Locomotives of Sri Lanka Railways

Locomotives and train sets 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 (34 miles) 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. It was one of seven 4-4-0 locomotives built that year for the Ceylon Government Railway by Robert Stephenson & Company (nos. 1–5) and Beyer, Peacock & Company (nos. 6 and 7).[3] Many more steam locomotives were added to the system, through to the 1950s. All the steam locomotives bar three were manufactured in the United Kingdom; the exceptions were three 4-4-0s built at the railway's Maradana Works near Colombo in 1900 and 1905. In 1938, locomotives were reclassified, based on wheel arrangement and gauge. Sub-classification was based on weight, modifications, heating type, boiler capacity, or other features.[4]

Throughout its history, Ceylon Government Railway had 410 steam locomotives.[5]

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[6][7][8]

In the 1990s, Sri Lanka Railways converted the narrow gauge (2 ft 6 in (762 mm)) Kelani Valley line into 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) 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 March 2022, Sri Lanka does not have commercially operational electric locomotives or train sets. Electrification has been proposed, to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.[9]

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. Typical for many locomotives is a livery that has thick horizontal bands of dark blue, light blue, silver and a yellow stripe. Also common for many locomotives is a livery of horizontal bands of green, brown, and a yellow stripe.

The DMUs are painted in various liveries, unique to their classes. Typically, they feature horizontal bands of colour running their entire length and a solid colour on the front and back ends.

ICE livery

M6 ICE locomotives have a unique ICE livery of brown and orange.

Numbering

Steam locomotives were numbered from 1 upwards, reaching 161 in 1911. Whereafter replacement locomotives were given the same number as the locomotive that they replaced with an "R" prefix; until such time as the old locomotive, now running with an "O" prefix, was finally withdrawn.[10] This system was abandoned in 1928,[10] with new locomotives being numbered from 249 upwards,[11] and reaching 336 by 1940, and 362 in 1951 when the last steam locomotive — a 4-8-0 from WG Bagnall — was delivered.[12]

Narrow gauge locomotives were numbered in the same list as broad-gauge locomotives. Diesel locomotives and multiple unit numbering started from 500 – an Armstrong Whitworth 122 hp 0-4-0 diesel-electric shunter delivered in 1934[12] – and reached 840 in 1991.[13] and included one locomotive experimentally converted to electric traction.[4][14]

Steam locomotives

Steam locomotives were used on regular services until the 1970s.[2][4]

