Bangladesh Railway Class 2300
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Bangladesh Railway Class 2300 is a class of metre-gauge diesel-electric locomotives operated by Bangladesh Railway. Built by the Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) of Canada in 1969–70, a total of 24 units were produced. Classified as MEM-14, the locomotives are powered by an ALCO 251B-6 engine producing 1,400 hp (1,000 kW). The class is used in both passenger and freight services across Bangladesh's metre-gauge railway network.[1]
Specifications
The Class 2300 locomotives are rated at 1,400 hp (1,000 kW) and use the MLW model designation DL535A, also catalogued by ALCO as the RSD-30. They have a Co-Co wheel arrangement and are fitted with an ALCO 251B-6 inline six-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine with turbocharging. The engine operates within a speed range of 400 to 1,100 rpm and has a compression ratio of 12.5:1.[1]
The locomotives are mounted on ALCO trimount bogies and have a total weight of 72 t (71 long tons; 79 short tons), with an axle load of 12 t (26,000 lb). The fuel tank capacity is 3,000 L (660 imp gal; 790 US gal).[1]
The design and specifications are broadly similar to those of the Bangladesh Railway Class 2400, Bangladesh Railway Class 2500 and Bangladesh Railway Class 2800 locomotive classes, all of which share the same ALCO 251B-6 prime mover.[1]
History
The Class 2300 locomotives were introduced in 1969–70, representing Bangladesh Railway's first major procurement of the Montreal Locomotive Works DL535A platform for its metre-gauge network. All 24 locomotives were delivered in a single phase. The successful operation of the Class 2300 fleet subsequently led to further acquisitions from the same manufacturer, including the similar Class 2400 locomotives delivered in 1978.[1]
Like other locomotive classes in Bangladesh, the Class 2300 forms part of an aging rolling stock fleet that has required ongoing maintenance and modernization efforts in subsequent decades. As of recent reports, 21 of the original 24 units remain in active service.[1]
Classification and numbering
The class designation MEM-14 follows Bangladesh Railway's locomotive classification system, where:
- M indicates metre gauge
- E indicates diesel-electric transmission
- M indicates the manufacturer, Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW)
- 14 denotes a power rating of 1,400 horsepower
The locomotives are numbered sequentially from 2301 to 2324.[1]
Service
Class 2300 locomotives are employed across both passenger and freight operations on the metre-gauge network of Bangladesh Railway. Within passenger services, they are principally used on local and mail/express trains. The class represents the oldest surviving MLW DL535A locomotives in the Bangladesh Railway fleet, having been in continuous service since their introduction in 1969–70.[1]
Maintenance
Maintenance of the Class 2300 locomotives is carried out at the following facilities:[1]
- Central Locomotive Workshop (CLW), Parbatipur, Dinajpur District
- Diesel Shop, Dhaka
See also
- Bangladesh Railway Class 2400
- Bangladesh Railway Class 2500
- Bangladesh Railway Class 2800
- Locomotives of Bangladesh
- ALCO 251
- Montreal Locomotive Works
References
Category:Diesel locomotives of Bangladesh Category:Metre-gauge locomotives Category:Locomotives of Bangladesh
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