Class M11 Locomotive

Class M11 is the last member of the "Class M" family at the moment. This train engine is a mighty beast as it is the most powerful locomotive in Sri Lanka at the moment.

Specifications

Manufacturer - Varanasi ( Banaras ) Locomotive Works
Imported Country - India
Imported Year(s) - 2018 and 2019
Imported Number - 10
Powered Type - Diesel - Electric
Powered Engine - EMD 12-710G 3C
Maximum Power - 3000 horsepowers
Maximum Speed - 120 kmph (74 miles per hour )
Axel Arrangement - CO'CO
Weight - 139 tons
Numbering - 949 - 958
Indian Model - WDG4D

Class M11 is manufactured by the same company which manufactured Class M8 and Class M10 as well. It is also noted that Class M8 and M10 are ALCO ( American Locomotive Company ) and Class M11 is an EMD ( Electro Motive Division ) locomotive. Class M11 is called a mighty beast because it is the most Powerful Locomotive in Sri Lanka at the moment. This locomotive can haul 20+ compartments. The Indian model, WDG4D can haul a maximum number of 40 compartments as it can provide 4500 horse powers. This locomotive is the longest locomotive used in Sri Lanka at the moment it is 69.9 feet long ( 21 meters ) long, It is also a very heavy locomotive as it has a weight of 139 tons ( 139,000 kilograms ).

Running Lines

As mentioned above Class M11 is a very heavy and very long locomotive therefore, it can't operate on the Upcountry railway line. Class M11 can travel up to Polgahawela without any problems but, it cant operate above Polgahawela ( Towards Badulla ). It can operate on the Coastal line up to Galle, But, Can't operate above Galle. But, It can travel the stretch from Matara to Belliatta, But it can't travel because it can't travel the stretch from Galle to Matara.

Class M11 travels on the Northern Line, Main Line, Coastal Line ( Up to Galle ), Puttalam Line ( Up to Seeduwa ) and the Trincomallee railway lines.

Hauling Trains

Class M11 hauls many express trains around Sri Lanka, Given below are some examples,

Yal Devi Express
Fausi Express
Sri Devi Express ( With the new ICF compartments / Usually Class S13 )
Magam Kumari ( New year special train / අවුරුදු විශේෂ දුම්රිය )
Thalir Mannar Express
Prima flour train

Disadvantages of Class M11

Class M11 only has air brakes therefore, it can only haul air brake compartments, Due, to this Sri Lanka is importing 160 new compartments from ICF ( Integral Coach Factory ) in India. A few of these compartments are already delivered to Sri Lanka while the others are ready for dispatch. Many of the trials with these compartments failed the reason for this is that, When Class M11 exceeds the notch 6 throttle the electricity power in the compartments shut down, Class M11 doesn't have the auxillary power generator to give power to the compartments after exceeding notch 6. These compartments were specially imported for Class M11 but, it is proven it 's trials failed. If Class M11 had the Vacuum brakes it can haul the Romanian compartments without any issues therefore, Sri Lanka railways won't need to spend extra money on importing new compartments specially for this locomotive.

Since, Class M11 is very heavy it can cause damages to old tracks. Due to this, It may harm other engines that travel on the railway line and may cause derailments.

Accidents Faced

Class M11 953 faced a major derailment in December 2019. The locomotive was just a year old, After this derailment people thought that this locomotive was a total failure in Sri Lanka. The accident occurred between Colombo Fort and Maradana Railway stations. The derailment caused delays on the Main, Puttalam and Coastal railway lines. The line has to shut down for 2 days as well.