# Locomotives of Sri Lanka Railways

Locomotives and train sets of Sri Lanka Railways consist mostly of diesel locomotives and multiple units. Steam locomotives are no longer used, except on heritage trains such as the Viceroy Special.
The first locomotives pulled trains on the original segment of the Main Line, on 54 kilometres (34 miles) connecting Colombo and Ambepussa. In 1953, Sri Lanka Railways enhanced its service to more power with diesel locomotives. Since then, various types of diesel locomotives were added to the service.

## History

Sri Lanka's first railway locomotive was Leopold, introduced in 1864. It was one of seven 4-4-0 locomotives built that year for the Ceylon Government Railway by Robert Stephenson & Company (Nos. 1–5) and Beyer, Peacock & Company (Nos. 6 and 7). Many more steam locomotives were added to the system, through to the 1950s. All the steam locomotives but three were manufactured in the United Kingdom; the exceptions were three 4-4-0s built at the railway's Maradana Works near Colombo in 1900 and 1905. In 1938, locomotives were reclassified, based on wheel arrangement and gauge. Sub-classification was based on weight, modifications, heating type, boiler capacity, or other features.
Throughout its history, Ceylon Government Railway had 410 steam locomotives.
The Railways upgraded its service to diesel locomotives, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala in the mid 1950s. In 1953, the first locomotives from British builder Brush Bagnall were imported. Since then, the Railways have imported locomotives from Canada, Japan, West Germany, India, France, and China
In the 1990s, Sri Lanka Railways converted the 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge Kelani Valley line into 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge. This was the last narrow gauge line left in Sri Lanka, and its conversion to broad gauge put the fleet of narrow gauge locomotives out of use. All operational locomotives in the country today are broad gauge.
As of March 2022, Sri Lanka does not have commercially operational electric locomotives or train sets. Electrification has been proposed to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.

## Liveries

Sri Lanka's locomotives have appeared in several different liveries over the years.
The steam locomotives were mainly painted in black.
With the introduction of diesel locomotives, coloured liveries appeared. Typical for many locomotives is a livery that has thick horizontal bands of dark blue, light blue, silver and a yellow stripe. Also common for many locomotives is a livery of horizontal bands of green, brown, and a yellow stripe.
The DMUs are painted in various liveries, unique to their classes. Typically, they feature horizontal bands of colour running their entire length and a solid colour on the front and back ends.

### ICE livery

M6 ICE locomotives have a unique ICE livery of brown and orange.

## Numbering

Steam locomotives were numbered from 1 upwards, reaching 161 in 1911. Whereafter replacement locomotives were given the same number as the locomotive that they replaced with an "R" prefix; until such time as the old locomotive, now running with an "O" prefix, was finally withdrawn. This system was abandoned in 1928, with new locomotives being numbered from 249 upwards, and reaching 336 by 1940, and 362 in 1951 when the last steam locomotive — a 4-8-0 from WG Bagnall — was delivered.
Narrow gauge locomotives were numbered in the same list as broad-gauge locomotives. Diesel locomotives and multiple unit numbering started from 500 – an Armstrong Whitworth 122 hp 0-4-0 diesel-electric shunter delivered in 1934 – and reached 840 in 1991. and included one locomotive experimentally converted to electric traction.

