Renfe 590 (9160): Spanish self-propelled railway vehicle

RENFE 590 / 9160 (previously WMD 51–57)

RENFE 590-162-4 (previously NORTE WMD 52 / RENFE 9162)

RENFE 9161–9167 is a series of seven Spanish railcars owned by the national railway company Renfe. Classified according to modern UIC standards, these trains belong to the 590.161–167 series.

The cars were assembled by Material Móvil y Construcciones in Zaragoza for Norte.

RENFE 590-165 (previously NORTE WMD 56 / RENFE 9165)

History

In the 1930s, railway companies began to purchase cars with internal combustion engines on low-traffic lines, as they were more economical to operate than steam locomotives.

In 1933, the Northern Company (Compañía del Norte) purchased seven railcars, which were subsequently classified as the WMD 51–57 series (later renamed RENFE 9161–9167). These two-axle railcars had a mechanical transmission and a Maybach engine with 150 HP, which allowed them to reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h. The cars were divided into two classes: at the front was the 2nd class, known as “preferente”, and in the middle was the 3rd class, known as “general”.

In the 1950s, the vehicles underwent a major overhaul, during which new Pegaso engines were installed and the interior was completely renovated. In addition, the railcars were given the characteristic silver paint with a green stripe that was typical of RENFE at the time.

In 1983, all the railcars were decommissioned and scrapped, with the exception of one, railcar 590-162-4 (9162). It has been restored and is now part of the permanent exhibition of the Madrid Railway Museum.