The trains of Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) have renewed their exterior vinyl ing due to the deterioration caused by the passage of time and vandalism graffiti, and have recovered their historical blue colour. The public railway company has begun this week to gradually paint all the trains of the 8100 and 7100 (metro) series as well as a diesel unit of the 6100 series kept by the railway company with this new image.
A total of 19 trains are involved, the entire SFM fleet except for the five new quadruple units incorporated this year as they are in perfect condition and those of the 9100 series (train-tram), which will not be renewed for the time being as they are currently in good condition.
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The first of SFM’s trains with new blue vinyl begins running
Currently, the vehicles of the 8100 series have most of the outer plate painted and only small parts of their design with a vinyl coating. They are in a significant state of deterioration, caused mainly by the multiple vandalism graffiti they have suffered. As for the 7100 series units (metro), although also deteriorated, they currently have a better visual appearance in general, as their outer panels are 100% vinyl-coated.
The painting or varnishing of train units protects the metal from which they are made and provides an aesthetic identity for the service, which is why it is important to keep them in good condition. There was a latent need to renew the exterior of the vehicles, due to their current poor condition due to different causes: the passage of time since the last renovation, vandalism, cleaning work and small accidents.
So, taking advantage of this need, the company decided to recover the historic blue design of the units that ran on its lines for many years, mainly in the 60s, 70s and 80s, adapting it to the current times and using the corporate colours of the SFM brand.
The contract for the vinyl covering of all these units was awarded on 10 October last for 419,700 euros (excluding VAT) to the company NTA IBERICA, S.L.U. and has a completion period of 12 months. The vinyl used has fire-resistance and vandalism-resistant certifications, as well as a long life estimated at more than five years.
Vinyl vs. paint
The decision to opt for complete vinyl coating of the exterior of trains rather than painting is based on several reasons. Firstly, paint does not withstand the damage caused by vandalism, which requires very aggressive cleaning, as well as vinyl, and vinyl is much easier and less costly to clean.
On the other hand, vinyl coating of the units is easier to carry out than painting, has less ecological footprint and optimises maintenance, as it is much easier and less costly to replace vinyl cloths than to repaint the units.
Diesel unit
As for the diesel unit, although it is not in commercial service, its current condition is seriously worse than those of the other series. This is due to its age, to the fact that it is made of a common steel plate and because vandalism has been very frequent on this train. Given that it is to be used as a museum and for cultural activities, it has been considered appropriate to take advantage of the occasion to repair it, protect it and paint it in the original colours of the series, from the 1990s.
With this change of image, SFM also intends to make a gesture to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the railway in Mallorca, an event that will take place on February 24th next year. The change in the exterior design has the approval and support of the Association of Friends of the Railway, the Ferrocaib Foundation and the Club Ferroviario Vaporista, the main entities that watch over the historic railway heritage of Mallorca.