In service 1958–present Formation 4–14 cars per trainset | Number built 4447 coaches (5M2A) | |
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Manufacturer Metro Cammell (5M2); Union Carriage and Wagon (5M2A) Constructed 1958–1960 (Metro Cammell); 1962–1985 (UCW) Capacity Motor: 110 standing, 56 seated;
Trailer: 149 standing, 52 seated | ||
The South African Railways Class 5M2 and Class 5M2A are electric multiple units that are used to provide commuter rail services by Metrorail in the major cities of South Africa. The original Class 5M2 trainsets were built by Metro Cammell between 1958 and 1960. Most of those in use today, however, are of Class 5M2A, built to the same design by Union Carriage and Wagon from 1962 to 1985; a total of 4,447 coaches were built by UCW.
Although most of Metrorail's services are still operated by 5M2As, they are being progressively rebuilt into the new Class 10M3, 10M4 and 10M5. Class 5M2A coaches are stripped down to the underframe, which is then used as the base for the Class 10Ms.
Specifications
The Class 5M2s operate on the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) track that is standard throughout Southern Africa. The motor coaches draw 3,000 volt direct current from an overhead pantograph; they have a power output of 925 kilowatts (1,240 hp) and produce 158 kN (15.9 LTf; 17.8 STf) of tractive effort. The maximum speed of a 5M2 trainset is 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph). A motor coach can carry 56 seated and 110 standing passengers, and has a tare weight of 60 tonnes. A trailer coach can carry 52 seated and 149 standing passengers, and has a tare weight of 30.5 tonnes (30.0 long tons; 33.6 short tons).