## Steam locomotives

Steam locomotives were used on regular services until the 1970s.
| Class | Numbers | Type | Quantity | Manufacturer | Year | Gauge | Preserved? | Notes |
| — | 1–15, 24–25, 28–29, 39–40, 43–47 | 4-4-0 | 26 | Robert Stephenson & Company (5) Beyer, Peacock & Company (7) Kitson & Company (14) | 1864–1880 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | 5-foot driving wheels |
| — | 20–23, 26–27 | 4-4-0 | 6 | Beyer, Peacock & Company (4) Kitson & Company (2) | 1868–1872 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | 6-foot driving wheels; 16″×22″ cylinders |
| — | 63–71, 89–92 | 4-4-0 | 13 | Dübs & Company | 1892–1895 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | 6-foot driving wheels; 17″×24″ cylinders |
| — | 16–19, 41–42 | 0-6-0 | 6 | John Fowler & Co | 1868–1878 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| — | 30–31 | 0-4-0ST | 2 | Robert Stephenson & Company | 1868 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | Ex Breakwater branch; absorbed in 1874; a third loco was not taken into stock |
| — | 32–38, 48 | 4-4-0T | 8 | Robert Stephenson & Company (3) Kitson & Company (5) | 1876–1880 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| — | 30–31, 1 (second) | 4-4-0 | 3 | CGR Maradana Works | 1900–1905 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | 5-foot driving wheels; 16″×24″ cylinders |
| — | 163 | 0-6-0CT | 1 | RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company | 1913 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | Crane tank |
| A1 | 18–19, 41–42 | 4-8-0 | 4 | Kitson & Company | 1913–1921 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| A2 | 155–156 | 4-8-0 | 2 | Kitson & Company | 1911 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | Renumbered 16–17 |
| A3 | 275–278, 296–297, 334–336, 357–362 | 4-8-0 | 15 | Hunslet Engine Company (6) WG Bagnall (9) | 1928–1951 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| B1 | 4, 30, 242–262, 279–290 294–295 347–342 351–356 | 4-6-0 | 49 | Beyer, Peacock & Company (25) Armstrong Whitworth (12) Robert Stephenson & Company (12) | 1927–47 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | Yes | “Governor” class – many named. No. 30 Sir Thomas Maitland, runs the Viceroy Special service. |
| B2 | 1, 3, 25–29, 39–40, 43–47 193–196, 204–213, 222–228 | 4-6-0 | 35 | Kitson & Company (3) Robert Stephenson & Company (11) Vulcan Foundry (21) | 1925–1925 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | Yes | No. 213 preserved and operational |
| B3 | 8–11, 22, 169–171, 185–192 | 4-6-0 | 16 | Kitson & Company | 1913–1914 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| B4 | 72–75, 147–147, 158–159 | 4-6-0 | 9 | Neilson & Company (4) Kitson & Company (5) | 1893–1912 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| B5 | 76–80 | 4-6-0 | 5 | Neilson & Company (3) Vulcan Foundry (2) | 1894 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| B6 | 49–62 | 4-6-0 | 14 | Kitson & Company (10) Vulcan Foundry (4) | 1882–1890 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| B7 | 81–88 | 4-6-0 | 8 | RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company | 1894 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| B8 | 214–219, 232–240 | 4-6-0 | 18 | Hunslet Engine Company (13) RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company (2) Nasmyth, Wilson & Company (3) | 1922–27 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| B9 | 140–141 | 4-6-0 | 2 | Hunslet Engine Company | 1908 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | Yes | Renumbered 134–135. One preserved as a static display at Colombo Fort railway station. |
