Bangladesh Railway Class 2900

Bangladesh Railway Class 2900 is, as of 2020, the most frequently used meter-gauge diesel electric locomotive of Bangladesh Railway. This reliable locomotive series has been in service since 1999. Bangladesh Railway has a total 39 locomotives of this class. These 39 locomotives are being used in both passenger and freight services.

Bangladesh Railway Class 2900
Locomotive 2938 with Subarna Express
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
DesignerElectro Motive Division
BuilderHyundai Rotem
Serial number2901-2939
ModelGT18LA-2
Build date1999-2013
Total produced39
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARA1A-A1A
Gauge1,000 mm
Loco weight72 ton
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity3000 Liter
Prime moverEMD 8-645E3C
Engine typeTwo-stroke V8 diesel engine
AspirationRoots-type supercharger
Traction motorsDC
Loco brakeStraight Air
CouplersNorwegian coupling
Performance figures
Maximum speed107 km/h (66 mph)
Power output1500 hp
Tractive effort98,000 LBF
Career
ClassMEI-15
Current ownerBangladesh Railway
DispositionActive

Builders details

Class 2900 locomotives are mainly built by Hyundai Rotem of South Korea[1] under License of EMD. These 39 locomotives came to Bangladesh in 4 phases. They are-

  • Year 1999 = 2901-2908
  • Year 2004 = 2909-2919
  • Year 2011 = 2920-2928
  • Year 2013 = 2929-2939

Technical details

Bangladesh Railway Class 2900 is a 1500 hp locomotive. The Electro Motive Division export model of this locomotive is GT18LA-2. The wheel arrangement of this locomotive is A1A-A1A. This locomotive can speed up to 107 kilometres per hour (66 mph) with passenger trains. Class 2900 locomotives have a similar specification to Bangladesh Railway Class 2600 and Bangladesh Railway Class 2700 locomotives.

Bangladesh Railway specification of this locomotive is 'MEI-15'. Here - M stands for meter-gauge, E Stands for diesel electric, I stands for Hyundai Rotem and 15 stands for locomotive horsepower (x100).

Usage

The Class 2900 locomotive can be used both for passenger services and freight services. It is highly recommended for prominent Bangladeshi trains like Suborno Express, Shonar Bangla Express, Parabat Express etc. Long distance trains like Lalmoni Express always run with Class 2900 locomotives.

The Class 2900 locomotive is considered efficient for freight services as well. It pulls containers, oil tankers and other departmental freight trains regularly across the country.

Maintenance

Class 2900 Locomotives are maintained in the following workshops :

  • Central Locomotive Workshop (CLW) at Parbatipur, Dinajpur.
  • Diesel Workshop at Pahartali, Chittagong.

Accidents and incidents
  • Locomotive no. 2933 was one of the newest locomotives of Class 2900 which met a fatal accident in Noyapara upazila, Habiganj district on 7 October 2016. The locomotive caught fire soon after it derailed with the Parabat Express near Noapara rail station. The driver's cab and electrical cabinet of the locomotive were completely destroyed in the fire.[2] On 25 February, 2020, Central Locomotive Workshop repaired and fully restored this locomotive. Now this locomotive is running in service.[3]
  • Locomotive 2923 was hauling the Turna Nishita passenger train which overran a red signal and collided head-on with the Udayan Express at Mondobhag railway station, Kasba on 12 November 2019. Sixteen people were killed and over 100 were injured.[4] As of December 2019, Locomotive 2923 has been repaired and has rejoined the locomotive fleet in service.
  • 2902
  • 2904
  • 2909
  • 2911
  • 2914
  • 2915
  • 2916
  • 2919
  • 2921 (right)
  • 2924
  • 2927
  • 2929
  • 2932
  • 2933
  • 2934
  • 2935
  • 2937
  • 2938
  • 2939
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See also

References
  1. "Railway to procure nine locomotives". The Daily Star. 12 January 2010.
  2. "Parabat Express engine catches fire". Daily Sun. 7 October 2016.
  3. "রেলের অচল ইঞ্জিন সচল, বাঁচল ৩০ কোটি টাকা". প্রথম আলো (in Bengali). Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  4. Hartley-Parkinson, Richard. "At least 16 dead after two packed trains are ripped apart after crash". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
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