  • Sources: Infolanka,[15] Railway Museum[5]
Class Numbers Type Quantity Manufacturer Year Notes
— 1–15, 24–25,
28–29, 39–40,
43–47		4-4-026Robert Stephenson & Company (5)
Beyer, Peacock & Company (7)
Kitson & Company (14)		1864–18805-foot driving wheels
20–23, 26–274-4-06Beyer, Peacock & Company (4)
Kitson & Company (2)		1868–18726-foot driving wheels; 16″×22″ cylinders
63–71, 89–924-4-013Dübs & Company1892–18956-foot driving wheels; 17″×24″ cylinders
16–19, 41–420-6-06John Fowler & Co1868–1878
30–310-4-0ST2Robert Stephenson & Company1868Ex Breakwater branch; absorbed in 1874; a third loco was not taken into stock
32–38, 484-4-0T8Robert Stephenson & Company (3)
Kitson & Company (5)		1876–1880
30–31,
1 (second)		4-4-03CGR Maradana Works1900–19055-foot driving wheels; 16″×24″ cylinders
1630-6-0CT1RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company1913Crane tank
A1 18–19, 41–424-8-04Kitson & Company1913–1921
A2 155–1564-8-02Kitson & Company1911Renumbered 16–17
A3 275–278,
296–297,
334–336,
357–362		4-8-015Hunslet Engine Company (6)
WG Bagnall (9)		1928–1951
B1 4, 30,
242–262,
279–290
294–295
347–342
351–356		4-6-049Beyer, Peacock & Company (25)
Armstrong Whitworth (12)
Robert Stephenson & Company (12)		1927–47“Governor” class – many named; no. 30 Sir Thomas Maitland, runs the Viceroy Special service.[4][16]
B2 1, 3, 25–29,
39–40, 43–47
193–196,
204–213,
222–228		4-6-035Kitson & Company (3)
Robert Stephenson & Company (11)
Vulcan Foundry (21)		1925–1925No. 213 preserved and operational
B3 8–11, 22,
169–171,
185–192		4-6-016Kitson & Company1913–1914
B4 72–75,
147–147,
158–159		4-6-09Neilson & Company (4)
Kitson & Company (5)		1893–1912
B5 76–804-6-05Neilson & Company (3)
Vulcan Foundry (2)		1894
B6 49–624-6-014Kitson & Company (10)
Vulcan Foundry (4)		1882–1890
B7 81–884-6-08RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company1894
B8 214–219,
232–240		4-6-018Hunslet Engine Company (13)
RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company (2)
Nasmyth, Wilson & Company (3)		1922–27
B9 140–1414-6-02Hunslet Engine Company1908Renumbered 134–135
B10 109–1194-6-011Dübs & Company1901
C1 241,
343–350		2-6-2+2-6-29Beyer, Peacock & Company1927, 19451945 locos later converted to oil firing
D1 270–2742-6-4T5Robert Stephenson & Company1928“College” class – most named; All scrapped
D2 All scrapped
D3 12–15, 20–21,
131–139,
150–151,
164–168		2-6-4T22Robert Stephenson & Company (20)
RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company (2)		1907–1914131–139 renumbered 32–37, 131–133; 150–151 renumbered 38, 40; 12 rebuilt as class D1 and numbered 298 in 1930; D3 class saturated, reclassified D2 when superheated; All scrapped
E1 23–24, 93–94,
101
162,
179–183,
197–200		0-6-0T15Dübs & Company (3)
North British Locomotive Company (5)
Hunslet Engine Company (7)		1898–1915Most rebuilt as 0-6-2T; No. 93 built in 1898 is the oldest surviving steam locomotive in the country – now at National railway museum, Kadugannawa
F1 265–2690-6-2T5Robert Stephenson & Company1928All scrapped
F2 2, 5–7,
144–157,
172–173		4-4-020Vulcan Foundry (5)
North British Locomotive Company (15)		1911–1913144–151 delivered as 152–154, 157–161; F2 saturated, reclassified F2 when superheated; All scrapped
F3 95–100,
124–129		4-4-012Dübs & Company (6)
Kitson & Company (2)
North British Locomotive Company (4)		1900–1903All scrapped
H1 2932-4-0+0-4-21Beyer, Peacock & Company1930Narrow gauge
J1 220–221,
263–264,
291–292		4-6-4T6Hunslet Engine Company1924–1929Narrow gauge
J2 142–146,
160–161,
174–178,
184,
201–202		4-6-4T15Hunslet Engine Company (11)
North British Locomotive Company (4)		1908–1919Narrow gauge; 142–146 renumbered 136–140
K1 102–1084-4-0T7Hunslet Engine Company1900–1901Narrow gauge; Kelani Valley Tanks; Two were used for the film "Bridge on the River Kwai"[17][18]
L1 120–123,
130,
203		0-4-2T6Sharp, Stewart & Company (4)
Hunslet Engine Company (2)		1902–1904,
1920		Narrow gauge; Uda Pussellawe tanks
R1 301–313Steam railcar13Sentinel1925–1927Some were later fitted with small under-floor diesel units and were reclassified as T2
R2 317–320Steam railcar4Sentinel1928
R3 321–327Steam railcar7Sentinel1928
R4 314–316Steam railcar3Clayton1928
V1 328–330Steam railcar3Sentinel1927Narrow gauge
V2 331–333Steam railcar3Sentinel1928Narrow gauge

Diesel locomotives
ClassType
MDiesel Electric Locomotives
WDiesel Hydraulic Locomotives
G & YShunters
N & PNarrow Gauge Locomotives
SDiesel Multiple Units
TDiesel Rail Cars

Class M — Diesel Electric Locomotives[19]

Diesel locomotives of Sri Lanka Railway are categorized into several classes and their sub classes.

