Class G2

Class G2 535 at Bandarawela
Photo: Gehan Chandika

Class G2 Specifications:

Locomotive Class: G2

Manufactured Country: England

Manufactured Company: North British Locomotives

Imported Year: 1952

Type of Locomotive: Diesel Electric

Prime Mover: Paxman 12RPHXL

Maximum Power: 625hp – 1250RPM

Maximum Speed: 32kmph

Axel Arrangement: 0-8-0

Weight: 54 Tons

Length: 37.6 feet

Load: D

Colour: Black

No. of Locomotives Imported: 8

Locomotive Number: 531 – 538

It seems like SLR has paid attention for using diesel locomotives for shunting purposes as they bought 8 Class G2 locomotives . They arrived Sri Lanka 22 years after the arrival of G1 & this is the first time SLR purchased most number of shunting locos.

These locomotives were very helpful to shunt freight carriages as there was a high demand for freight trains in that era. G2s had Paxman 12RPHXL type prime movers & their power was de-rated to 375hp from 625hp. This is the first instance where a de-rating of a locomotive happen & it was done because shunting locomotives don’t need that much of power to operate.

This locomotive was used mainly for heavy shunting purposes & it hauled freight trains from Colombo to areas like Kandy occasionally. However locomotives with no dynamic brakes don’t have the permission to access up country line now.

These locomotives were in service until 1980 decade & Class G2 536 was used for shunting in Ratmalana workshops till 1990. There are no records that these locos hauled a passenger train.

After withdrawn from the service most of G2s were scrapped & only 2 locomotives (No.535 & 536) are available now. No.535 was given to the University of Peradeniya. But due to the difficulties in transporting this loco to the University premises it was stationed at Kandy running shed for few years. Now it’s stationed in Bandarawela Railway Station & No.536 is now left at Ratmalana workshops yard.

Credits to Gehan Chandika.