Ganz MFAV: Hungarian retro metro car

Ganz MFAV

The Ganz MFAV (alternatively known as FAV or MillFAV) is a type of metro car which was manufactured by Hungarian companies Ganz-MÁVAG Mozdony-, Vagon- és Gépgyár and Ganz Villamossági Gyár. The MFAV metro cars are articulated, 8-axle rail motor coaches with an unusual 2’Bo’Bo’2’tr axle arrangement. They are not capable of operating as electric multiple units. The cars were manufactured in Budapest between 1971 and 1973 and in 1987, and including the two prototype cars, in overall 23 units were made.

The MFAV designation resolves to Millenniumi Földalatti Vasút (“Millennial Underground Railway”), FAV and MillFAV refers to the same phrase, as the cars were specifically designed to replace the original, turn-of-century Schlick–Siemens & Halske rolling stock of Budapest’s M1 metro line. MFAV metro cars are still in active service, although their retirement has been called for. The first car entered passenger service in 1973, thus the type is now in continuous service for 52–53 years. The series carries the distinction of being an early example of fully low-floor urban rail vehicles.