Class PhotoNumbersTypeQuantityManufacturerYearModelPower LiveryNotes
M1 539–563A1A-A1A de25Brush Bagnall Traction1952—1000 hp Currently not in service
M2 569–573
591–595
626–629		A1A-A1A de (12)
Bo-Bo (2)		14General Motors Diesel (12)
Electro-Motive Division (2)		1954–1966G121400 hp Except one (571 Saskatchewan) all others are still in active service
M3 589–590Bo-Bo de2Sri Lankan Railways1956–1958360 hp Engines (180 hp × 2) taken from S1 class
M4 743–756Co-Co de14Montreal Locomotive Works1975MX-6201750 hp
M5 767–782Bo-Bo de16Hitachi19791150 hp M5A: Re-engined locally using MTU V12 in 1991; M5B: Re-engined locally using Paxman V12 in 1997; M5C: Re-engined locally using Caterpillar 3516 DITA.
M6 783–798A1A-A1A de16Thyssen-Henschel1979–1980G221650 hp
M7 799–814Bo-Bo de16Brush Traction19811000 hp
M8 M8 (841-848), M8A (877,878)Co-Co deM8 (8), M8A (2)Banaras Locomotive WorksM8 (1995), M8A (2001)WDM-2M8 (2600 hp), M8A (1950 hp) Sub Class M8A: Only 2 locomotives were introduced
M9 864–873Co-Co de10Alstom2000AD32C1800 hp Several units out of service shortly after introduction due to cost of spares and repair.
M10 M10 (914-916), M10A (940-945)Co-Co deM10 (3), M10A (6)Banaras Locomotive Works2012WDM3D

(With Alco 251 series 12 diesel engine)

2300 hp Sub class M10A was introduced in 2013 which is a technical variant.[20]
M11 M11 (949-958),Co-CoM11 (10)Banaras Locomotive Works2018WDG4D

(With EMD 12-710 diesel engine)

3200 hp

Class W — Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives[14]
Class PhotoNumbersTypeQuantityManufacturerYearPower LiveryNotes
W1 630–674B-B dh45Rheinstahl Henschel1968–19691150 hp 10 rebuilt with Caterpillar engines and reclassified W3. Only 2 locomotives are in operation.
W2 703–716,
729		B-B dh15LEW1968–Present1500 hp 729 ex demonstrator, ran as DR V150.001; imported 1970. Several re-furbished and in operation.
W3 631…674B-B dh10Sri Lankan

Railways

1997–Present1150 hp 10 rebuilt from class W1 with Caterpillar engines. Mainly used in up country line.

Classes G and Y — Shunters [21] also known as Switchers[22]
Class PhotoNumbersTypeQuantityManufacturerYearPower LiveryNotes
G1 5000–4–0 de1Armstrong Whitworth1934 - 2006122 hp Sulzer engine. Not in use.
G2 531–538Bo-Bo de8North British Locomotive Company1950- 2000625 hp Paxman V8 engine. Not in use.
Y 675–7020-6-0 dh28Hunslet Engine Company1968- 1973530 hp Still in operation.
Y1 721–728D dh8Sri Lanka Railways1972–1973 Paxman V12 engine. Not in operation.

Classes N and P — Narrow Gauge Locomotives [14]
Class PhotoNumbersTypeQuantityManufacturerYearPower LiveryNotes
N1 564–5681C1 dh5Krupp1952–53500 hp Not in use.
N2 730–732B-B dh3Kawasaki1973600 hp GM Detroit Diesel V16 engine. Ordered by Sri Lanka Veneers & Plywood. Not in use.
P1 527–5300-6-0 dm4Hunslet Engine Company1950120 hp Not in use.

Note: 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. One class P1 locomotive was at Viharamahadevi (Victoria) Amusement Park[14]

Class S - Diesel Push Pull Trains [8]

S1–S8 Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Units, S9–S14, S14A Diesel Electric & Electro-Diesel Multiple Units

