Class G1

Latest Livery. Photo owned by Nalin Abeysinghe

Class G1 Specifications:

Locomotive Class: G1

Manufactured Country: England

Manufactured Company: Armstrong Whiteworth

Imported Year: 1934

Type of Locomotive: Diesel Electric

Prime Mover: Saurer 6BXD

Maximum Power: 120hp – 1400RPM

Maximum Speed: 32kmph

Axel Arrangement: 0-4-0

Weight: 20 Tons

Length: 17.5 feet

Load: P

Colour: Red & White (Past), Black & an Orange colour strip (Later) &

No. of Locomotives Imported: 1

Locomotive Number: 500

Class G1 is the first diesel locomotive brought by Sri Lanka Railway & this is the smallest & lightest locomotive which ran on broad gauge lines in Sri Lanka. This loco was manufactured by Armstrong Whiteworth Company for Sri Lanka Railways which was known as Ceylon Government Railway before. The target of importing this locomotive was to use this for shunting purposes.

The main railway workshop of Sri Lanka was built in Ratmalana in 1930 & this locomotive was used for shunting purposes in workshop premises. This low powered loco only has one traction motor. The prime mover of this was 120hp Saurer 6BXD type engine originally & in 1960 it was replaced by a Rolls Royce – C6SFL 127C/6A type engine.

This historical locomotive rendered its maximum service to SLR till 2006 for 70 consecutive years & it was withdrawn from the service. Now it’s nominated to be stationed in the proposed railway museum in Kadugannawa.

Credits to Gehan Chandika.