| B10 | 109–119 | 4-6-0 | 11 | Dübs & Company | 1901 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | |
| C1 | 241, 343–350 | 2-6-2+2-6-2 | 9 | Beyer, Peacock & Company | 1927, 1945 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | Yes | 1945 locos later converted to oil firing Had a sub-class "C1a" |
| D1 | 270–274 | 2-6-4T | 5 | Robert Stephenson & Company | 1928 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | “College” class – most named; All scrapped |
| D2 | | 2-6-4T | | | | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | All scrapped |
| D3 | 12–15, 20–21, 131–139, 150–151, 164–168 | 2-6-4T | 22 | Robert Stephenson & Company (20) RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company (2) | 1907–1914 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | 131–139 renumbered 32–37, 131–133; 150–151 renumbered 38, 40; 12 rebuilt as class D1 and numbered 298 in 1930; D3 class saturated, reclassified D2 when superheated; All scrapped. |
| E1 | 23–24, 93–94, 101 162, 179–183, 197–200 | 0-6-0T | 15 | Dübs & Company (3) North British Locomotive Company (5) Hunslet Engine Company (7) | 1898–1915 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | Yes | Most rebuilt as 0-6-2T. No. 93 built in 1898 is the oldest surviving steam locomotive in the country – now preserved at the National Railway Museum, Kadugannawa. |
| F1 | 265–269 | 0-6-2T | 5 | Robert Stephenson & Company | 1928 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | All scrapped |
| F2 | 2, 5–7, 144–157, 172–173 | 4-4-0 | 20 | Vulcan Foundry (5) North British Locomotive Company (15) | 1911–1913 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | 144–151 delivered as 152–154, 157–161; F2 saturated, reclassified F2 when superheated. All scrapped. |
| F3 | 95–100, 124–129 | 4-4-0 | 12 | Dübs & Company (6) Kitson & Company (2) North British Locomotive Company (4) | 1900–1903 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | All scrapped |
| H1 | 293 | 2-4-0+0-4-2 | 1 | Beyer, Peacock & Company | 1930 | Narrow Gauge (2ft 6in) | No | All scrapped |
| J1 | 220–221, 263–264, 291–292 | 4-6-4T | 6 | Hunslet Engine Company | 1924–1929 | Narrow Gauge (2ft 6in) | | |
| J2 | 142–146, 160–161, 174–178, 184, 201–202 | 4-6-4T | 15 | Hunslet Engine Company (11) North British Locomotive Company (4) | 1908–1919 | Narrow Gauge (2ft 6in) | | 142–146 renumbered to 136–140. |
| K1 | 102–108 | 4-4-0T | 7 | Hunslet Engine Company | 1900–1901 | Narrow Gauge (2ft 6in) | | Known as the Kelani Valley Tanks. Two were used for the film "Bridge on the River Kwai" |
| L1 | 120–123, 130, 203 | 0-4-2T | 6 | Sharp, Stewart & Company (4) Hunslet Engine Company (2) | 1902–1904, 1920 | Narrow Gauge (2ft 6in) | Yes | Known as the Uda Pussellawe tanks. |
| R1 | 301–313 | Steam railcar | 13 | Sentinel | 1925–1927 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | Some were later fitted with small under-floor diesel units and were reclassified as T2. |
| R2 | 317–320 | Steam railcar | 4 | Sentinel | 1928 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | Some were later fitted with small under-floor diesel units and were reclassified as T2. |
| R3 | 321–327 | Steam railcar | 7 | Sentinel | 1928 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | Some were later fitted with small under-floor diesel units and were reclassified as T2. |
| R4 | 314–316 | Steam railcar | 3 | Clayton | 1928 | Broad Gauge (5ft 6in) | No | Some were later fitted with small under-floor diesel units and were reclassified as T2. |
| V1 | 328–330 | Steam railcar | 3 | Sentinel | 1927 | Narrow Gauge (2ft 6in) | No | |
| V2 | 331–333 | Steam railcar | 3 | Sentinel | 1928 | Narrow Gauge (2ft 6in) | No | |

