Sri Lanka Railways M11

Class M11 is a mainline diesel-electric locomotive built by Banaras Locomotive Works, India, for use on Sri Lanka Railways and first delivered in 2018. This locomotive, clearly with its look, was developed from the WDG-4D locomotive of the Indian Railways, which is originally of 4,500 HP (3.4 MW), as it uses a 16-cylinder variant of the EMD 710 prime mover. The HP was Down-tweaked to 3,000 (2.25 MW) using a 12-cylinder variant of the same engine, making it look and sound similar to British/European Railways' popular Class 66 EMD locomotive, but with AC-AC traction.

Class M11
Type and origin Power type Diesel Electric Builder Banaras Locomotive Works, India Build date 2018-2019 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge Broad Gauge - 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Bogies HTSC Fabricated Bogies Wheel diameter 1,092 mm (42.992 in) Minimum curve 875m OR 2° curve Pivot centres 15,604 mm (51.194 ft) Length: ​  • Over couplers 22,962 mm (75.335 ft)  • Over beams 21,700 mm (71.194 ft) Width 3,050 mm (10.007 ft) Fuel type diesel Prime mover EMD 12-710G3C Engine type V12 Two-stroke diesel engine Aspiration Turbo-supercharged Displacement 139.53 L Alternator TA12/CA9 Traction motors EMD A2916-8 (AC Traction motors) Cylinders 12 Cylinder size 230.19 mm × 279.4 mm (9.063 in × 11.000 in) Transmission Diesel-electric, EM2000 microprocessor controlled AC-AC transmission MU working AAR
Performance figures Maximum speed 120 km/h (75 mph) Power output 3,000 hp (2,200 kW)
Career Operators Sri Lanka Railways Class Class M11 Number in class 10 Numbers 949-958 Locale Sri Lanka Current owner Sri Lanka Railways Disposition Active

The completed units are delivered by road trailer from Varanasi to the port of Chennai, before shipment to Sri Lanka. The units feature a microprocessor control system, TFT monitors as display units and roof-mounted Dynamic Brake Resistors. The locomotives were built under the auspices of the Make in India program.[1]

As of January 2020, ten M 11 locomotives have been purchased under an Indian loan, with 8 being brought into the country. A total of 10 locomotives and 6 power sets were purchased for Rs 1000 million.[2]

Local railway trade unions have expressed concern that the locomotives are not suitable for the rail lines in Sri Lanka. Union officials say the locomotives are too long to safely operate on local rail lines, being longer than any locomotive in service in Sri Lanka. They also note that the locomotives are equipped with an air compressor brake system, while most carriages in use in Sri Lanka have vacuum brakes, noting that the new M11s can't be used with most carriages in the country other than recently imported Chinese coaches.[3][2]

The union officials also explain that railway lines in Sri Lanka are not maintained to such a high standard as they are in India and that using a high horsepower locomotive to pull only a few carriages seemed wasteful. Major rail lines would need to be rebuilt in order to use the M11 locomotives to their full potential. The locomotives are deemed unsuitable by their operators for their tasks they are assigned, putting public safety at risk. Union officials have expressed concern that government officials received large commissions when the locomotives were delivered. Railway officials have said all allegations are baseless.[3][2]

A significant accident occurred when M11 number 953 derailed on 19 December 2019 on the line between Maradana and Dermatagoda stations, causing the line to be shut down for two days. The Puttalam and Kelani Valley lines were also affected by the accident.[3]