The M1 and MM1 engines, and the cars of the same type constituted the first rolling stock on the Paris Métro. They began service in 1900 and were constructed of wood.
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The original engines consisted of short cars (8 metres (8.7 yd) long) with two axles equipped with a Thomson or Westinghouse system that did not permit them to work in multiple units. As a result, a train set with four cars and one engine serviced only about half of the stations.
Engines with two sets of controls existed on lines 2 and 6, put in service near the end of 1900. Upon arriving at a terminus, the reversible engines would change direction as was common among trams of the time.
In 1901 and 1902, the new series 100 and 200 were equipped with the Thomson-Double system which permitted two engines to work in multiple units (thus trains with eight cars). This proved to be inconvenient as the system functioned entirely on high voltage (600) and the power of the motors were still barely sufficient. In case of a malfunction, the replacement of a damaged train was also problematic.
These defects came to light during the Paris Métro train fire on August 10, 1903, which resulted in the death of 84 people by asphyxiation from the fire's smoke. Twelve cars were destroyed. This incident directly led to the withdrawal of M1 and MM1 trains on lines 2, 5 and 6 after 1914, with their eventual retirement on all lines after 1931.
Trailer car B161 and two M1 motor cars are preserved at the Musée des transports urbains.
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