Class PhotoNumbersTypeQuantityManufacturerYearPower LiveryNotes
S1 501–5034-car3English Electric1938400 hp Named Silver Foam, Silver Spray, and Silver Mist. Not in operation, and power cars scrapped.
S2 574–58815Schindler Carriage and Wagon1958500 hp Not in operation and the power cars were scrapped.
S3 596–62025MAN1959880 hp Not in operation.
S4 621–6245MAN19611000 hp Out of service.
S5 717–7205-car2 setsHitachi1970880 hp Hitachi Tourist excursion train. Now one is in Airport Express service, operated by Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited.
S6 733–74210Hitachi19741150 hp Very similar in appearance to S7. Operated mainly on the broad gauged Kelani Valley line. Currently used as presidential train.
S7 757–76610Hitachi19771000 hp Very similar in appearance to S6. Operated mainly on the broad gauged Kelani Valley line. Not in regular operations.
S8 821–84020Hyundai19911150 hp Currently in operation.
S9 849–86320CSR20001150 hp Currently in operation.
S10 879-89315CSR2008 Currently in operation.
S11 894–91320ICF2011–20121360 hp [23] Designed with multi class accommodation.
S12 917–93922CSR20122000 hp Power cars are single-ended locomotives without passenger interiors. Imported in two variants, one for run on commuter services and other run on long distance services.
S13 959–9706 (double sets)ICF2017-20191800 hp Power car is a single-ended locomotive without passenger interiors.
S14 971–9889 sets (2 power cars per set)CRRC Qingdao Sifang2019-20201950 hp Power cars are single-ended locomotives without passenger interiors.
S14A 989–9924(power cars)CRRC Qingdao Sifang2019-20201950 hp
S13A 993–9962 (double sets)ICF2019-20211800 hp Power car is a single-ended locomotive without passenger interiors. All trailer coaches are Air-conditioned Chiar cars.

Class T - Diesel Rail Cars [14]

The various Railbus units that are currently operated are not listed below.

Class PhotoNumbersTypeQuantityManufacturerYearModelPowerNotes
T1 504–52623English Electric1947200 hpCoupled in Twin Units. Not in use.
T2 (1950)Converted steam rail car in 1950. Not in use
Locally built rail buses RB1 to ..Rail BusSLR Rathmalana Works(1995)Based on Tata 1210/48 & Ashok Leyland Viking 193 Bus ChassisTATA :- NA 692 DI 97 hp

Ashok Leyland :- 0.400 - 110 hp WO6E1- 119hp HAL6ETI - 113 hp

A total of 14 Rail Buses were built

between 1995 and 2002 with numbers RB1 to RB14.

References

Citations
  1. "Ceylon Railway Enthusiasts Circle (CREC)/SLRF". Sri Lanka Railway 145th Anniversary Trip. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  2. "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  3. Hughes 1990, p. 93.
  4. http://www.infolanka.com/org/mrail/locos1.html Archived 11 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine Steam Locomotives
  5. "Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Railways Steam Locomotive and Steam Railcar Fleet". National Railway Museum - Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  6. "Diesel Locomotives of Sri Lanka : Locomotive classification". www.srilankanlocos.com. M9. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  7. "Mainline Diesel-Electrics". Archived from the original on 23 September 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  8. http://www.infolanka.com/org/mrail/locos3.html Archived 19 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine Suburban Diesel Push-Pull types
  9. "Daily News". IESL proposes railway electrification project. 25 December 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012.
  10. Hughes 1990, p. 97.
  11. Hughes 1990, p. 94.
  12. Hughes 1996, p. 92.
  13. Hughes 1996, p. 95.
  14. http://www.infolanka.com/org/mrail/locos4.html Archived 29 June 2024 at the Wayback Machine Mainline Diesel Hydraulic & Narrow Gauge
  15. "Steam Locomotives of Sri Lanka – Model Railroad Club of Sri Lanka". Infolanka. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  16. Viceroy Vintage Train Tours Archived 2011-08-28 at the Wayback Machine
  17. "Sri Lanka to rebuild bridge from River Kwai movie". BBC News. 29 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  18. "Film locations for David Lean's The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957), in Sri Lanka". The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  19. http://www.infolanka.com/org/mrail/locos2.html Archived 23 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Mainline Diesel-Electrics
  20. http://slrailwiki.wikinet.org/wiki/Class_M10 Archived 15 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine Class M10
  21. http://www.infolanka.com/org/mrail/locos5.html Archived 28 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine Diesel Railcars & Shunters
  22. "Switcher Locomotives: Types, History, And Photos". American-Rails.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  23. "ColomboPage". India hands over new power sets for Sri Lanka's Southern Railway Line. 11 March 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2011.

Further reading
  • D.L.O.Mendis & L.S.de Silva. History of Engineering Volume 1 (The Rampala Felicitation Volume ed.). Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL).
  • Hughes, Hugh (1990). Indian Locomotives: Part 1 – broad Gauge 1851–1940. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. pp. 93–99. ISBN 0-9503469-8-5.
  • Hughes, Hugh (1994). Indian Locomotives: Part 3 – Narrow Gauge 1863–1940. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. p. 31. ISBN 0-9521655-0-3.
  • Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. pp. 92–95. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.
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