Locomotives of Sri Lanka Railways
Encyclopedia
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
. In 1953, Sri Lanka Railways enhanced its service to more power with diesel locomotives. Since then, various types of diesel locomotives were added to the service.
steam locomotive. 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.
The Railways upgraded its service to diesel locomotives, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala in the mid 1950s. 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
In the 1990s, Sri Lanka Railways converted the narrow-gauge Kelani Valley line
into broad gauge
. 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.
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.
Steam locomotives were used on regular services until the 1950s.
to replace locomotive-hauled trains. They would replace an aging fleet of locomotives.
Sri Lanka Railways
Sri Lanka Railway Department, branded "Sri Lanka Railways", is a key department of the Sri Lankan Government under the Ministry of Transport with a history that begins in 1858...
consist mostly of diesel locomotives and multiple units. Steam locomotives are no longer used, except on heritage trains, such as the Viceroy Special
Viceroy Special
The Viceroy Special is a special passenger train service operated by J.F. Tours & Travels Ltd. Powered by the sole steam locomotive kept in operation in Sri Lanka, it is operated as a private train on all railway lines in the island...
.
The first locomotives pulled trains on the original segment of the Main Line, on 54 kilometres connecting Colombo and Ambepussa
Ambepussa
Ambepussa is a town in the Kegalla District in Sri Lanka Also one more Ambepussa in Gampaha District.- History :The first railroad tracks in Sri Lanka led from Colombo to Ambepussa .- Geography :...
. In 1953, Sri Lanka Railways enhanced its service to more power with diesel locomotives. 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 4-6-04-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular...
steam locomotive. Many more steam locomotives were added to the system, through to the 1950s. All the early locomotives were built in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. 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.
The Railways upgraded its service to diesel locomotives, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala in the mid 1950s. In 1953, the first locomotives from British builder Brush Bagnall were imported. Since then, the Railways have imported locomotives from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
In the 1990s, Sri Lanka Railways converted the narrow-gauge Kelani Valley line
Kelani Valley Railway Line
The Kelani Valley Railway Line, in Sri Lanka, covering the breadth of Colombo District and some parts of Kegalla and Ratnapura Districts is owned, maintained and operated by the Sri Lanka Railways.- History :...
into broad gauge
Indian gauge
Indian gauge is a track gauge commonly used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Chile. It is also the gauge that is used on BART , in northern California.- Scotland :...
. 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.
Liveries
Sri Lanka's locomotives have appeared in several different liveries over the ages. The steam locomotives were mainly black. With the introduction of diesel locomotives, coloured liveries appeared.Numbering
Steam locomotives
- Class A - 4-8-04-8-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-8-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels. The type was nicknamed the Mastodon or Twelve-wheeler in North America....
- Class B - 4-6-04-6-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular...
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 SpecialViceroy SpecialThe Viceroy Special is a special passenger train service operated by J.F. Tours & Travels Ltd. Powered by the sole steam locomotive kept in operation in Sri Lanka, it is operated as a private train on all railway lines in the island...
service. - Class B2 - Sri Lanka's original locomotive No. 1 from 1864 would have been a B2, but scrapped before given this classification.
- Class B1 - Some B1's were the top Governor Class. One B1a locomotive, named "Sir Thomas Maitland", today runs the Viceroy Special
- Class C - 2-6-2+2-6-22-6-2+2-6-2A 2-6-2+2-6-2, in the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives by wheel arrangement, is an articulated locomotive type used on Garratt and Fairlie locomotives...
- Class C1CGR class C1 and C1aThe CGR class C1 and C1a were steam locomotives of the Garratt type built by Beyer, Peacock and Company for the Ceylon Government Railways , now Sri Lanka Railways. The Class C1 prototype was built in 1928 and was followed by 8 Class C1a locomotives in 1946. The C1a class was converted to oil...
GarrattGarrattA Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
s, 1928, coal fired - Class C1aCGR class C1 and C1aThe CGR class C1 and C1a were steam locomotives of the Garratt type built by Beyer, Peacock and Company for the Ceylon Government Railways , now Sri Lanka Railways. The Class C1 prototype was built in 1928 and was followed by 8 Class C1a locomotives in 1946. The C1a class was converted to oil...
