| Metrorail commuter trains are usually made up of as many as 11 to 13 wagons, of which three are motor coaches, one at each end and the third in the middle of the train. The type 3 coaches appeared on the scene when the use of train conductors as ticket examiners was discontinued. They have one set of sliding doors, with five windows between the motor compartment and the door set.This picture shows Darwin Award candidates on the Kaalfontein to Tembisa run. Trainsurfing has become an often fatal fad around Johannesburg and the ultimate macho thing is to ride on the roof, standing upright while dodging catenary poles and keeping clear of the 3,000 volt cable while the train speeds along at between 80 and 100 km/h. Note the surfer in dark green between the second and third last coaches, whose feet are mere inches from the ballast, even with his knees pulled up. (A slightly larger copy of this picture is at http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=201572).SAR Class 5M2A, Horsepower 1216, Length over headstocks 60' 3 5/8" (18.380m) or later models 60' 10 7/8" (18.564m), Height 12'0" (3.660m), Width 9'3" (2.820m). |