Sri Lanka Railways M9
Class of M9 Sri Lanka diesel-electric locomotives
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sri Lankan Railways M9 locomotive is a mainline 6 axle Co'Co' diesel electric locomotive built by Alstom (manufacturers code AD 32C) and imported in 2000 for the Sri Lanka Railways.
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M9 No. 864 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The locomotives initially had both electrical and mechanical problems, and several were out of service for several years. In 2010 the process of returning the fleet to service began.
History
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Ten units were ordered in 1997 and delivered in 2000, costing 190 million Sri Lankan rupees each[citation needed]. By 2010 only 3 were in operation due to technical problems,[needs update][1] Various problems were described including engine malfunction, and problems with the engine control units,[3] as well as the machines requiring modifications for use on curving track.[4][unreliable source?]
The delay in returning the locomotives to service was ascribed to an unaffordability of spare parts,[3][5] and prohibitive cost of work by foreign firms.[4]
The first of the 7 inoperative locomotives, number 869, was returned to service after 6 years in September 2010, following work by the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) and the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI).[3][6]
Operation
M9s were not allowed on line above Nawalapitiya, Kelani Valley Line and Matale line.[7]
