| Sri Lanka Railways S12 | |
|---|---|
 Class S12 No. 925 | |
| Stock type | Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit |
| Manufacturer | CSR |
| Built at | Sifang, China |
| Replaced | Class M5, Class M6 |
| Constructed | 2012 |
| Number built | 23 locomotives |
| Number in service | 23 locomotives |
| Successor | Sri Lanka Railways S14 |
| Formation | MCG + 3xTC + 3xSC + 1xFC + 1xRC + MCG (Main Line Set) || MCG + 5xTC + DDCG (KV Set) |
| Fleet numbers | 917-939 |
| Capacity | 44 (AFC) + 66*3 (TC) + 52 (TCBU) + 44*3 (SC) = 426 |
| Operator | Sri Lanka Railways |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Car length | 50 ft (15.24 m) |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) (De-rated 80 km/h or 50 mph) |
| Prime mover | MTU 12V4000R41 Two engines per unit in Main Line Set |
| Engine type | V12 |
| Power output | 1,950 hp (1,450 kW) |
| Transmission | Diesel-electric |
| Braking systems | Air (Knorr-Bremse), Dynamic |
| Coupling system | Automatic (dual) |
| Track gauge | 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) |
Sri Lanka Railways S12 is a class of Diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) built for Sri Lanka Railways by China's CSR Corporation. The first batch arrived in Sri Lanka in August 2012. They were built to replace locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Seven of the S12 DMUs were ordered to strengthen long-distance travel on the Main line from Colombo to Badulla. Four of S12s were built to serve the Kelani Valley Line. The remaining two sets were designed as a luxury train.[1]
History
The S12 DEMUs were meant to improve services on the Main Line and the Kelani Valley Line. The steep hills and tight curves on the mountainous section of the Main Line is difficult to operate. Prior to the S12, only a few classes of locomotives were capable of operating this line. As DEMUs started to replace locomotive-operated trains on other lines, the up-country Main Line could not be operated by DEMUs. The S12 is the first DEMU to handle these conditions.
The locomotives were purchased under a US$101 million credit line agreement with China. The loan was to be settled within 15 years.[2]
In September 2012, the first units had trial runs.[1] The first Main Line train operated by the S12 began on 23 October 2012.[3]
Most of the named services operated by the S12 DEMUs were later taken over by the newer S14 DEMUs.
Current fleet details
| Class | Configuration | Line | Operator | No. locos in fleet | No. of sets in service | Year built | Cars per Set | Unit numbers. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S12 | Long Distance | Main Line | Sri Lanka Railways | 15 | 7[1] | 2012 - 2013[1] | 8 | 917-939 |
| Commuter | KV Line | 4 | 4[2] | 7 | ||||
| Luxury | 4 | 2[1] | 8 |
Operations
Class S12 train sets are used in three different configurations as mentioned above, for Long distance trains, long distance luxury trains and short distance commuter trains. They are operated mainly on the Main Line (Long distance config) and Kelani Valley Line (Commuter config).
Gallery
Class S12 at Ohiya Railway Station
Class S12 in Ambewela
Class S12 at Idalgashinna Railway Station
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References
- Range, Irangika (5 September 2012). "Five more power sets in operation". Ceylon Daily News. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- Range, Irangika (18 October 2012). "New power sets to reduce travel time - minister". Ceylon Daily News. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- Range, Irangika (23 October 2012). "Luxury train service launched". Ceylon Daily News. Retrieved 27 October 2012.