Sri Lanka Railways M6 is a class of Diesel-electric locomotives imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Most of these locomotives are still in active service with Sri Lanka Railways, the national rail operator.[1][2][3][4]

Sri Lanka Railways M6
Sri Lanka Railways Class M6 number 790 locomotive
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderThyssen-Henschel under licence from Electro-Motive Division
Serial number32337–32352
ModelEMD G22CW
Total produced16
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICA1A-A1A
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Wheel diameter1,016 mm (40 in)
Trailing dia.838 mm (33 in)
Length54 ft 6 in (16.61 m)
Width3,090 mm (10 ft 1+58 in)
Height4,113 mm (13 ft 5+78 in)
Axle load16.7 t (16.4 long tons; 18.4 short tons)
Loco weight87 t (86 long tons; 96 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Prime moverEMD 645E
Engine typeV12 Two-stroke diesel
Cylinders12
Loco brakeVacuum, Dynamic
Performance figures
Maximum speed96.6 km/h (60.0 mph)
Power output1,650 hp (1,230 kW)
Tractive effort193 kN (43,000 lbf)
Career
OperatorsSri Lanka Railways
Numbers783 - 798
First run1979 september
DispositionIn active service

Details

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History

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The M6 locomotives were manufactured by Thyssen-Henschel in Kassel, West Germany, under licence from Electro-Motive Division of the United States. These locomotives were originally imported for use on flat terrain, but found great success on the Main Line. These locomotives were used for operating the upcountry express trains Udarata Menike and Podi Menike until 2012, when they were succeeded by the S12 and S14 DEMUs. The M6 locomotives are currently used for the Colombo-Badulla Night Mail service and Main Line commuter trains.[1][4]

Specifications

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As an EMD G22M, the M6 has a V12 EMD 645 engine rated at 1,650 hp (1,230 kW). The locomotives have found success on the Main Line owing to their Flexicoil truck (bogies) and dynamic brakes.[1]

Liveries

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The M6 locomotives have two liveries:

  1. The standard livery (Horizontal green, maroon and yellow stripes)
  2. The class' unique ICE (InterCity Express) livery (Maroon and orange; a livery that is only painted on locomotives No. 785, 788 and 797)

Accidents and incidents

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  • Locomotives No. 793 and No. 798 were destroyed by LTTE terrorist attacks (No. 793 was destroyed by a bomb blast between Puliyankulam-Vavuniya on March 25, 1986; No. 798 was destroyed by a bomb blast at Thambalagamuwa on December 5, 1996).[1]
  • Locomotive No. 786 was involved in the Yangalmodara level crossing accident.[1]
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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Hyatt, David (2000). Railways of Sri Lanka. UK: COMRAC. ISBN 978-0953730407.
  2. ^ "Sri Lankan Diesel Locomotive Data Pages". web.archive.org. 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  3. ^ "EMD Export Page 4". emdexport.railfan.net. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
  4. ^ a b Nandasena, K. A. D.; Wickremeratne, Vinod. Ceylon Railway Heritage. Sri Lanka: National Trust Sri Lanka. pp. 155, 156, 157. ISBN 978-9550093137.

See also

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