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.

Builders details

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

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 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. On 25 February, 2020, Central Locomotive Workshop repaired and fully restored this locomotive. Now this locomotive is running in service.
  • 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. As of December 2019, Locomotive 2923 has been repaired and has rejoined the locomotive fleet in service.

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