Sri Lanka Railways M7

Sri Lanka Railways Class M7
Class M7 Locomotive
Type and origin Power type Diesel Builder Brush Traction Build date 1981 Total produced 16
Specifications Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Length 12.8 m (41 ft 11+7⁄8 in) Loco weight 66 tons Prime mover GM 8-645E Engine type V8 2 stroke diesel Transmission Diesel-electric
Performance figures Maximum speed 80 km/h (50 mph) Power output 994 hp (741 kW)
Career Operators Sri Lanka Railways Number in class 16 Numbers 799 ~ 814 Delivered 1981 Disposition Active, except N0. 803
N0. 803 was condemned

Class M7 is a type of diesel-electric locomotive built for Sri Lanka Railways by Brush Traction, UK, and imported in 1981. This locomotive has the shortest length, least power and least weight compared to other diesel locomotives of Sri Lanka.

History

Three locomotives (803, 813, 814) were painted in a special color scheme and later was painted in normal livery.

In 1999 M7 locomotive No. 803 met with an accident and was seriously damaged and condemned.

Usage

This locomotive was introduced as a shunter by the manufacturer, Brush Traction. In Sri Lanka, these are mostly used in short passenger services. M7s are not permitted on the Main Line because of the low power and lack of dynamic braking but it can be run on all the other of the railway lines in Sri Lanka including the Kelani Valley Line.

Gallery

• 
  A M7 at Galle station
• 
  M7 pulling a train to Matara station.