Bangladesh Railway Class 6500

Bangladesh Railway Class 6500 is a class of 1,676 mm gauge diesel-electric locomotives owned by Bangladesh Railway. There are 56 locomotives of this class, all manufactured by the Banaras Locomotive Works of India. All locomotives of this class are in service.

Details
In 2012, Bangladesh Railway ordered broad-gauge diesel-electric locomotives from India, modeled as WDM-3A. These 26 locomotives were imported in Bangladesh in 2012, 2013 and 2014. These locomotives have a power of 3100 hp. They are fitted with AAR coupling and have a gear ratio of 65:18. These locomotives are marked as BED-30, which stands for broad gauge diesel-electric manufactured by DLW, engine with 30 * 100 hp (30) and numbered as 6501 - 6526.

On 27 July 2020, 10 WDM-3D units were imported from India under a “grant assistance” plan and marked as BED-33 The class name stands for broad gauge diesel-electric manufactured by DLW, engine with 33 * 100 hp (33) and numbered as 6527 - 6536. In the year of 2023 more 20 WDM-3D locomotives (6537 - 6556) has arrived to Bangladesh as gift from Indian government. These locos have a 3300 hp power pack, with maximum available traction power of 2925 hp.

Liveries
Class 6500 locomotives have the deep blue-yellow and sky blue-yellow livery. BED-30s have the deep blue-yellow livery and BED-33s have sky blue-yellow livery.

Usage
Among all the class 6500 locomotives, BED-30 is basically used on both freight and passenger trains. Most high-end broad-gauge passenger trains like Padma Express, Drutajaan Express, Neelshagar Express, Rupsa Express, Shimanta Express, Ekota Express, Chitra EXpress Banalata Express and Maitree Express are hauled by these locomotives. They are also used on some mail-express and commuter trains. After arriving the 66** series locomotives, 65** WDM-3A locomotives are hardly used on Dhaka based broadgauge Intercity trais. On the other hand, BED-33 is usually only used on freight trains. Recently some Intercity trains are howling by 65** WDM-3D Locomotives like Rupsa Express, Simanata Express, Kopotaksha Express, Shagardari Express and Banglabandha Express