SAR Class 5M2
Encyclopedia
The South African Railways Class 5M2 and Class 5M2A are electric multiple unit
s 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 4447 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.
from an overhead pantograph
; they have a power output of 925 kW and produce 158 kilonewtons (15.9 LTf) of tractive effort
. The maximum speed of a 5M2 trainset is 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 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.
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
s that are used to provide commuter rail services by Metrorail
Metrorail (South Africa)
Metrorail is an operator of commuter rail services in the major urban areas of South Africa. It is a division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa , a state-owned enterprise which is responsible for most passenger rail services in South Africa...
in the major cities of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The original Class 5M2 trainsets were built by Metro Cammell
Metro Cammell
The Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company was a Birmingham, England based manufacturer of railway carriages and wagons, based in Saltley and subsequently Washwood Heath....
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 4447 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 track that is standard throughout Southern Africa. The motor coaches draw 3000 volt direct currentDirect current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
from an overhead pantograph
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
; they have a power output of 925 kW and produce 158 kilonewtons (15.9 LTf) of tractive effort
Tractive effort
As used in mechanical engineering, the term tractive force is the pulling or pushing force exerted by a vehicle on another vehicle or object. The term tractive effort is synonymous with tractive force, and is often used in railway engineering to describe the pulling or pushing capability of a...
. The maximum speed of a 5M2 trainset is 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph). A motor coach can carry 56 seated and 110 standing passengers, and has a tare weight
Tare weight
Tare , from the Middle French word tare "wastage in goods, deficiency, imperfection" , from Italian tara, from Arabic tarah, lit. "thing deducted or rejected," from taraha "to reject" weight, sometimes called unladen weight, is the weight of an empty vehicle or container...
of 60 tonnes. A trailer coach can carry 52 seated and 149 standing passengers, and has a tare weight of 30.5 tonnes.
See also
- Metrorail (South Africa)Metrorail (South Africa)Metrorail is an operator of commuter rail services in the major urban areas of South Africa. It is a division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa , a state-owned enterprise which is responsible for most passenger rail services in South Africa...
- Metrorail Western Cape
- South African Railways
- List of South African locomotive classes