The original Class 5M2 trainsets were built for the South African Railways by Metro-Cammell between 1958 and 1960.

[4] The Class 5M2s operate on the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge 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.

A motor coach can carry 56 seated and 110 standing passengers, and has a tare weight of 60 tonnes.

[3] Media related to South African Class 5M2 at Wikimedia Commons