## Diesel locomotives

| Class | Type |
| M | Diesel Electric Locomotives |
| W | Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives |
| G & Y | Shunters |
| N & P | Narrow Gauge Locomotives |
| S | Diesel Multiple Units |
| T | Diesel Rail Cars |

### Class M — Diesel Electric Locomotives

Diesel locomotives of Sri Lanka Railway are categorized into several classes and their sub classes.
| Class | Sub Class | Numbers | Type | Quantity | Manufacturer | Year | Model | Power | Operational? | Notes |
| M1 | | 539–563 | A1A-A1A | 25 | Brush Traction | 1952 | | 1000 hp | No | One is preserved at the National Railway Museum, Kadugannawa. |
| M2 | M2 | 569–573 | A1A-A1A | 5 | General Motors Diesel | 1954–1966 | G12 | 1400 hp | Yes | Except one (No. 571 Saskatchewan) all others are in operation. Locomotive No. 591 Manitoba was involved in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami train wreck, the largest single rail disaster in world history by death toll. |
| M2 | M2A | 591–593 | A1A-A1A | 3 | General Motors Diesel | 1954–1966 | G12 | 1400 hp | Yes | Except one (No. 571 Saskatchewan) all others are in operation. Locomotive No. 591 Manitoba was involved in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami train wreck, the largest single rail disaster in world history by death toll. |
| M2 | M2B | 594,595 | A1A-A1A | 2 | General Motors Diesel | 1954–1966 | G12 | 1400 hp | Yes | Except one (No. 571 Saskatchewan) all others are in operation. Locomotive No. 591 Manitoba was involved in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami train wreck, the largest single rail disaster in world history by death toll. |
| M2 | M2C | 626,627 | Bo-Bo | 2 | General Motors Diesel | 1954–1966 | G12 | 1400 hp | Yes | Except one (No. 571 Saskatchewan) all others are in operation. Locomotive No. 591 Manitoba was involved in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami train wreck, the largest single rail disaster in world history by death toll. |
| M2 | M2D | 628,629 | A1A-A1A | 2 | Electro-Motive Division | 1954–1966 | G12 | 1400 hp | Yes | Except one (No. 571 Saskatchewan) all others are in operation. Locomotive No. 591 Manitoba was involved in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami train wreck, the largest single rail disaster in world history by death toll. |
| M3 | | 589–590 | Bo-Bo | 2 | Sri Lankan Railways | 1956–1958 | | 360 hp | No | Engines (180 hp × 2) taken from S1 class. |
| M4 | | 743–756 | Co-Co | 14 | Montreal Locomotive Works | 1975 | MX-620 | 1750 hp | Yes | |
| M5 | M5 | 767–782 | Bo-Bo | 16 | Hitachi | 1979 | | 1640 hp | Yes | Some of the original M5 locomotives were rebuilt into new subclasses owing to mechanical issues: M5A: Re-engined locally using MTU V12 in 1991; has been condemned. M5B: Re-engined locally using Paxman V12 in 1997. M5C: Re-engined locally using Caterpillar 3516 DITA. |
| M5 | M5A | 769 | Bo-Bo | 1 | Sri Lanka Railways | | | 1150 hp | Yes | Some of the original M5 locomotives were rebuilt into new subclasses owing to mechanical issues: M5A: Re-engined locally using MTU V12 in 1991; has been condemned. M5B: Re-engined locally using Paxman V12 in 1997. M5C: Re-engined locally using Caterpillar 3516 DITA. |
| M5 | M5B | 768, 772, 777, 778 | Bo-Bo | 4 | Sri Lanka Railways | | | 1150 hp | Yes | Some of the original M5 locomotives were rebuilt into new subclasses owing to mechanical issues: M5A: Re-engined locally using MTU V12 in 1991; has been condemned. M5B: Re-engined locally using Paxman V12 in 1997. M5C: Re-engined locally using Caterpillar 3516 DITA. |
| M5 | M5C | 767, 771, 776, 779, 781, 782, 775 | Bo-Bo | 7 | Sri Lanka Railways | | | 1600 hp | Yes | Some of the original M5 locomotives were rebuilt into new subclasses owing to mechanical issues: M5A: Re-engined locally using MTU V12 in 1991; has been condemned. M5B: Re-engined locally using Paxman V12 in 1997. M5C: Re-engined locally using Caterpillar 3516 DITA. |
| M6 | | 783–798 | A1A-A1A | 16 | Thyssen-Henschel | 1979–1980 | G22 | 1650 hp | Yes | |
| M7 | | 799–814 | Bo-Bo | 16 | Brush Traction | 1981 | | 1000 hp | Yes | |
| M8 | M8 | 841-848 | Co-Co | 8 | Banaras Locomotive Works | 1995 | WDM-2 | 2600 hp | Yes | |
| M8 | M8A | 877, 878 | Co-Co | 2 | Banaras Locomotive Works | 2001 | WDM-2 | 2200 hp | Yes | |
| M9 | | 864–873 | Co-Co | 10 | Alstom | 2000 | AD32C | 1800 hp | Yes | Several units out of service shortly after introduction due to cost of spares and repair. |
| M10 | M10 | 915-917 | Co-Co | 3 | Banaras Locomotive Works | 2012 | WDM-3D (With Alco 251 series 12 diesel engine) | 2300 hp | Yes | Sub class M10A was introduced in 2013 which is a technical variant. |
| M10 | M10A | 940-945 | Co-Co | 6 | Banaras Locomotive Works | 2012 | WDM-3D (With Alco 251 series 12 diesel engine) | 2300 hp | Yes | Sub class M10A was introduced in 2013 which is a technical variant. |
| M11 | | 949-958 | Co-Co | 10 | Banaras Locomotive Works | 2018 | WDG-4D (With EMD 12-710 diesel engine) | 3200 hp | Yes | |

