Locomotives and train sets of Sri Lanka Railways consist mostly of diesel locomotives and multiple units. Steam locomotives are no longer used, except on heritage trains, such as the Viceroy Special.

The first locomotives pulled trains on the original segment of the Main Line, on 54 kilometres (34 miles) connecting Colombo and Ambepussa.^[1] In 1953, Sri Lanka Railways enhanced its service to more power with diesel locomotives.^[2] Since then, various types of diesel locomotives were added to the service.

Sri Lanka's first railway locomotive was Leopold, in 1864. It was one of seven 4-4-0 locomotives built that year for the Ceylon Government Railway by Robert Stephenson & Company (nos. 1–5) and Beyer, Peacock & Company (nos. 6 and 7).^[3] Many more steam locomotives were added to the system, through to the 1950s. All the steam locomotives but three were manufactured in the United Kingdom; the exceptions were three 4-4-0s built at the railway's Maradana Works near Colombo in 1900 and 1905. In 1938, locomotives were reclassified, based on wheel arrangement and gauge. Sub-classification was based on weight, modifications, heating type, boiler capacity, or other features.^[4]

Throughout its history, Ceylon Government Railway had 410 steam locomotives.^[5]

The Railways upgraded its service to diesel locomotives, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala in the mid 1950s.^[2] In 1953, the first locomotives from British builder Brush Bagnall were imported. Since then, the Railways have imported locomotives from Canada, Japan, West Germany, India, France, and China^[6][7][8]

In the 1990s, Sri Lanka Railways converted the narrow gauge (2 ft 6 in (762 mm)) Kelani Valley line into 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge. This was the last narrow gauge line left in Sri Lanka, and its conversion to broad gauge put the fleet of narrow gauge locomotives out of use. All operational locomotives in the country today are broad gauge.

As of March 2022, Sri Lanka does not have commercially operational electric locomotives or train sets. Electrification has been proposed, to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.^[9]

Sri Lanka's locomotives have appeared in several different liveries over the years.

The steam locomotives were mainly black.

With the introduction of diesel locomotives, coloured liveries appeared. Typical for many locomotives is a livery that has thick horizontal bands of dark blue, light blue, silver and a yellow stripe. Also common for many locomotives is a livery of horizontal bands of green, brown, and a yellow stripe.

The DMUs are painted in various liveries, unique to their classes. Typically, they feature horizontal bands of colour running their entire length and a solid colour on the front and back ends.

M6 ICE locomotives have a unique ICE livery of brown and orange.

Steam locomotives were numbered from 1 upwards, reaching 161 in 1911. Whereafter replacement locomotives were given the same number as the locomotive that they replaced with an "R" prefix; until such time as the old locomotive, now running with an "O" prefix, was finally withdrawn.^[10] This system was abandoned in 1928,^[10] with new locomotives being numbered from 249 upwards,^[11] and reaching 336 by 1940, and 362 in 1951 when the last steam locomotive — a 4-8-0 from WG Bagnall — was delivered.^[12]

Narrow gauge locomotives were numbered in the same list as broad-gauge locomotives. Diesel locomotives and multiple unit numbering started from 500 – an Armstrong Whitworth 122 hp 0-4-0 diesel-electric shunter delivered in 1934^[12] – and reached 840 in 1991.^[13] and included one locomotive experimentally converted to electric traction.^[4][14]

Steam locomotives were used on regular services until the 1970s.^[2][4]

• Sources: Infolanka,^[15] Railway Museum^[5]

