Sri Lanka Railways class M2

The Sri Lanka Railways Class M2 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1954 by General Motors Diesel, Canada, and Electro-Motive Division, USA. This is considered one of the most successful locomotives in Sri Lanka.
It is a General Motors Diesel (Canada) EMD G12 model using the EMD 567C, 1,425-horsepower (1,063 kW) engine.
==Description==
===Introduction===
From 1954, several batches of General Motors-manufactured locomotives were imported to Sri Lanka under "The Colombo Plan". Locally called a "Canadian" engine – there are actually two classes of Canadian engines in SLR – the other one is Class M4. Since these engine were imported under grants from the Canadian government, class M2 locomotives are named with Canadian province and city names. The last two locomotives were made in the United States and imported for Cement Corporation, Sri Lanka. But they were later attached to Sri Lanka Railways locomotive fleet. They were named after two local cities – Galle and Kankasanthurei – where the cement factories were located.
===Entering into Service===
The class entered service in January 1955. "Ruhunu Kumari" Train started using M2 572 " British Columbia" 24 October 1955, the first long distance luxury passenger train service in Sri Lanka. same loco hauled the first "Udarata Manike" Colombo Badulla train on 23 April 1956 and same day started "Yal davi" hauled by M2 569 "ontario", in the far north of the country.
===Sub Classes===
Sub Class	Builder 	Weight 	Specifications 	Axle Arrangement	Year	No.of Locomotives	No's
M2A 	General Motors Diesel 	79 tonnes	GM V12 G12-567c	A1A-A1A 	1959	3 	591, 592, 593
M2B 	General Motors Diesel 	79 tonnes	GM V12 G12-567c	A1A-A1A 	1958	2 	594, 595
M2C 	General Motors Diesel 	79 tonnes	GM V12 G12-567c	Bo-Bo 	1961	2 	626, 627
M2D 	Electro-Motive Division	79 tonnes	GM V12 G12-567e	A1A-A1A 	1966	2 	628, 629
===In Service===
This have been used on both passenger and freight trains on Sri Lanka's railways for over 50 years. Despite the introduction of more modern types of traction, as of 2013 a significant number are still in use.
===Locomotive Fleet===
Table of locomotives
Class	Number	Name 	Serial No.	Imported Year
M2 	569 	Ontario 	A608 	1954
M2 	570 	Alberta 	A609 	1954
M2 	571 	Saskatchewan 	A720 	1954
M2 	572 	British Columbia 	A721 	1954
M2 	573 	Quebec 	A722 	1955
M2a 	591 	Manitoba 	A894 	1956
M2a 	592 	Nova Scotia 	A895 	1956
M2b 	593 	New Brunswick 	A896 	1956
M2b 	594 	Prince Edward Island	A1325 	1958
M2b 	595 	Newfoundland 	A1326 	1958
M2c 	626 	Montreal 	A1920 	1961
M2c 	627 	Vancouver 	A1921 	1961
M2d 	628 	Kankesanthurai 	31211 	1966
M2d 	629 	Galle 	31212 	1966
===Accidents & Incidents===
*Number 569, 570, 571 landed in Sri Lanka on 2 and 3 December 1954.
*Number 569 went on the first trial on 10 December 1954.
*Number 571 went on the first trial on 15 December 1954.
*Number 570 went on the first trial on 30 December 1954.
*Number 572 went on the maiden journey with Ruhunu Kumari on 24 October 1955.
*Number 572 went on the maiden journey with Udarata Manike on 24 April 1956.
*Number 570 was trapped in Kankasanthurei from 1992 to 1996 due to the civil war after hauling the last night mail train to Kankasanthurei. Brought to Colombo by ship as parts, re-assembled and went back on track.
*Number 571 Saskatchewan was completely destroyed on 14 September 1985 near Pollipothana due to a bomb blast by terrorists.
*Number 570 Alberta faced minor damages land mine in Punani on 7 June 2007 and severely damaged as a result of Pothuhera train accident on 30 April 2014
*Number 591 Manitoba was damaged on 26 December 2004 when pulling the Matara Express and was hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami. and added back to service after four months. This was repainted depicting a sea wave on its livery.
*Number 628 Kankasanthurai was badly damaged by a land mine, but was rebuilt
==Gallery==
File:Railway track along Colombo shore line.JPG|M2 628
File:M2loco.jpg|Class M2 No. 628 - Kankasanthurai
File:Udarate Menike train on the Colombo-Badulla route.JPG|Class M2 Hauling Udarata Menike train Over Scenic Hill Country
File:SRI LANKAN CLASS M9 LOCO HAULED LOCAL TRAIN GALLE TO MATARA AT GALLE STATION SRI LANKA JAN 2013 (8494889804).jpg|Class M2 593 - New Brunswick
File:R - 2022-12-27T195542.353.jpg|#591 on it's side
Category:Sri Lanka
Category:Diesel locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:Diesel-electric locomotives
Category:EMD locomotives