Sri Lanka Railways S12

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Sri Lanka Railways Class S12
Class S12 No. 925
ManufacturerCSR
Built atSifang, China
Family nameD 22 (KV Set)
Constructed2012
Number built22 trainsets
Number in service22
FormationMCG + 3xTC + 3xSC + 1xFC + 1xRC + MCG (Main Line Set), MCG + 5xTC + DDCG (KV Set)
Capacity44 (AFC) + 66*3 (TC) + 52 (TCBU) + 44*3 (SC) = 426
OperatorsSri Lanka Railways
Specifications
Car body constructionManufactured In Stainless steel
Car length50 ft (15.24 m)
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph) (De-rated 80 km/h or 50 mph)
WeightEngine Horse Power 1950 (KW 1450)
Prime mover(s)MTU 12V4000R41 Two engines per unit in Main Line Set
Engine typeV12
TransmissionDiesel-electric
Braking system(s)Air (Knorr-Bremse), Dynamic
Coupling systemAutomatic (dual)
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)

Class S12 is a diesel multiple-unit (DMU), 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 will serve the Kelani Valley Line. The remaining two designed as luxury trains.[1]

History[edit]

The S12 DMUs were meant to improve services on the Main Line and the Kelani Valley Line. The steep slopes on the up-country portion of the Main Line is difficult to operate. Prior to the S12, only a few models of locomotives were capable of operating this line. As DMUs started to replace locomotive-operated trains on other lines, the up-country Main Line could not be operated by DMUs. The S12 is the first DMU to handle these conditions.

The locomotives are purchased under a USD 101 million credit line agreement with China. The loan would be settled within 15 years.[2]

In September 2012, the first units had trial runs.[1] The first Main-Line train using the S12 began on 23 October 2012.[3]

A S12 At Ohiya Station

Current fleet details[edit]

Class Configuration Operator No. in service Year Built Cars per Set Unit numbers.
Class S12 Main Line sets Sri Lanka Railways 7[1] 2012 - 2013[1] 8 917 - 939
Office sets 4[2] 7
Special Sets 2[1] 8

Current operations[edit]

Main Line sets

Office sets

Luxury sets

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Range, Irangika (5 September 2012). "Five more power sets in operation". Ceylon Daily News. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b Range, Irangika (18 October 2012). "New power sets to reduce travel time - minister". Ceylon Daily News. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  3. ^ Range, Irangika (23 October 2012). "Luxury train service launched". Ceylon Daily News. Retrieved 27 October 2012.