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Sri Lanka Railways Class M8 is a class of Sri Lankan diesel-electric locomotive that was developed by Banaras Locomotive Works at Varanasi, India,[2] in 1996. This class of locomotives was fitted with 2,800 hp (2,100 kW) V16 power units. This is used on both passenger and freight trains on Sri Lanka Railways. Currently^[when?] this is the most powerful locomotive in Sri Lanka.[1]

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Class M8
Class M8 No. 846
Type and origin Power type Diesel Builder Banaras Locomotive Works Model M8 (WDM-2), M8A(?) Build date 1995-2001 Total produced M8(8), M8A (2)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Wheel diameter 1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in) Wheelbase 12.834 m (42 ft 1+1⁄4 in) Length 17.12 m (56 ft 2 in) Width 2.864 m (9 ft 4+3⁄4 in) Height 4.185 m (13 ft 8+3⁄4 in) Axle load 18,800 kg (41,400 lb) Loco weight 112,800 kg (248,700 lb) Fuel capacity 5,000 l (1,100 imp gal; 1,300 US gal) Prime mover ALCO 251-B RPM range 400 - 1000 rpm Engine type M8 V16 diesel M8A V12 diesel Aspiration Turbo-supercharged Cylinders M8 (16), M8A (12) Cylinder size M8 228 mm × 266 mm (8.98 in × 10.47 in) M8A? Train brakes Air, Vacuum
Performance figures Maximum speed 120 km/h (75 mph) Power output M8(2,800 hp (2,100 kW)) M8A(2,200 hp (1,600 kW)) Factor of adh. 0.27
Career Operators Sri Lanka Railways Numbers M8 (841-848), M8A(877,878)[1] Locale Sri Lanka Delivered M8 (1996), M8A (2001) Current owner Sri Lanka Railways Disposition active

Performance

This locomotive is capable of hauling 20 carriages at once but usually not used to haul more than 18 carriages. Major problems that are seen in this class are maintenance difficulties and corrosion.[1]

Sub classes

M8A

Two (877 & 878) short truck M8A locomotives were delivered in 2001. They were imported to use on Up country main line, but it was impossible to run them due to their wheel design^{[clarification needed]} of HAHS bogie without equaliser beams. M8A locomotives were built using 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) V12 power units.

Current operation

M8 and M8A are not used on the Main Line above Nawalapitiya and on the Kelani Valley Line but are operated on other lines. This locomotive is used when it need to pull much heavy load. Mainly used in flat lines like Northern Line, Trincomalee Line, Batticaloa Line and Coastal Line.

Depot for the M8s is Diesel Electric Locomotive Shed at Maradana.

Accidents and incidents

• M8A No. 878 was seriously damaged in an accident with a concrete mixing transport truck. Since the accident, the locomotive has been repaired and put back into service.

See also

• Sri Lanka Railways

Notes and references

• Hyatt, David. Railways of Sri Lanka.^{[full citation needed]}

External links

• Article about Class M8 locomotive

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