South African Class 5M2
| South African Railways Class 5M2 | |
|---|---|
| In service | 1958–present |
| Manufacturer | Metro-Cammell (5M2); Union Carriage & Wagon (5M2A) |
| Constructed | 1958–1960 (Metro Cammell); 1962–1985 (UCW) |
| Number built | 4,447 coaches (5M2A) |
| Formation | 4–14 cars per trainset |
| Capacity | Motor: 110 standing, 56 seated; Trailer: 149 standing, 52 seated |
| Operators | Metrorail |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
| Weight | Motor: 60 tonnes (59 long tons; 66 short tons); Trailer: 30.5 tonnes (30.0 long tons; 33.6 short tons) |
| Power output | 925 kW (1,240 hp) per motor coach |
| Electric system(s) | 3000 V DC Catenary |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| Track gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge |
The Class 5M2 and Class 5M2A are electric multiple units that provide commuter rail services operated by Metrorail in the major cities of South Africa. The original Class 5M2 trainsets were built for the South African Railways 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 & Wagon (UCW) from 1962 to 1985; a total of 4,447 coaches were built by UCW.
A programme began in the 2000s to rebuild the trains, which were subsequently designated Class 10M3, 10M4 and 10M5. Class 5M2A coaches were stripped down to the underframe, which was then used as the base for the Class 10Ms.