Sri Lanka Railways M5

Class M5

Sub-class M5C
Type and origin
Power type Diesel
Builder Original: Hitachi
Build date 1979
Total produced 16
Rebuilder Sri Lanka Railways
Specifications
AAR wheel arr. B-B
UIC class Bo'Bo'
Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Loco weight 66 t (65 long tons; 73 short tons)[1]
Fuel type Diesel fuel
Prime mover Original: MTU-Ikegai 12V652TD11
M5A: MTU 396TC13
M5B: Paxman Valenta RP200L
M5C: Caterpillar 3516 DITA [1]
Engine type All four V12 Diesel engines
Transmission Diesel-electric
Performance figures
Maximum speed 60 mph (97 km/h)[2]
Power output Original: 1,640 hp (1,220 kW),
M5A: 1,150 hp (860 kW),
M5B: 1,150 hp (860 kW),
M5C: (?)[1]
Career
Operators Sri Lanka Railways
Class M5, M5A, M5B, M5C
Number in class 16
Locale Sri Lanka
Disposition M5B & M5C

The Sri Lanka Railways Class M5 is a type of diesel-electric locomotive. The class was ordered to strengthen the diesel locomotive fleet of Sri Lanka Railways.

The Class M5 became a familiar sight on Main Line of SLR. They performed on Sri Lanka's railroad for few years.

History

Background

In order to replace steam locomotives and also to increase the diesel locomotive fleet of SLR, 16 diesel-electric locomotives were ordered from Hitachi and were delivered in 1979.

Decline

After few years of operation, due to technical problems, M5 class locomotives were taken out of service.[2]

Sub-Classes

Considering the decline of original Class M5 locomotives, SLR refurbished some selected M5 locomotives as a part of the Transportation Rehabilitation Project.[2] Refurbished locomotives were allocated in to 3 classes namely, M5A, M5B and M5C.

Sub Class Image Description
M5A M5 No. 769 was fitted with a new prime mover of model MTU V12 396TC13[1] which was a spare prime mover of a S8 DMU. Condemned due to an electrical failure.
M5B 4 locomotives (Nos 768, 772, 777 and 778) were fitted with new Paxman Valenta V12 RP200L prime movers. In Use.
M5C The M5 locomotives 767, 771, 776, 779, 781, 782 and 775 were fitted with new Caterpillar prime movers. This new locomotive class was called M5C. This class M5Cs known to Sri Lankan railway enthusiasts as "Cat"

Incidents

Locomotives 773 and 780 were damaged due to accidents. Both are out of service. The last M5C locomotive was released in 2010. This locomotive was fitted with air brakes.[2]

See also

Diesel locomotives of Sri Lanka

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Class M5 | Sri Lanka Railways Info Page". Slrailinfo.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "෴අඟුරු නොකා වතුර නොබී කොළඹ දුවන යකඩ යකා෴: ෴M5 දුම්රිය එන්ජිම - Made in Japan෴". Locolanka.blogspot.com. 2011-01-02. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
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