchner U-Bahn, MVG-Baureihe A - (DE) Deutsches Verkehrsmuseum München - 26.04.2014 (14162399666).jpg|Car 6092 at the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum Feuerwehrmuseum München - U-Bahn Typ A ausgebrannt.jpg|Damaged cab section of car 7149 at the Münchner Feuerwehrmuseum ==References==