Class M3 / First Locomotive Made In Sri Lanka

 Class M3

Class M3 is a very special train engine in Sri Lanka. It was the first ever locomotive which was manufactured in Sri Lanka. Locally produced locomotives cost less because they don't require to be imported. But, This was the only locomotive produced in Sri Lanka so far. All the other engines have been imported. 

Specifications

• Class - M3
• Builder - Rathmalana Locomotive Works
• Produced Country - Sri Lanka
• Type - Diesel Electric
• Powered Engine - Williams & Robinson - Type H6
• Power Output - 180 horsepower (90hp x2 engines)
• Maximum Speed - 88 kmph (55 mph)
• Weight - 47 tons

In 1956 a team of engineers decided to produce Class M3 because Class S1 was deteriorating because it was used oftenlly along the coastal railway line. Class M3 was built using Class S1 parts. After it was manufactured it was used for shunting purposes, But, It was later used for passenger trains in the "Rajarata" area. At the request of the new Minister of Transport, Hon. Maithripala Senanayake, who was appointed in 1956. It is said that he was impressed by this great design and requested the department to use this locomotive for passenger transport in the country (he represented the Medawachchiya electorate). Accordingly, this engine was used to run in Anuradhapura-Medawachchiya and Anuradhapura-Mahawa areas.

The first M3 engine was named "Jayanthi" to commemorate the Buddha Jayanthi in 1956. This engine was inaugurated by the Hon. Maithripala Senanayake, Minister of Transport and Works on 5th September 1956 and deployed for public service. However, the department had to face many problems due to the use of the engine designed for shunting for passenger transport. In a very short period of time, overheating and many other technical problems arose. (In the case of shunting, the engine is often run for short periods of time, so that the engine can be moved and operated at short distances without overheating, giving the engine enough rest and cooling.) For these reasons, the original engine, No. 589, was redesigned with appropriate settings The department had to redesign.

Another M3 class engine (590) was manufactured at the Ratmalana factory in 1957 and these 589 (Jayanthi) and 590 engines have been in operation for about 10 years. This valuable resource, which was later abandoned and decaying in a jungle area in the Ratmalana factory grounds, was unfortunately cut down and sold for scrap iron one day in 2002.

Photographs

        Class M3 589 "Jayanthi"

                                                                   Class M3 589 / 590

                                                                       Class M3 589