The unforgettable 'M1' locomotive

By Ravi Fernando

History of Sri Lanka Railway could be categorised into three parts. The first instance was cutting of first sod to build the railway line, way back in 1858. The second was, when people of this land had a novel mode of transport called railways, which was in 1865. The third most important historic occasion was when Ceylon Government Railway started dieselization in 1953.

The first locomotive that was introduced way back in 1953 was classified by C.G.R., as "Class M1", built by Brush Bagnall of Great Britain. When the Ceylon Government Railway was satisfied with the initial locomotive, they placed an order for another 25 locos, ranging from No. 549 to 573.

The engine had a beautiful red colour for its body, weighed 88 tons, and fitted with 1000hp Meerlees V12 engine. This locomotive was used to pull passenger trains all over the country when the locomotive was introduced. For upcountry runs, these locomotives were double headed. One can recall the ritual at Nawalapitiya station. The down train will uncouple one locomotive and will couple again with the up train. To my memory this is the only occasion where this was done.

The M1 loco synonymously linked with a name of B. D. Rampala, the most famous and much respected chief mechanical engineer, and later the first Sinhalese General Manager of CGR. He served in this post from 1955 up to 1970. Still people who were associated with him recall how he maintained discipline in CGR.

When M1 was brought to Ceylon, Brush Bagnall did not carry out proper test trials due to a different gauge used in UK. It is said a locomotive engineer of Brush Bagnall too accompanied this locomotive without any operating manual. He was reluctant to start the engine and did not allow anyone to do so. When Mr. Rampala heard this he ordered his subordinates to start the locomotive.

Fortunately his assistant A. R. P. Wijesekera who was in London some years back had some drawing of the control panel of the M1 loco. They checked all the circuits, fuel system etc. and it is ready for the test run. Rampala took over the controls with a full 500-ton load behind him. He started slowly on slower speed notches. After reaching Kelaniya Railway Station, he shifted the notch to higher speed. Suddenly a big noise was heard behind.

When Wijesekera hurried behind the loco to see what happened, he noticed due to the huge pull, the drawbar was broken. Rampala knew the solution. He summoned his most experienced electrical foreman and worked out an innovation which was very simple and effective. In a matter of a few hours the loco was on the move with the load.

When the engineer, C. E. James, in-charge of the M1 locomotive controls of Brush Bagnall visited Ceylon to observe the modifications done by Rampala. A trial was arranged to Galle with a passenger train. They reached Galle without an incident.

However, after having launched and when they returned to journey back to Colombo, the engine did not start.

When the driver shut down the loco at Galle, a battery contactor had stuck. The short circuit had heated the control wires and had chain reactions on other circuits too. As usual Mr. Rampala had not panicked and asked someone to bring a knife and coir ropes. He separated the wires of each and every circuit held the wires apart with coir ropes and was able to bring back the locomotive back to Colombo without an incident.

These are very few of the incidents to indicate the spectacular innovations done by Mr. Rampala, which he had not bragged about. He worked for the railway not for his own benefits. He was a strict disciplinarian and good administrator. He gained world recognition when he presented papers on M1 locomotive in Engineers Conference in London in 1956.

Class M1 locomotive ran for nearly three decades from 1953 to 1983. It was regarded as a beautiful and strong looking locomotive. Withdrawn from service in 1983 there are still some locomotives lying at Ratmalana Workshop corroded beyond use. Fortunately there was one locomotive in Dematagoda Running Shed which was in a fairly good condition, We, as railway enthusiasts, as well as some dedicated people at the railway think this locomotive could be rehabilitated.

We hope as a mark of respect to B. D. Rampala, Minister of Transport, Dinesh Gunawardena should initiate this project.