Sri Lanka Railway - Class M4 Locomotives

CLASS M4

MLW (Canada) Alco Bombardier MX620. This is the longest locomotive in the SL Roster. It was imported 1975 onwards. All units still operational. Can not go upcountry line beyond Nawalapitiya, since its bogie wheel base (11′ 2″) is exceeding 10′ 7″, standard for upcountry line. Normally it is not going beyond Polgahawela on main line.

• Builder : Montreal Locomotive Works Canada
• Imported : 1975
• Weight : 93 tons (97)
• Engine Model : MX-620
• Power : 1750hp Alco Bombardier V12 12-251C3 (4 stroke) (originally 2000hp)
• Maximum Speed : 104 kmph (limited to 65kmph)
• Axle Arrangement : Co-Co
• Bogie Wheel Base : 11′ 2″ (ie. distance between front and rear axle of a bogie)
• Total number of locomotives = 14
• Livery : Dark blue, Light blue, Silver and Yellow strip
  • Special ICE livery was on # 752 “Point Pedro”. Now normal livery.

Number	Name	Remarks
743	Madhu
744	Sigiri
745	Ruwanveli
746	Namunukula
747	Kelani
748	Walawe
749	Dunhinda
750	Isurumuni
751	Diyaluma
752	Point Pedro
753	Samanala	Dynamic Breaks Added
754	Menik	Dynamic Breaks Added
755	Mahaweli	Dynamic Breaks Added
756	Laxapana	Dynamic Breaks Added

Sri Lanka Railway - Class M3 Locomotives

Class M3

SRI LANKA RAILWAYS (Sri Lankan) Locally Manufactured ‘Jayanthi’ Class locomotive. Build in shunting purpose in 1956 in Ratmalana Railway Workshop under guidance of cheif engineer Mr. Raj Gopal. 2 engines (180hp x 2) taken from Class S1 (imported in 1938, phasing out of service after 1955) was used for this locomotive. Maiden journey on 05th of September 1956. Declaired open by Maithreepala Senanayaka, Minister of Transportation, 1956 government. Locomotive is non operational and scrapped.

• Builder : Sri Lanka Railway
• Weight : 46 tons
• Power : Williams & Robinson-Type-H6
• Generator: English Electric 6 cylinder 180hp x 2 (4 stroke)
• Axle arrangement : Bo-Bo
• Gauge : 5′ 6″
• Maximum speed : 55mph
• Brakes : Vacuum
• Total number of locomotives = 2 (589 and 590)
• Livery : Dark blue, Light blue, Silver and Yellow strip

When 590 engine was manufactured in Rathmalana same numbered loco was manufactured in Canada (first engine of M2a batch). So M2a was renumbered as 591 which was named after Canadian provincial name “Manitoba”.

Sri Lanka Railway - Class M2 locomotives

Loco Builder                           : General Motors

Engine Builder & Model        : General Motors GM 567 12C

Power                                      : 1425 h.p.

Max Speed                              : 112 Km/h

Dead Weight                           : 79 ton

Length                                    : 43”

Wheel Arrangement               : A1A-A1A

Introduced Year                     : 1954-1955

No Range                                : 569-573

No of Locos                            : 05

         Loco No                                 Used Name

          569                                          Ontario

          570                                          Alberta

          571                                          Saskatchewan

          572                                          British Colombia

          573                                          Quebec

The Sri Lanka Railways M2 is considered as the most successful locomotive used in Sri Lanka.^{[citation needed]} It is aGeneral Motors Diesel (Canada) EMD G12 model using the EMD 567C, 1,425-horsepower (1,063 kW) engine. Imported to Sri Lanka from 1954 onwards. Almost all locomotives are still operational. From 1954, several batches of General Motors-manufactured locomotives were imported to Sri Lanka under "The Colombo Plan". Locally called a "Canadian" engine – there are actually two classes of Canadian engine in SLR – the other one is Class M4. Since these engine were imported under grants from the Canadian government, class M2 locomotives are named with Canadian province and city names. The last two locomotives were made in the United States and imported for Cement Corporation, Sri Lanka. But they were later attached to Sri Lanka Railways locomotive fleet. They were named after two local cities – Galle and Kankasanthurei – where the cement factories were located.

Sri Lanka Railway - Class M1 locomotives

Loco Builder                           : Brush Bagnall in England

Engine Builder & Model        : Mirrlees - J V S 12

Power                                      : 1000 h.p.

Max Speed                              : 88 Km/h

Dead Weight                           : 88 ton

Length                                    : 50” 9’

Wheel Arrangement               : A1A-A1A

Introduced Year                     : 1953-1956

Withdrawn Year                    : 1980-1984

No Range                                : 539-563

No of Locos                            : 25

Introduction

In the 1950s Sri Lankan railway was seeking replacements for old rolling stock, routine replacement of which had been delayed by the World War II. Specifications were for 25 locomotives with 750 hp (559 kW) power at the wheel, available from 12 mph (19 km/h) upwards, and up to an altitude of 6,200 ft (1,900 m).^[5] The train was expected to be used for suburban trains centered on Colombo, as well as mail trains in the north of the country, and trains in hill areas: approximately requirements were for a vehicle capable of pulling 550 long tons (560 t) at 18 mph (29 km/h) on a gradient of 1 in 44 on track with 5-chain (330 ft; 100 m) reverse curves; preferably within a 80 long tons (81 t) locomotive weight on 6 axles (A1A-A1A). Several firms tendered for the contact; American suppliers were unable to enter a competitive bid due to the devaluation of the both the rupee and British pound.^[6]

Brush offered a locomotive with 1,000 hp (746 kW) power, and a generator output of 625 hp (466 kW), capable of multiple working,^[7] and was awarded the contract.^[5] Five locomotives were supplied (deliveries beginning Jan. 1953) for operational testing – Brush had not been able to fully stress test the units in England due to an absence of a full scale5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) test track.

