Sri Lanka Railways M5

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• AAR	B-B
• UIC	Bo'Bo'
Gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Loco weight	66 t (65 long tons; 73 short tons)
Fuel type	Diesel fuel
Prime mover	Original: MTU-Ikegai 12V652TD11; M5A: MTU 396TC13; M5B: Paxman Valenta RP200L; M5C: Caterpillar 3516 DITA
Engine type	All four V12 Diesel engines
Transmission	Diesel-electric

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel
Builder	Original: Hitachi
Build date	1979
Total produced	16
Rebuilder	Sri Lanka Railways

Class M5
Class M5
	Sub-class M5C
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel
Builder	Original: Hitachi
Build date	1979
Total produced	16
Rebuilder	Sri Lanka Railways
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• AAR	B-B
• UIC	Bo'Bo'
Gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Loco weight	66 t (65 long tons; 73 short tons)
Fuel type	Diesel fuel
Prime mover	Original: MTU-Ikegai 12V652TD11; M5A: MTU 396TC13; M5B: Paxman Valenta RP200L; M5C: Caterpillar 3516 DITA
Engine type	All four V12 Diesel engines
Transmission	Diesel-electric
Maximum speed
Performance figures
Maximum speed	60 mph (97 km/h)
Power output	Original: 1,640 hp (1,220 kW),; M5A: 1,150 hp (860 kW),; M5B: 1,150 hp (860 kW),; M5C: (1600hp)
Operators
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.

Sub-class M5B and M5C are currently used in Upcountry Commuter Rails.

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 sub-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]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Class M5 | Sri Lanka Railways Info Page". Slrailinfo.wordpress.com. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "෴අඟුරු නොකා වතුර නොබී කොළඹ දුවන යකඩ යකා෴: ෴M5 දුම්රිය එන්ජිම - Made in Japan෴". Locolanka.blogspot.com. 2011-01-02. Retrieved 2013-10-16.

"Class M5 Locomotive". www.ceylonrailway.com.

[wordpress1-1] "Class M5 | Sri Lanka Railways Info Page". Slrailinfo.wordpress.com. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-10-16.

[locolanka-2] "෴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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