Sri Lanka Railways M6 is a class of 16 Diesel-electric locomotives imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Manufactured by Thyssen-Henschel in Kassel, West Germany, under licence from Electro-Motive Division of the United States. As an EMD G22M, it has a V12 EMD 645 engine rated at 1,650 hp (1,230 kW). Most are still in service. Very successful in upcountry line, since it has Flexicoil truck (bogies) and dynamic brakes. Loco numbers 793 and 798 engines were destroyed by LTTE terrorists. M6 790 (Udarata Menike) was involved in the Watawala landslip incident.
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Quick Facts Type and origin, Power type ...
Sri Lanka Railway M6 |
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Sri Lanka Railways Class M6 number 790 locomotive |
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Performance figures |
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Maximum speed | 96.6 km/h (60.0 mph) |
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Power output | 1,650 hp (1,230 kW) |
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Tractive effort | (ù=0.3) 193 kN (43,000 lbf) |
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Career |
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Operators | Sri Lanka Railways |
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Numbers | 783 to 798 |
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First run | 1979 september |
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Disposition | Still in service |
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Standard livery: green, red and yellow stripes
ICE livery: red and orange on loco numbers 785, 788, 797.
792 also was in ICE livery in the 1990s, now standard livery. |
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These locomotives were originally imported for use on flat terrain, but they are very successful in upcountry line. Its flexicoil bogies and dynamic brakes allow it to perform well in the upcountry. Therefore, the M6 fleet is frequently used in upcountry line. M6 locomotives were used for upcountry express trains Udarata Menike and Podi Menike until 2012 and was succeeded by S12 & S14. M6 locomotives are currently used for upcountry Night Mail trains and Upcountry Commuter Trains.