During testing engine overheating was found to be a serious problem on the steeply graded and curving mainline. Other issues requiring attention included fuel pump problems including air-locks, and bogie frame cracking. The electrical circuit fortorque control was also modified.^[8]

The remaining twenty locomotives, with modifications required to resolve the issues found during testing were delivered from May 1954, at a rate of approximately 1 per month.^[9]

Old locomotive

Sri Lanka Railway - History 2

Railway Network Introduced by the British Government for Transport Tea and Coffee from Hill country to Colombo.

1858 - First Sod of the SLR was cut by Sir Henry Ward (1858 August).

1864 - First Train Service begin from Colombo, Henarathgoda (Gampaha) to Abepussa.(1864 December 27) - 54Km

1867 - Extension was made to Kandy.

1874 - Extension was made to Nawalapitiya.

1880 - Railway Line to Mathale.

1885 - Extension was made to Nanuoya.

1894 - Extension was made to Bandarawela.

1895 - Costal Railway Line (Southern Railway Line).

1905 - Northern Railway Line.

1906 - Railway Operating Department was divided in to 3 Divisions. namely Colombo, Anuradhapura, Nawalapitiya

1914 - Manner Railway Line.

1919 - Kelani Valley Railway Line.

1924 - Extension was made to Badulla.

1926 – Puttalam Railway Line.

1928 - Batticaloa - Trincomalle Railway Line.

1959 - Color Light Signaling and centralized Traffic control system was started.

Source - http://www.railwaymuseum.lk

Sri Lanka Railway - History

 Presently the Sri Lankan Railway network consists of 1,508 kilometres with5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge. The narrow gauge lines were 2 ft 6 in (762 mm). The railway contains some of the most magnificent scenic rail routes in the world. Particularly the Main Line winding through both natural beauties such as waterfalls, natural forest mountains, misty peaks and precipices, as well as man made festoons such as tea estates, pine forests and engineering feats including bridges and peak level stations.

History

Beginnings

Early steam powered train on the hill-country Colombo-Badulla railway line

The railway network was introduced by the British colonial government in 1864. The main reason for building a railway system in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) was to transport tea and coffee from the hill country to Colombo. Initially the service began with the Main Line of 54 kilometres connecting Colombo and Ambepussa.^[3] Sir Guilford Lindsey Molesworth became the first chief engineer and later Director General of the government railways. During this time, many Sri Lankans referred to the trains as the Anguru Kaka Wathura Bibi Duwana Yakada Yaka^[4](the coal-eating, water-drinking, sprinting, metal yaks).

Extensions were made to the main line in 1867, 1874, 1885, 1894 and 1924, extending its service to Kandy, Nawalapitiya, Nanu Oya, Bandarawela and Badulla, respectively.^[5] Many other railway lines were added to Ceylon Railway System within the first century of its life, such as a line to Matale in 1880, Coast Railway Line in 1895, Northern Line in 1905, Mannar Line in 1914, Kelani Valley in 1919, Puttalam Line in 1926, and Railway Line to Batticaloa and Trincomalee in 1928. For more than 80 years after that,^[6] no more major extensions were added to the Sri Lankan (Ceylon) railway network as the British left the country for independent rule.

Golden era

Though the British established the railway system, the golden era of Sri Lanka Railways was during 1955–1970 under the management of B.D Rampala, the most respected chief mechanical engineer and later General Manager of CGR.^[4] Rampala worked to maintain punctuality and improve comfort. He led the upgrading of major railway stations outside Colombo, and the rebuilding of the track in the Eastern Province to facilitate heavier and faster trains. He launched express trains, many of which were given iconic names. In effect, he ensured that Sri Lanka's railway system was up-to-date in technology and offering greater comfort to its passengers.^[4][7]

Till 1953, Sri Lankan Railway served with steam locomotives. In the golden era, it enhanced its service to more power with diesel locomotives, under the leadership of Rampala.^[7]Various types of diesel locomotives were added to the service.

Decline

In the late 20th century, the railway started to decline. For three decades, it suffered from neglect and poor treatment.^[8] By this time, the Sri Lankan economy was focused more on industries than plantation agriculture. The road network also grew. With the growth of lorries and highways, which were a faster means of transporting goods, the amount of goods transported by the railways declined. The railways became an enterprise generating a heavy loss.

During this time, SLR failed to keep up with technological innovations seen in other railways abroad. Issues of travel time, reliability, and comfort caused it to lose much of its market share of passenger transport. By 2011, its share of the market was only seven percent.^[4]

Rebirth

New Class S12 trainsets were imported in 2012

In the early 2010s, the government launched a 10-year Railway Development Strategy to bring the railway back to satisfactory condition.^[4][8] It started by ordering new diesel-multiple units (DMU) to replace the current trains.^[8][9] In 2010-2012, the railway upgraded the track on the Southern line, which was damaged in the 2004 tsunami. The track was upgraded to handle trains at 100km/h, allowing for shorter journey times.^[10] It is also currently rebuilding the Northern line, which suffered from war for almost three decades. The line is planned to return to Jaffna and Kankesanturai.^[11] The railway is also extending the Southern line from Matara to Kataragama, in order to serve the growing city of Hambantota.^[6]

In 2011, Sri Lanka Railways began partnerships with ExpoRail and Rajadhani Express to launch premium services on major routes

Source - wikipedia.org