Sri Lanka Railways S5

Sri Lanka Railways S5
Class S5 DMU at Hikkaduwa, December 1980
Stock typeDiesel Multiple Unit
In service1969-present
ManufacturerHitachi
Order no.2
Constructed1969
Number built2
Formation2 engine compartments + 3 passenger cars
Fleet numbers717 & 720
Capacity100
OperatorsSri Lanka Railways, Airport & Aviation Services Limited
DepotsHydraulic Locomotive Shed, Maradana
Specifications
Car length16.67 m (54 ft 8+1⁄4 in)
DoorsAutomatic (Operated By Vacuum)
Maximum speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Weight63 t (62 long tons; 69 short tons) per power car
Prime mover(s)FED[clarification needed]/Paxman 8YJXL-V71[1]
Engine typePaxman
Power output900 hp (670 kW)
TransmissionDiesel-Hydraulic
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)

The Sri Lanka Railways Class S5 is a diesel multiple unit (DMU) built by Hitachi and introduced to Sri Lanka between 1969 and 1970, only two of which were imported. The class was built with modern interior facilities aimed towards the special train tours market.[2]

Description

A one-train set consists of 2 power cars (including the engine) and 3 passenger cars. Previous classes of DMUs in Sri Lanka had only one power car; with their extra capacity, Class S5s could operate on upcountry main lines. Their total passenger capacity is 100.

Facilities

The train comprises a buffet car and a kitchen; all passenger cars were air conditioned. There was also an automatic door system which was later removed. There was an interior communication system.

Operations

This class could be operated in any railway line in Sri Lanka except the Kelani Valley Line. It was only used for chartered services and has performed on the up-country line several times.

Incidents

In 1970 due to an accident, the engine of No. 720 power car was destroyed. These 717-720 train-sets were later refurbished with only one engine per train.

Acquisition By Airport & Aviation Services Limited

One S5 DMU (718-719) was chartered by Sri Lanka Airport & Aviation Services Limited and this was repainted in light blue and dark blue livery. The new painted S5's inaugural run was for IIFA Awards guests to Colombo Fort from Katunayake.

  • Class S5 engine 720 attached to a S5 carriage at the Hydraulic Locomotive Shed, depot for S5s
    Class S5 engine 720 attached to a S5 carriage at the Hydraulic Locomotive Shed, depot for S5s
  • Engine 720 on the approach to Coral Gardens Halt
    Engine 720 on the approach to Coral Gardens Halt

See also

References

  1. ^ "෴S5 බලවේග දුම්රිය - ශ්‍රීලංකාවේ ප්‍රථම ඩීසල් සුඛෝපභෝගී බලවේග දුම්රිය෴". ෴අඟුරු කකා වතුර බිබී කොළඹ දුවන යකඩ යකා෴. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Class S5". Sri Lanka Railways Info Page. 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2025-01-06.