Class	Photo	Numbers	Type	Quantity	Manufacturer	Year	Notes
—		1–15, 24–25, 28–29, 39–40, 43–47	4-4-0	26	Robert Stephenson & Company (5) Beyer, Peacock & Company (7) Kitson & Company (14)	1864–1880	5-foot driving wheels
		20–23, 26–27	4-4-0	6	Beyer, Peacock & Company (4) Kitson & Company (2)	1868–1872	6-foot driving wheels; 16″×22″ cylinders
		63–71, 89–92	4-4-0	13	Dübs & Company	1892–1895	6-foot driving wheels; 17″×24″ cylinders
		16–19, 41–42	0-6-0	6	John Fowler & Co	1868–1878
		30–31	0-4-0ST	2	Robert Stephenson & Company	1868	Ex Breakwater branch; absorbed in 1874; a third loco was not taken into stock
		32–38, 48	4-4-0T	8	Robert Stephenson & Company (3) Kitson & Company (5)	1876–1880
		30–31, 1 (second)	4-4-0	3	CGR Maradana Works	1900–1905	5-foot driving wheels; 16″×24″ cylinders
		163	0-6-0CT	1	RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company	1913	Crane tank
A1		18–19, 41–42	4-8-0	4	Kitson & Company	1913–1921
A2		155–156	4-8-0	2	Kitson & Company	1911	Renumbered 16–17
A3		275–278, 296–297, 334–336, 357–362	4-8-0	15	Hunslet Engine Company (6) WG Bagnall (9)	1928–1951
B1		4, 30, 242–262, 279–290 294–295 347–342 351–356	4-6-0	49	Beyer, Peacock & Company (25) Armstrong Whitworth (12) Robert Stephenson & Company (12)	1927–47	“Governor” class – many named; no. 30 Sir Thomas Maitland, runs the Viceroy Special service.[4][16]
B2		1, 3, 25–29, 39–40, 43–47 193–196, 204–213, 222–228	4-6-0	35	Kitson & Company (3) Robert Stephenson & Company (11) Vulcan Foundry (21)	1925–1925	No. 213 preserved and operational
B3		8–11, 22, 169–171, 185–192	4-6-0	16	Kitson & Company	1913–1914
B4		72–75, 147–147, 158–159	4-6-0	9	Neilson & Company (4) Kitson & Company (5)	1893–1912
B5		76–80	4-6-0	5	Neilson & Company (3) Vulcan Foundry (2)	1894
B6		49–62	4-6-0	14	Kitson & Company (10) Vulcan Foundry (4)	1882–1890
B7		81–88	4-6-0	8	RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company	1894
B8		214–219, 232–240	4-6-0	18	Hunslet Engine Company (13) RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company (2) Nasmyth, Wilson & Company (3)	1922–27
B9		140–141	4-6-0	2	Hunslet Engine Company	1908	Renumbered 134–135
B10		109–119	4-6-0	11	Dübs & Company	1901
C1		241, 343–350	2-6-2+2-6-2	9	Beyer, Peacock & Company	1927, 1945	1945 locos later converted to oil firing
D1		270–274	2-6-4T	5	Robert Stephenson & Company	1928	“College” class – most named; All scrapped
D2							All scrapped
D3		12–15, 20–21, 131–139, 150–151, 164–168	2-6-4T	22	Robert Stephenson & Company (20) RW Hawthorn, Leslie & Company (2)	1907–1914	131–139 renumbered 32–37, 131–133; 150–151 renumbered 38, 40; 12 rebuilt as class D1 and numbered 298 in 1930; D3 class saturated, reclassified D2 when superheated; All scrapped
E1		23–24, 93–94, 101 162, 179–183, 197–200	0-6-0T	15	Dübs & Company (3) North British Locomotive Company (5) Hunslet Engine Company (7)	1898–1915	Most rebuilt as 0-6-2T; No. 93 built in 1898 is the oldest surviving steam locomotive in the country – now at National railway museum, Kadugannawa
F1		265–269	0-6-2T	5	Robert Stephenson & Company	1928	All scrapped
F2		2, 5–7, 144–157, 172–173	4-4-0	20	Vulcan Foundry (5) North British Locomotive Company (15)	1911–1913	144–151 delivered as 152–154, 157–161; F2 saturated, reclassified F2 when superheated; All scrapped
F3		95–100, 124–129	4-4-0	12	Dübs & Company (6) Kitson & Company (2) North British Locomotive Company (4)	1900–1903	All scrapped
H1		293	2-4-0+0-4-2	1	Beyer, Peacock & Company	1930	Narrow gauge
J1		220–221, 263–264, 291–292	4-6-4T	6	Hunslet Engine Company	1924–1929	Narrow gauge
J2		142–146, 160–161, 174–178, 184, 201–202	4-6-4T	15	Hunslet Engine Company (11) North British Locomotive Company (4)	1908–1919	Narrow gauge; 142–146 renumbered 136–140
K1		102–108	4-4-0T	7	Hunslet Engine Company	1900–1901	Narrow gauge; Kelani Valley Tanks; Two were used for the film "Bridge on the River Kwai"[17][18]
L1		120–123, 130, 203	0-4-2T	6	Sharp, Stewart & Company (4) Hunslet Engine Company (2)	1902–1904, 1920	Narrow gauge; Uda Pussellawe tanks
R1		301–313	Steam railcar	13	Sentinel	1925–1927	Some were later fitted with small under-floor diesel units and were reclassified as T2
R2		317–320	Steam railcar	4	Sentinel	1928
R3		321–327	Steam railcar	7	Sentinel	1928
R4		314–316	Steam railcar	3	Clayton	1928
V1		328–330	Steam railcar	3	Sentinel	1927	Narrow gauge
V2		331–333	Steam railcar	3	Sentinel	1928	Narrow gauge

