Class M8

 Class M8 is an Indian made train engine for Sri Lankan Railways.  It belongs to the Diesel - Electric locomotive class. It was built in 1996 by Diesel Locomotive Works at Varanasi, India. These engines have a maximum power of 2,800 hp. It is used as passenger, freight and ballast trains in Sri Lanka. It was the most powerful locomotive in Sri Lanka until 2018, newly imported Indian class M11 also made by the same company is the most powerful now. 

                                                 Class M8 845 with Freight train

This train can haul a maximum number of compartments which is 20. 

M8A

2 M8A engines were imported in 2001 to be used on the upcountry railway line but they were impossible to use because of the design of the locomotives wheels. The maximum power of M8A is 2,200 hp. M8A doesn't make any difference from Class M8.

                                                    Class M8A

Specifications 

• Length - 17.12 m
• Width - 2.864 m
• Brakes - Vaccum, Air
• Weight - 112, 800 kg
• Prime Mover - ALCO - 251 - B
• Fuel - 1,100 gallons 

Running Lines

This train cannot be used on The Upcountry line nor the Matale line and the Kelani Valley line. It is used in the coastal railway line ( Belliatta Express Train ), Northern Railway Line ( Yal Devi, Rajarata Rejina ) and Batticaloa and Trincomalee lines ( Udaya Devi )

                                            Video Credit - macs 48