Locomotives of Sri Lanka Railways
Locomotives and trainsets of Sri Lanka Railways consist mostly of diesel locomotives and multiple units. Steam locomotives are no longer used, except on heritage trains, such as the Viceroy Special.
The first locomotives pulled trains on the original segment of the Main Line, on 54 kilometres connecting Colombo and Ambepussa.[1] In 1953, Sri Lanka Railways enhanced its service to more power with diesel locomotives.[2] Since then, various types of diesel locomotives were added to the service.
History
Sri Lanka's first railway locomotive was Leopold, in 1864. Leopold was a 4-6-0 steam locomotive.[3] Many more steam locomotives were added to the system, through to the 1950s. All the early locomotives were built in the United Kingdom. In 1938, locomotives were reclassified, based on wheel arrangment and gauge. Sub-classification was based on weight, modifications, heating type, boiler capacity, or other features.[3]
The Railways upgraded its service to diesel locomotives, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala in the mid 1950s.[2] In 1953, the first locomotives from British builder Brush Bagnall were imported. Since then, the Railways have imported locomotives from Canada, Japan, West Germany, India, France, and China[4][5][6]
In the 1990s, Sri Lanka Railways converted the narrow-gauge (2 ft 6 in (762 mm)) Kelani Valley line into broad gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm). This was the last narrow-gauge line left in Sri Lanka, and its conversion to broad gauge put the fleet of narrow gauge locomotives out of use. All operational locomotives in the country today are broad gauge.
As of August 2011, Sri Lanka does not have commercially operational electric locomotives or train sets. Electrification has been proposed, to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.[7]
Liveries
Sri Lanka's locomotives have appeared in several different liveries over the years.
The steam locomotives were mainly black. With the introduction of diesel locomotives, coloured liveries appeared.
Numbering
Each locomotive is given a three-digit serial number, that typically follows its class. Locomotives No. 1 to No. 499 are either steam locomotives or numbers reserved for steam locomotives. Most of these have been scrapped. Locomotives No. 500 and above are diesel locomotives or diesel multiple units, including one locomotive experimentally converted to electric traction.[3][8]
Locomotives classification
Steam locomotives
Steam locomotives were used on regular services until the 1950s.[3][2]
- Class A - 4-8-0
- Class B - 4-6-0 Four locomotives are still in working condition.
- Class B1 - Some B1's were the top Governor Class. One B1a locomotive, named "Sir Thomas Maitland", today runs the Viceroy Special service.[3] [9]
- Class B2 - Sri Lanka's original locomotive No. 1 from 1864 would have been a B2, but scrapped before given this classification.[3]
- Class C - 2-6-2+2-6-2
- Class D - 2-6-4T (College Class) Tank locos, all scrapped
- Class E - 0-6-2T Tank locos.
- Class E1 - No. 93 built in 1898 is the oldest surviving steam locomotive in the country - now at Dematagoda Running Shed
- Class F - 4-4-0 All scrapped
- Class R - Steam railcars, Sentinel/Clayton, some were later fitted with small under-floor diesel units and were reclassified T2
- Classes H, J, K, L, V - Narrow Gauge steam locomotives and railcars. This included the class H1 Garratt.
Diesel locomotives
Diesel locomotives of Sri Lanka Railway are categorized into several classes and their sub classes.
- Class M - Main Line Locomotives (Diesel Electric)[10]
- Class M1 - Brush Bagnall (United Kingdom) 1,000hp. Currently not in service
- Class M2 - General Motors G12 locomotives are considered the most successful - being in service since 1954. Almost all locomotives are still operational
- Class M3 - Locally Manufactured 'Jayanthi' Class locomotive. 2 engines (180hp x 2) taken from Class S1 was used for this locomotive. Locomotive is non operational and scrapped.
- Class M4 - MLW (Canada) Alco Bombardier MX620. Longest locomotive in the Sri Lanka. Imported 1975 onwards. Still operational.
- Class M5 - Hitachi (Japan) 1600hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Some locomotives repowered and re-classified as M5B & M5C. Still in operation.
- Class M6 - Henschel Thyssen (Kassel, W. Germany). 1650hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Still operated in long distance Express trains .
- Class M7 - Brush Bagnall (United Kingdom). 1000hp. Imported in 1981 to coincide with Queen"s visit to the Island. Still operated in Coastel line.
- Class M8 - The most powerful locomotive is Class M8 WDM-2, with 2,600 hp.
- Class M9 - Alstom, several units out of service shortly after introduction due to cost of spares and repair.
- Class W - Main Line Locomotives (Diesel Hydraulic)[8]
- Class W1 - Henschel Thyssen (W. Germany). 1150hp. Imported in 1969. Still operated in Colombo commuter & light railway lines.
- Class W2 - Karl Marx Werks (E. Germany). 1500hp. Imported in 1969. Still operated in Colombo commuter & light railway lines.
- Class W3 - 10 Class W1 (Henschel Thyssen) locomotives were completely rehabilitated & re-classified as W3
- Class S - Diesel Push Pull Trains ( S1- S8 Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Units,S9- 11 Diesel Electric & Electro-Diesel Multiple Units)[6]
- S1 - English Electric (United Kingdom). Not in operation and the locomotives were scrapped.
- S2 - Schindler. Not in operation and the locomotives were scrapped.
- S3 - One loco is in Galle — Matara commuter service.
- S4 - Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg, MAN (Germany). Out of service.
- S5 - Hitachi Tourist excursion train. Now it is in Airport Express service, operated by Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited.
- S6,S7 - Hitachi. Very similar in appearance to each other. Operational mainly on the Broad gauged Kelani Valley line, with limited runs on the mainline on less peak time.
- S8 - Hyundai (S. Korea), 1150hp. Imported in 1989. Currently In operation. This DMU has a remarkably high acceleration rate from zero to 60mph.
- S9 & S10 - CSR Diesel Electric MTU (China). Currently in operation. Capable of running with Electrified overhead cables (Pantographs not installed in local units)
- S11 - RITES Ltd (India).[11] Designed with multi class accommodation
- Class Y & G - Shunters [12]
- Class N & P - Narrow Gauge [8]
- One Class N2 locomotive was re-classified as Class E1 after fitting with Alstom pantographs, to be run under electric power. Not to be confused with the steam locomotive E1, this electric locomotive is not in commercial use.[8]
Locomotives and trainsets on order
In 2010, the railways ordered new trainsets from RITES and CSR to replace locomotive-hauled trains.[13] They would replace an aging fleet of locomotives.
See Also
References
External links