### Class W — Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives

| Class | Sub class | Numbers | Type | Quantity | Manufacturer | Year | Power | Operational? | Notes |
| W1 | | 630–674 | B-B | 45 | Rheinstahl Henschel | 1968–1969 | 1150 hp | Yes | 10 rebuilt with Caterpillar engines and reclassified W3. Only 2 locomotives are in operation. |
| W2 | W2 | 703–716, 729 | B-B | 15 | LEW | 1968–1972 | 1440 hp | Yes | 729 ex demonstrator, ran as DR V150.001; imported 1970. Several re-furbished and in operation. |
| W2 | W2A | 715 | B-B | 1 | Sri Lanka Railways | 2015 | 1440 hp | Yes | Rebuilt with a Paxman Valenta V12 engine. |
| W3 | | 631, 636, 638, 647, 659, 665, 666, 667, 669, 673 | B-B | 10 | Sri Lanka Railways | 1997–Present | 1150 hp | Yes | 10 rebuilt from class W1 with Caterpillar engines. Mainly used in up country line. |

### Classes G and Y — Shunters (also known as Switchers)

| Class | Numbers | Type | Quantity | Manufacturer | Year | Power | Livery | Notes |
| G1 | 500 | 0–4–0 DE | 1 | Armstrong Whitworth | 1934 - 2006 | 122 hp | No | Sulzer engine. One is preserved at the National Railway Museum, Kadugannawa. |
| G2 | 531–538 | Bo-Bo DE | 8 | North British Locomotive Company | 1950- 2000 | 625 hp | No | Paxman V8 engine. |
| Y | 675–702 | 0-6-0 DH | 28 | Hunslet Engine Company | 1968- 1973 | 530 hp | Yes | Still in operation. |
| Y1 | 721–728 | D DH | 8 | Sri Lanka Railways | 1972–1973 | | No | Paxman V12 engine. |

### Classes N and P — Narrow Gauge Locomotives

| Class | Numbers | Type | Quantity | Manufacturer | Year | Power | Operational? | Notes |
| N1 | 564–568 | 1-C-1 | 5 | Krupp | 1952–53 | 500 hp | No | |
| N2 | 730–732 | B-B | 3 | Kawasaki | 1973 | 600 hp | No | GM Detroit Diesel V16 engine. Ordered by Sri Lanka Veneers & Plywood. One is preserved at the National Railway Museum, Kadugannawa. |
| P1 | 527–530 | 0-6-0 | 4 | Hunslet Engine Company | 1950 | 120 hp | No | One is preserved at the National Railway Museum, Kadugannawa. |
Note: One class N2 locomotive was re-classified as Class E1 after fitting with Alstom pantographs, to be run under electric power. Not to be confused with the steam locomotive E1, this electric locomotive is not in commercial use. One class P1 locomotive was at Viharamahadevi (Victoria) Amusement Park.

