Sri Lanka Railways M2

Sri Lanka Railways class M2
M2 # 570 Alberta which hauled the last "Yal Devi" train to Kankasanthurei. After war began it was trapped there. Later decomposed and shipped to Colombo. Now in use.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Diesel, Canada (12) Electro-Motive Division, USA (2) Serial number A608–A609, A720–722, A894–A896, A1325–1326, A1920–A921, 31211–31212 Model EMD G12 Build date 1954–1966 Total produced 14 (now 13 in running condition)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC (A1A)(A1A) Bo′Bo′ in M2c sub class Gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Axle load 19.75 t (19.44 long tons; 21.77 short tons) Loco weight 79 t (78 long tons; 87 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover EMD 567C Engine type V12 Two-stroke diesel Cylinders 12 Loco brake Vacuum (Dynamic on M2c and M2d sub classes)
Performance figures Maximum speed 112 km/h (70 mph) Power output 1,425 hp (1,063 kW) 1,310 hp (980 kW) in M2d sub class
Career Operators Ceylon Government Railway » Sri Lanka Railways Class M2 Number in class 14 (includes M2-5, M2a-3, M2b-2, M2c-2, M2d-2) Numbers See table Official name See table First run 1954
Colombo Plan Aid Number 571 "Saskatchewan" was destroyed by a terrorist's bomb. Number 570 "Alberta” hauled the last "Yal Devi" train to Kankasanthurei. After the civil war began it was trapped there. Later it was dismantled and shipped to Colombo. In 2014 it was damaged in the Pothuhera train accident. Repaired and back in use. Number 591 "Manitoba" was damaged due to tsunami waves on 26 December 2004. Now in use.

The Sri Lanka Railways Class M2 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1954 by General Motors Diesel, Canada, and Electro-Motive Division, USA. This is considered one of the most successful locomotives in Sri Lanka.

It is a General Motors Diesel (Canada) EMD G12 model using the EMD 567C, 1,425-horsepower (1,063 kW) engine.

Description

Introduction

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 engines 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.

Entering into Service

The class entered service in January 1955. The Ruhunu Kumari train started using M2 572 British Columbia on 24 October 1955, the first long distance luxury passenger train service in Sri Lanka. The same loco hauled the first Udarata Manike Colombo - Badulla train on 23 April 1956, and on the same day the Yal Davi started, hauled by M2 569 Ontario, in the far north of the country.

Sub Classes

Sub Class	Builder	Weight	Specifications	Axle Arrangement	Year	No.of Locomotives	No's
M2A	General Motors Diesel	79 tonnes	GM V12 G12-567c	A1A-A1A	1959	3	591, 592, 593
M2B	General Motors Diesel	79 tonnes	GM V12 G12-567c	A1A-A1A	1958	2	594, 595
M2C	General Motors Diesel	79 tonnes	GM V12 G12-567c	Bo-Bo	1961	2	626, 627
M2D	Electro-Motive Division	79 tonnes	GM V12 G12-567e	A1A-A1A	1966	2	628, 629

In Service

This class has been used on both passenger and freight trains on Sri Lanka's railways for over 50 years. Despite the introduction of more modern types of traction, as of 2013 a significant number are still in use.

Locomotive Fleet

Table of locomotives

Class	Number	Name	Serial No.	Imported Year
M2	569	Ontario	A608	1954
M2	570	Alberta	A609	1954
M2	571	Saskatchewan	A720	1954
M2	572	British Columbia	A721	1954
M2	573	Quebec	A722	1955
M2a	591	Manitoba	A894	1956
M2a	592	Nova Scotia	A895	1956
M2a	593	New Brunswick	A896	1956
M2b	594	Prince Edward Island	A1325	1958
M2b	595	Newfoundland	A1326	1958
M2c	626	Montreal	A1920	1961
M2c	627	Vancouver	A1921	1961
M2d	628	Kankesanthurai	31211	1966
M2d	629	Galle	31212	1966

Accidents & Incidents

• Number 570 was trapped in Kankasanthurei from 1992 to 1996 due to the civil war after hauling the last night mail train to Kankasanthurei. Brought to Colombo by ship as parts, re-assembled and put back on track.
• Number 571 Saskatchewan was completely destroyed on 14 September 1985 near Pollipothana due to a bomb blast by terrorists.
• Number 572 British Colombia was the engine powered the famous 'Wilwatte- Mirigama" accident on 16 October 1964 killed 25 and injured 88 passengers.
• Number 570 Alberta faced minor damage when a land mine exploded in Punani on 7 June 2007 and severely damaged as a result of Pothuhera train accident on 30 April 2014
• Number 591 Manitoba was damaged on 26 December 2004 when pulling the Matara Express and was hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami, and added back to service after four months. This locomotive was repainted to depict a sea wave on its livery.
• Number 628 Kankasanthurai was badly damaged by a land mine, but was rebuilt

Gallery

• 
  M2 628
• 
  Class M2 No. 628 - Kankasanthurai
• 
  Class M2 593 - New Brunswick

References

• "Class M2 Locomotive". www.ceylonrailway.com.
• Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.
• Lanka Railway Digest.