GarrattGarrattA Garratt is a type of steam locomotive that is articulated in three parts. Its boiler is mounted on the centre frame, and two steam engines are mounted on separate frames, one on each end of the boiler. Articulation permits larger locomotives to negotiate curves and lighter rails that might...
s, 1944, later converted to oil firing
- Class C1
- 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 - 4-4-04-4-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels...
All scrapped - Class R - Steam railcarsRailmotorRailmotor is a term which was used by several British railway companies for a steam railcar.-Overview:William Bridges Adams started building railmotors as early as 1848, but only in small numbers...
, SentinelSentinel Waggon WorksSentinel Waggon Works Ltd was a British company based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire that made steam-powered lorries, railway locomotives, and later, diesel engined lorries and locomotives.-Alley & MacLellan, Sentinel Works, Jessie Street Glasgow:...
/ClaytonClayton Equipment CompanyClayton Equipment Company Ltd, now known simply as Clayton Equipment Ltd or CEC and CEL, is a locomotive construction company that specialises in locomotives for underground mining operations.-Inception:...
, 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 H1CGR class H1The CGR class H1 was a steam locomotive of the Garratt type built by Beyer, Peacock and Company for the Ceylon Government Railways , now Sri Lanka Railways. Only one locomotive was built and its CGR number was 293....
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)
- Class M1 - Brush Bagnall (United Kingdom) 1,000hp. Currently not in service
- Class M2 - General MotorsGeneral MotorsGeneral Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
G12 locomotivesEMD G12The EMD G12 was a class of locomotive built by GM-EMD, and its Canadian affiliate General Motors Diesel. In addition, Australian licensee Clyde Engineering built ten locomotives for New Zealand in 1957, five for Hong Kong, 23 for Queensland, 14 for Western Australia and seven for BHP. Australian...
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 M9Sri Lanka Railways M9The Sri Lankan Railways M9 locomotive is a mainline 6 axle Co'Co' diesel electric locomotive built by Alstom and imported in 2000 for the Sri Lanka Railways....
- Alstom, several units out of service shortly after introduction due to cost of spares and repair.
- Class W - Main Line Locomotives (Diesel Hydraulic)
- 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)
- S1 - English ElectricEnglish ElectricEnglish Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
(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 GalleGalleGalle is a city situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the capital city of Southern Province of Sri Lanka and it lies in Galle District....
— MataraMataraMatara can refer to:* Matara, Eritrea* Matara, Sri Lanka* Matará, Cangallo Province, Peru...
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 lineKelani Valley Railway LineThe Kelani Valley Railway Line, in Sri Lanka, covering the breadth of Colombo District and some parts of Kegalla and Ratnapura Districts is owned, maintained and operated by the Sri Lanka Railways.- History :...
, 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)
- S11Sri Lanka Railways S11Sri Lanka Railways Class S11 is a diesel multiple-unit train, built for Sri Lanka Railways by RITES Ltd, an Indian state infrastructure corporation. The DMUs are currently being imported in phases, with the last batch arriving in Sri Lanka in March 2012. They were built to replace...
- RITES Ltd (India). Designed with multi class accommodation
- S1 - English Electric
- Class Y & G - Shunters
- Class N & P - Narrow Gauge
- 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.
Locomotives and trainsets on order
In 2010, the railways ordered new trainsets from RITES and CSRCSR
CSR may refer to:In business:* CSR Limited, an Australian industrial company, formerly known as Colonial Sugar Refining Company* CSR plc, or Cambridge Silicon Radio, a British silicon chip designer and software company...
to replace locomotive-hauled trains. They would replace an aging fleet of locomotives.
- 20 Class S11 DMUs from RITES Ltd, currently on delivery in phases.
- 13 long-haul DMUs of different classes from China's CSR Corporation Limited
- 3 locomotives from Diesel Locomotive WorksDiesel Locomotive WorksThe Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi, India, is a production unit owned by Indian Railways, for which it manufactures diesel-electric locomotives and spare parts.-Company:...