Class S8 Powerset in Sri Lanka

 Class S8 Locomotive

Class S8 can be considered as the most successful DMU ( Diesel Multiple Unit ) in Sri Lanka. Class S8 is a very frequently seen locomotive as it hauls many slow and commuter trains. 

Specifications

• Imported Year - 1989
• No. Imported  -  20
• Made country - Hitachi ( Japan ) + Hyundai ( Korea )
• Powered Type - Diesel - Hydraulic 
• Powered Engine - MTU 12V396TC13
• Maximum Power - 1413 hp ( horse power )
• Maximum Speed - 88 kmph ( 54 miles per hour )
• Axel Arrangement - B-B
• Length of a carriage - 65 feet
• Weight - 70 tons

The interior of Class S8 is arranged in a way that it could fit more passengers. The seats of the train are fixed on either sides on the train ( To observe refer the picture after the paragraph.) Each train set consists of 4 compartments and 2 engines. The coupler of this train is very different these coupler's allow the train to take very sharp curves on the railway line. There are no internal corridors on Class S8 which means passengers don't have the facility to travel to another compartment. 

                                                      Interior Arrangement of Class S8                

                     

                                              Couplers of Class S8 with no internal corridors 

Running Lines

As I have mentioned above the couplings of Class S8 are different from other train engines due to this Class S8 can travel very successfully on the Kelani Valley Railway line as it has many sharp curves. It hauls 80% of trains on the Kelani Valley line. This engine also travels on the Coastal railway line, Puttalam Railway line and the Main line.

These engines travel on the Upcountry railway line upto Rambukkana. It is stated that Class S8 came on a trial run to Kandy and also travelled to Kandy for special occasions. Class S8 also hauled the special poson train between Anuradhapura and Mihinthale. 

Class S8 has travelled on every railway line apart from Peradeniya to Badulla and the Northern line above Anuradhapura. 

Trains Hauling 

• Class S8 hauls many slow and commuter trains around the country for example,

1. Avissawella Train
2. Aluthgama Train
3. Ambepussa Train
4. Rambukkana Train
5. Poson Train ( During the poson period )
6. Esala Special Train ( Travels upto Kandy during Esala Perehara )
7. Mirigama Train
8. Negombo / Kochchikade Train
9. Puttalam Train 

Pictures of Class S8

                                        Class S8 passing Endaramulla with a Slow Train

                                                   Class S8 on the Kelani Valley Line

                                            Picture of how Class S8 looked when it was imported

Videos Of Class S8

                                              Class S8 with 3 sets