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 electrical source, but may also be powered by batteries, hydrogen or diesel-electric power units.^[1]

Models

The X'Trapolis 100 as used in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (top) and in Valparaíso, Chile (bottom).

Current

• X'Trapolis Duplex – Réseau Express Régional (Paris and Île-de-France, France)
  • Locally designated MI 2N;
    • "Altéo" for line A, introduced 1997.
    • "Eole" for line E, introduced 1998. Soon to be replaced by the X'Trapolis Cityduplex.
  • Locally designated MI 09 for line A, introduced 2011.
  • X'Trapolis Cityduplex (aka RER NG) – RER (Paris/Île-de-France), introduced 2023.^[2]
• X'Trapolis 100 – Metro Trains Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) and Valparaíso Metro (Chile). Melbourne version introduced in 2002 and Valparaíso version introduced in 2005.
• X'Trapolis Modular – Valparaíso Metro and Metrotrén (Rancagua Express [es] and Nos Express [es] – Santiago, Chile), introduced 2015. Similar to Civia units used on the Renfe Cercanías (Spain).
• X'Trapolis Mega – Metrorail (South Africa), introduced 2017.
• Transperth C-series – Transperth (Perth, Australia), introduced 2024.
• X'Trapolis Tsíimin K'áak for Tren Maya (Mexico)

Future

• X'Trapolis Ireland (IÉ 90000 Class) – DART (Dublin, Ireland, Irish gauge) First train delivered in 2024, entering into revenue service in 2026. 13 units will be battery-electric.^[3][4]
• X'Trapolis 2.0 – Metro Trains Melbourne (Victoria, Australia), expected to enter service from mid to late 2025.^[5]
• X'Trapolis Tūhono - Metlink (Wellington, New Zealand), ordered September 8, 2025. 18 units for use on outer suburban lines^[6][7]

Cancelled

• X'trapolis UK – Design offered on 15 September 2009 for the Thameslink rolling stock programme.^[8] Bid subsequently withdrawn on 22 October of the same year.^[9]

Manufacturing locations of X'Trapolis trains

Europe

Barcelona, Spain

Production of the X'Trapolis Modular for Chile took place in Barcelona from 2005 to 2013 and again from 2021 to 2022.

Česká Lípa, Czech Republic

The bodyshells for the RER NG are produced in Česká Lípa.

Katowice, Poland

Production for Irish Rail's 90000 Class units started in 2024.^[10] They will be used on the operator's DART+ network in the Greater Dublin area.

The first fully assembled 90000 Class unit was unveiled on November 13, 2024.^[11]

La Rochelle, France

X'Trapolis 100 assembly took place in La Rochelle. Valparaíso's units were all made in the La Rochelle factory while Melbourne's units had their final assembly in Ballarat.

Valenciennes and Crespin, France

Production of the MI 2N, MI 09, and RER NG took place at the factories in Valenciennes and Crespin.

Americas

Ciudad Sahagún, Mexico

Production of all X'trapolis units for Tren Maya happened at the Ciudad Sahagún site.

São Paulo, Brazil

The first 20 units of the X'Trapolis Mega for Metrorail were manufactured in São Paulo. The first two X'Trapolis Mega bodyshells were assembled at the São Paulo facility in May of 2015^[12] with the first São Paulo-built unit delivered in December of that year.^[13]

Africa

Dunnottar, Greater Johannesburg, South Africa

The remaining 580 of the 600 X'Trapolis Mega for PRASA units are being produced by Gibesa in Dunnottar, itself part of the Greater Johannesburg area where the X'Trapolis Mega models are used.

The first Dunnottar-assembled trains were assembled in April 2019^[14], with the 100th train assembled there being delivered in July 2022.^[15]

Asia/Oceania

Ballarat, Australia

Final assembly of Melborune's X'Trapolis 100 units took place in Ballarat unlike in La Rochelle where full assembly of Valparaíso's units took place.

Full assembly of the X'Trapolis 2.0 takes place in the Ballarat North Workshops. The first unit was completed in November 2024.^[16]

Bellevue, Australia

Transperth's C-series trains are constructed in Bellevue, Western Australia.^[17]

References

1. "Commuter trains: the backbone of city life". Alstom. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
2. "New Alstom RER NG starts operation in Paris/ Île de France". Urban Transport Magazine. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
3. "Alstom to supply green trains for Ireland's DART network". Railway Technology. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
4. "DART+ Iarnród Éireann sign contract for new DART+ Fleet". DART+. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
5. "X'Trapolis 2.0 - modern trains for a modern Melbourne". Victorian Government. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
6. "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
7. "New trains for lower North Island to be built by Alstom". Greater Wellington. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
8. "Alstom unveils X'trapolis UK". Railway Gazette International. 17 September 2009.
9. "Alstom out of Thameslink bidding". Railway Gazette International. 29 October 2009.
10. Ryan, Edward (23 November 2024). "First new DART train assembled in Inchicore". The Liberty.
11. "Iarnród Éireann unveils first train of brand new DART+ Fleet". Transport for Ireland. Inchicore Works, Dublin, Ireland. 13 November 2024.
12. "First X'Trapolis Mega cars completed at Lapa". Railway Gazette International. 26 May 2015.
13. "First X'Trapolis Mega EMU arrives in South Africa". Railway Gazette International. 18 December 2015.
14. "South African plant assembles first Alstom-designed trains". RailTech.com. 16 April 2019.
15. "Prasa celebrates the 100th X'Trapolis train". RailwayPRO. 19 July 2022.
16. B., Kate (19 November 2024). "First X'Trapolis 2.0 train rolls off Ballarat production line". Australian Manufacturing.
17. "WA Railcar Program". www.metronet.wa.gov.au. Archived from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.

External links

• Alstom X'Trapolis official site