COLOMBO : Of the 32 locomotives listed for export to Sri Lanka, 22 will be sent for regular use as a friendly gesture. Among the 32 selected, 11 are from the Central Railway (CR) and six from the Western Railway (WR) and five are from Mumbai. Of the 11 on the CR list, four are from Mumbai’s Kurla Diesel Loco Shed, and one is from the Kalyan Diesel Loco Shed.
“These WDM3A Alco-class locomotives have been workhorses, powering top-tier trains across Indian Railways, especially on the Konkan Railway before electrification. Developed in 2003 by the Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi, and manufactured until 2016, these diesel-electric locomotives feature 3300-horsepower engines,” said an official.
“The Sri Lankan Government requested a supply of 22 diesel locos. They will be sent in excellent working condition. The Ministry of External Affairs, through the Railway Board’s Infrastructure Directorate, has approved the dispatch of 22 working WDM3D Alco Diesel Locomotives to the Sri Lanka Railways,” the official added. Earlier, a few WDM3D units had also been exported or gifted to Sri Lanka.
These diesel locomotives are known for their distinctive chugging sound and powerful rumble.
(Mid-Day)