### Class S - Diesel Push Pull Trains

S1–S8 Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Units, S9–S14, S14A Diesel Electric & Electro-Diesel Multiple Units
| Class | Sub-class | Numbers | Type | Quantity | Manufacturer | Year | Power | Operational? | Notes |
| S1 | | 501–503 | 4-car | 3 | English Electric | 1938 | 400 hp | No | Named Silver Foam, Silver Spray, and Silver Mist. |
| S2 | | 574–588 | | 15 | Schindler Carriage and Wagon Works | 1958 | 500 hp | No | |
| S3 | | 596–620 | | 25 | MAN | 1959 | 880 hp | No | One power car is preserved at the National Railway Museum, Kadugannawa. |
| S4 | | 621–624 | | 5 | MAN | 1961 | 1000 hp | No | |
| S5 | | 717–720 | 5-car | 2 sets | Hitachi | 1970 | 880 hp | No | Hitachi tourist excursion train. |
| S6 | | 733–742 | | 10 | Hitachi | 1974 | 1150 hp | No | Very similar in appearance to S7. Operated mainly on the broad gauged Kelani Valley line. |
| S7 | | 757–766 | | 10 | Hitachi | 1977 | 1000 hp | No | Very similar in appearance to S6. Operated mainly on the broad gauged Kelani Valley line. Two power cars are preserved at the National Railway Museum, Kadugannawa. |
| S8 | | 821–840 | | 20 | Hyundai | 1991 | 1150 hp | Yes | |
| S9 | | 849–863 | | 20 | CSR | 2000 | 1150 hp | Yes | |
| S10 | | 879-893 | | 15 | CSR | 2008 | | Yes | |
| S11 | | 894–913 | | 20 | ICF | 2011–2012 | 1360 hp | Yes | Designed with multi-class accommodation. |
| S12 | | 917–939 | | 22 | CSR | 2012 | 2000 hp | Yes | Power cars are single-ended locomotives without passenger interiors. Imported in two variants, one for run on commuter services and other run on long distance services. |
| S13 | S13 | 959–970 | | 6 (double sets) | ICF | 2017-2019 | 1800 hp | Yes | Power cars are single-ended locomotives without passenger interiors. |
| S13 | S13A | 993–996 | | 2 (double sets) | ICF | 2019-2021 | 1800 hp | Yes | Power car is a single-ended locomotive without passenger interiors. All trailer coaches are Air-conditioned Chair cars. |
| S14 | S14 | 971–988 | | 9 sets (2 power cars per set) | CRRC Qingdao Sifang | 2019-2020 | 1950 hp | Yes | Power cars are single-ended locomotives without passenger interiors. |
| S14 | S14A | 989–992 | | 4 (power cars) | CRRC Qingdao Sifang | 2019-2020 | 1950 hp | Yes | |

### Class T - Diesel Rail Cars & Other

The various Railbus units that are currently operated are not listed below.
| Class | Numbers | Type | Quantity | Manufacturer | Year | Model | Power | Operational? | Notes |
| T1 | 504–526 | Railcar | 23 | English Electric | 1947 | | 200 hp | No | Coupled in Twin Units. |
| T2 | | Railcar | | | 1950 | | | No | Converted from steam rail car in 1950. |
| Mini Loco 1 | | Diesel locomotive | 1 | SLR Rathmalana Works | 1997 | | 150 hp | No | |
| Locally built rail buses | RB1-RB14 | Rail Bus | 14 | SLR Rathmalana Works | 1995-2002 | Based on: Tata 1210/48 Ashok Leyland Viking 193 Bus Chassis | TATA :- NA 692 DI 97 hp Ashok Leyland :- 0.400 - 110 hp WO6E1- 119hp HAL6ETI - 113 hp | Yes | |