Diesel locomotives of Sri Lanka Railway are categorized into several classes and their sub classes.

Class	Photo	Numbers	Type	Quantity	Manufacturer	Year	Model	Power	Livery	Notes
M1		539–563	A1A-A1A de	25	Brush Bagnall Traction	1952	—	1000 hp		Currently not in service
M2		569–573 591–595 626–629	A1A-A1A de (12) Bo-Bo (2)	14	General Motors Diesel (12) Electro-Motive Division (2)	1954–1966	G12	1400 hp		Except one (571 Saskatchewan) all others are still in active service
M3		589–590	Bo-Bo de	2	Sri Lankan Railways	1956–1958		360 hp		Engines (180 hp × 2) taken from S1 class
M4		743–756	Co-Co de	14	Montreal Locomotive Works	1975	MX-620	1750 hp
M5		767–782	Bo-Bo de	16	Hitachi	1979		1150 hp		M5A: Re-engined locally using MTU V12 in 1991; M5B: Re-engined locally using Paxman V12 in 1997; M5C: Re-engined locally using Caterpillar 3516 DITA.
M6		783–798	A1A-A1A de	16	Thyssen-Henschel	1979–1980	G22	1650 hp
M7		799–814	Bo-Bo de	16	Brush Traction	1981		1000 hp
M8		M8 (841-848), M8A (877,878)	Co-Co de	M8 (8), M8A (2)	Banaras Locomotive Works	M8 (1995), M8A (2001)	WDM-2	M8 (2600 hp), M8A (1950 hp)		Sub Class M8A: Only 2 locomotives were introduced
M9		864–873	Co-Co de	10	Alstom	2000	AD32C	1800 hp		Several units out of service shortly after introduction due to cost of spares and repair.
M10		M10 (914-916), M10A (940-945)	Co-Co de	M10 (3), M10A (6)	Banaras Locomotive Works	2012	WDM3D (With Alco 251 series 12 diesel engine)	2300 hp		Sub class M10A was introduced in 2013 which is a technical variant.[20]
M11		M11 (949-958),	Co-Co	M11 (10)	Banaras Locomotive Works	2018	WDG4D (With EMD 12-710 diesel engine)	3200 hp

Class	Photo	Numbers	Type	Quantity	Manufacturer	Year	Power	Livery	Notes
W1		630–674	B-B dh	45	Rheinstahl Henschel	1968–1969	1150 hp		10 rebuilt with Caterpillar engines and reclassified W3. Only 2 locomotives are in operation.
W2		703–716, 729	B-B dh	15	LEW	1968–Present	1500 hp		729 ex demonstrator, ran as DR V150.001; imported 1970. Several re-furbished and in operation.
W3		631…674	B-B dh	10	Sri Lankan Railways	1997–Present	1150 hp		10 rebuilt from class W1 with Caterpillar engines. Mainly used in up country line.

