Sri Lanka Railways M8

12.834 m (42 ft 1+1⁄4 in)Length17.12 m (56 ft 2 in)Width2.864 m (9 ft 4+3⁄4 in)Height4.185 m (13 ft 8+3⁄4 in)Axle load18,800 kg (41,400 lb)Loco weight112,800 kg (248,700 lb)Fuel capacity5,000 L (1,100 imp gal; 1,300 US gal)Prime moverALCO 251-BRPM range400 - 1000 rpmEngine typeM8 V16 diesel
M8A V12 dieselAspirationTurbo-superchargedCylindersM8 (16), M8A (12)Cylinder sizeM8 228 mm × 266 mm (8.98 in × 10.47 in)
M8A?Train brakesAir, 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

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.^[1]

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

Left:Class M8A, Right:Class M8

Two (877 & 878) short truck M8A locomotives were delivered in 2001. They were imported to use on Upcountry 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.

Notes and references

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

^ ^a ^b ^c "Class M8". Sri Lanka Railways Info Page. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
^ "Mainline Diesel-Electrics". Model Railroad Club of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 22 August 2014.