Bangladesh Railway Class 2000

Bangladesh Railway Class 2000 is a class of meter-gauge diesel-electric locomotives of Bangladesh operated by Bangladesh Railway.[1][2][3] Total 40 locos of this class entered the fleet of the then Eastern Bengal Railway in 1953, 1954 and 1956.

Bangladesh Railway Class 2000
Locomotive 2021 in 2017
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
DesignerElectro Motive Division
BuilderGeneral Motors Diesel
Order numberC155
Serial numberA443–A482
ModelEMD B12
Build date1953–1954, 1956
Total produced40
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARA1A-A1A
Gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)
Wheel diameter40 in (1.016 m)
Length44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
Loco weight71.2 tonnes (70.1 long tons; 78.5 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity3,000 litres (660 imp gal; 790 US gal)
Prime moverEMD 12-567C
Engine typeTwo-stroke
AspirationRoots-type supercharger
Traction motorsDC
TransmissionDiesel-electric
Gear ratio63:14
Loco brakeVacuum
CouplersNorwegian
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Power output1,125 hp (839 kW)
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting40,500 lbf (180.15 kN)
 • Continuous28,000 lbf (124.55 kN)
Career
Operators
ClassMEG-11
Numbers2000–2039
Preserved1 (2000)
Current ownerBangladesh Railway
Disposition6 active

Upon introduction, these locos were used in both passenger and freight trains. Passenger trains like Ulka Express, Mohanagar Express and Parabat Express were hauled by these locos. But due to their old age, they are not used in passenger trains anymore. Among the freight trains, they are now prominently seen in container trains, but also used in other types of freight trains like oil tankers.

Builders details

Class 2000 locos were manufactured by the General Motors Diesel (GMD) in London, Canada.[4] Their model is EMD B12. These 40 locos came to the then East Pakistan in 3 phases:[5]

  • August–October, 1953: 2000–2009
  • July–September, 1954: 2010–2024
  • March–April, 1956: 2025–2039

Technical details

Class 2000 locos are the first diesel locos of Bangladesh. They are the only single-cab diesel locos of the country that have no hood on the sides, so operating them in reverse direction is risky. Turntables are required for these locos.[6]

These locos use the EMD 12-567C as prime mover. Their power is 1,125 hp and can achieve speed up to 100 km/h. The wheel arrangement is A1A-A1A. These locos are considered one of the most successful loco class of Bangladesh. As of 2020 (64–67 years later), 6 locos of this class are active (2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2030). One loco (2000) is preserved at Pahartali Diesel Shop, Chittagong.

Besides East Pakistan, 9 more EMD B12 locos were also produced for the Victoria a Minas Railway of Brazil. Those locos have much similar specifications with class 2000 locos. There are some differences like, the wheel arrangement is B-B instead of A1A-A1A.

Classification and numbering

The number-series/class of these locos is 2000 and are numbered from 2000 to 2039. Their class-name/specification is "MEG-11". Here, M = Meter-gauge, E = Diesel-electric, G = GMD and 11 = 11 × 100 = 1,100 hp (actually 1,125 hp).

Liveries
  1. Green-yellow (EBR livery) (no longer used)
  2. Red with white stripes (no longer used)
  3. Blue
  4. Green-yellow[7]
  5. Green

Maintenance

Class 2000 locos are based in Chittagong railway division. They are maintained at Pahartali Diesel Shop, Chittagong. These locos are not allowed to cross Bangabandhu Bridge due to mechanical restrictions. Therefore, they can not go to the Central Locomotive Workshop at Parbatipur, Dinajpur for maintenance.

  • 2015 (left)
  • 2021
  • 2025

References
  1. "Analysis of Problems" (PDF). Bangladesh Railway. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
  2. "GM B12 — Trainspo". trainspo.com. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
  3. "Final Report on Rolling Stock Maintenance" (PDF). Asian Development Bank.
  4. "Railway to procure nine locomotives". The Daily Star. 12 January 2010.
  5. Utah Rail. "GM Locomotives Built In Canada".
  6. "Bangladesh: Railways and ship breaking yards". www.farrail.com. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  7. "General Motors Diesel Ltd". Old Time Trains.

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