Class	Photo	Numbers	Type	Quantity	Manufacturer	Year	Power	Livery	Notes
G1		500	0–4–0 de	1	Armstrong Whitworth	1934 - 2006	122 hp		Sulzer engine. Not in use.
G2		531–538	Bo-Bo de	8	North British Locomotive Company	1950- 2000	625 hp		Paxman V8 engine. Not in use.
Y		675–702	0-6-0 dh	28	Hunslet Engine Company	1968- 1973	530 hp		Still in operation.
Y1		721–728	D dh	8	Sri Lanka Railways	1972–1973			Paxman V12 engine. Not in operation.

Class	Photo	Numbers	Type	Quantity	Manufacturer	Year	Power	Livery	Notes
N1		564–568	1C1 dh	5	Krupp	1952–53	500 hp		Not in use.
N2		730–732	B-B dh	3	Kawasaki	1973	600 hp		GM Detroit Diesel V16 engine. Ordered by Sri Lanka Veneers & Plywood. Not in use.
P1		527–530	0-6-0 dm	4	Hunslet Engine Company	1950	120 hp		Not in use.

Note: One class N2 locomotive was re-classified as Class E1 after fitting with Alstom pantographs, to be run under electric power. Not to be confused with the steam locomotive E1, this electric locomotive is not in commercial use. One class P1 locomotive was at Viharamahadevi (Victoria) Amusement Park^[14]

S1–S8 Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Units, S9–S14, S14A Diesel Electric & Electro-Diesel Multiple Units

Class	Photo	Numbers	Type	Quantity	Manufacturer	Year	Power	Livery	Notes
S1		501–503	4-car	3	English Electric	1938	400 hp		Named Silver Foam, Silver Spray, and Silver Mist. Not in operation, and power cars scrapped.
S2		574–588		15	Schindler Carriage and Wagon	1958	500 hp		Not in operation and the power cars were scrapped.
S3		596–620		25	MAN	1959	880 hp		Not in operation.
S4		621–624		5	MAN	1961	1000 hp		Out of service.
S5		717–720	5-car	2 sets	Hitachi	1970	880 hp		Hitachi Tourist excursion train. Now one is in Airport Express service, operated by Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited.
S6		733–742		10	Hitachi	1974	1150 hp		Very similar in appearance to S7. Operated mainly on the broad gauged Kelani Valley line. Currently used as presidential train.
S7		757–766		10	Hitachi	1977	1000 hp		Very similar in appearance to S6. Operated mainly on the broad gauged Kelani Valley line. Not in regular operations.
S8		821–840		20	Hyundai	1991	1150 hp		Currently in operation.
S9		849–863		20	CSR	2000	1150 hp		Currently in operation.
S10		879-893		15	CSR	2008			Currently in operation.
S11		894–913		20	ICF	2011–2012	1360 hp		[23] Designed with multi class accommodation.
S12		917–939		22	CSR	2012	2000 hp		Power cars are single-ended locomotives without passenger interiors. Imported in two variants, one for run on commuter services and other run on long distance services.
S13		959–970		6 (double sets)	ICF	2017-2019	1800 hp		Power car is a single-ended locomotive without passenger interiors.
S14		971–988		9 sets (2 power cars per set)	CRRC Qingdao Sifang	2019-2020	1950 hp		Power cars are single-ended locomotives without passenger interiors.
S14A		989–992		4(power cars)	CRRC Qingdao Sifang	2019-2020	1950 hp
S13A		993–996		2 (double sets)	ICF	2019-2021	1800 hp		Power car is a single-ended locomotive without passenger interiors. All trailer coaches are Air-conditioned Chiar cars.

The various Railbus units that are currently operated are not listed below.

Class	Photo	Numbers	Type	Quantity	Manufacturer	Year	Model	Power	Notes
T1		504–526		23	English Electric	1947		200 hp	Coupled in Twin Units. Not in use.
T2						(1950)			Converted steam rail car in 1950. Not in use
Locally built rail buses		RB1 to ..	Rail Bus		SLR Rathmalana Works	(1995)	Based on Tata 1210/48 & Ashok Leyland Viking 193 Bus Chassis	TATA :- NA 692 DI 97 hp Ashok Leyland :- 0.400 - 110 hp WO6E1- 119hp HAL6ETI - 113 hp	A total of 14 Rail Buses were built between 1995 and 2002 with numbers RB1 to RB14.

• Sri Lanka Railways – Official website