Bangladesh Railway Class 2500
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Bangladesh Railway Class 2500 is a class of metre-gauge diesel-electric locomotives operated by Bangladesh Railway. Built by Hitachi of Japan in 1982, a total of 18 units were produced. Classified as MEH-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][2]
Specifications
The Class 2500 locomotives are rated at 1,400 hp (1,000 kW) and use the Hitachi model designation HFA13A. 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.[3]
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).[3]
The design and specifications are broadly similar to those of the Bangladesh Railway Class 2300, Bangladesh Railway Class 2400 and Bangladesh Railway Class 2800 locomotive classes.[1]
History
The Class 2500 locomotives were introduced in 1982 as part of Bangladesh Railway's expansion of its metre-gauge diesel locomotive fleet. During this period, Bangladesh Railway relied extensively on diesel-electric locomotives based on ALCO-derived designs for both passenger and freight operations.[4]
Like other locomotive classes in Bangladesh, the Class 2500 forms part of an aging rolling stock fleet that has required ongoing maintenance and modernization efforts in recent decades.[4]
Classification and numbering
The class designation MEH-14 follows Bangladesh Railway's locomotive classification system, where:
- M indicates metre gauge
- E indicates diesel-electric transmission
- H indicates the manufacturer, Hitachi
- 14 denotes a power rating of 1,400 horsepower
The locomotives are numbered sequentially from 2501 to 2518.[1][2]
Service
Class 2500 locomotives are employed in both passenger and freight operations on the metre-gauge network of Bangladesh Railway. They are typically allocated to services requiring moderate power and are used on a variety of routes across the network. These locomotives operate within a railway system that has faced challenges related to aging diesel fleets and maintenance capacity.[4]
The primary depot for the class is Kamalapur in Dhaka, although locomotives may be transferred between depots depending on operational requirements.[1]
Maintenance
Maintenance of the Class 2500 locomotives is carried out at the following facilities:[1][2]
- Central Locomotive Workshop (CLW), Parbatipur, Dinajpur District
- Diesel Workshop, Pahartali, Chattogram
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Analysis of Problems (PDF) (Report). Bangladesh Railway. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
- 1 2 3 Bangladesh Railway Information Book 2023 (PDF) (Report). Chief Planning Officer, Bangladesh Railway. 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
- 1 2 "Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives – Specific classes: Metre Gauge & Narrow Gauge Diesel". Indian Railways Fan Club Association. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- 1 2 3 Railway Rolling Stock Operations Improvement Project (PDF) (Report). Asian Development Bank. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
External links
Media related to Bangladesh Railway Class 2500 at Wikimedia Commons