Main Line (Sri Lanka)

Last updated

Main Line
Udarate Menike train on the Colombo-Badulla route.JPG
An express train, the Udarata Menike (M6 locomotives), runs through the scenic Sri Lankan hill country
Overview
Other name(s)Hill Country Line,Up Country Line
StatusActive
Owner Sri Lanka Railways
Termini
Stations105
Service
System Sri Lanka Railways
Services Udarata Menike Express Train
Podi Menike Express Train
Tikiri Menike Express Train
Senkadagala Menike Express Train
Colombo–Kandy Intercity Train
Rajadhani Express Train
Colombo–Badulla Night Mail Train
Upcountry Commuter Trains
Operator(s) Sri Lanka Railways
History
Opened1864
Technical
Line length290 km (180 mi)
Track gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Electrification No
Highest elevation1,898.1 m (6,227 ft)
Route map

Contents

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Badulla
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Tunnel No. 43
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Hali Ela
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Uduwara
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Demodara Loop
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Demodara & Tunnel No. 42
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Tunnel No. 41
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Nine Arch Bridge
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Tunnel No. 40
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Ella
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Kithal Ella
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Heel Oya
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Kinigama
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Tunnel No. 39
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Bandarawela
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Tunnel No. 38
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Diyatalawa
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Tunnel No. 37
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Haputale
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Glenonare
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Tangamale Sanctuary
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Tunnel No. 36
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Idalgashinna
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Tunnel No. 22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34 & 35
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Ohiya
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Tunnel No. 18 (Pattipola Tunnel),19,20 & 21
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Summit 1898.1m above MSL
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Pattipola
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Ambewela
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Horton Plains National Park
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Parakramapura
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Closed Uda Pussellawa Railway Line
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Nanu Oya
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Tunnel No. 17
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Radella
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Great Western
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Watagoda
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Upper Kotmale Reservoir
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Tunnel No. 16
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Thalawakele
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Tunnel No. 15
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St.Clair
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Kotagala
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Galkandawatta
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Tunnel No. 14 (Singha Malai Tunnel)
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Hatton
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Rozella
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Ihala Watawala
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Watawala
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Wewalthalawa
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Dekinda
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Galboda
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Tunnel No. 12 & 13
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Penrose
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Inguruoya
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Hightenford
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Selam
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BSicon hKRZWae.svg
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Mahaweli Ganga
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Nawalapitiya
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Warakawa
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Pallegama
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Ulapane
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Warakapitiya
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Thembiligala
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Wallahagoda
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Gampola
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Kahatapitiya
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Gangathilaka
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Botalepitiya
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Weligalla
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Polgaha Anga
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Gelioya
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Koshinna
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A sub river of Mahaweli Ganga
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Matale Line
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Peradeniya Junction
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KiribathKumbura
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Barammane
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Pilimatalawa
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Urapola
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Kotabagolla
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Kadugannawa
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Tunnel No. 10 (Moragalla Tunnel) & 11
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Weralugolla
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Tunnel No. 9
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Balana
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Tunnel No. 6, 7 & 8
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Makehelwala
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Bambaragala
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Ihala Kotte
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Tunnel No. 5A (Meeyangalla Tunnel)
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Gangoda
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Tunnel No. 5
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Yatiwaldeinya
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Kadigamuwa
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Tunnel No. 2, 3 & 4
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Rambukkana
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Rambukkan Oya
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Yatagama
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Korossa
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Tismalpola
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Panaliya
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Northern Line
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Polgahawela Junction
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Walakumbura
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Alawwa
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Bujjomuwa
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Yattalgoda
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Maha Oya
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Ambepussa
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Botale
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Tunnel No. 1
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Wilwatta
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Mirigama
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Wijaya Rajadahana
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 E04  Central Expressway
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Ganegoda
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Pallewela
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Keenawala
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Wadurawa
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Veyangoda
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Heendeniya Pattiyagoda
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Magalegoda
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 E04  Central Expressway
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Bemmulla
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Daraluwa
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Gampaha
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Attanagalu Oya
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Yagoda
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 E04  Central Expressway
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Ganemulla
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Bulugahagoda
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Batuwaththa
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Walpola
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Puttalam Line
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Ragama Junction
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Horape
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 E02  Outer Circular Expressway
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Ederamulla
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Hunupitiya
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Wanawasala
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Kelaniya
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Kelani River
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Dematagoda
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Kelani Valley Line
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Maradana
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Colombo Fort
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Coast Line

The Main Line is a major railway line in the rail network of Sri Lanka and considered by many to be one of the most scenic train journeys in all of Asia. [1] The line begins at Colombo Fort and winds through the Sri Lankan hill country to reach Badulla.

Route definition

Badulla Railway station Badulla sta.,Sri Lanka Railways,Uva Province,Sri Lanka.JPG
Badulla Railway station

The Main Line starts from Colombo and runs east and north past the rapidly developing centres of Ragama, Gampaha, Veyangoda, and Polgahawela.

At Rambukkana, the Main Line begins its steep climb into the hills of the upcountry. Between Balana and Kadugannawa, the track clings to the side of sheer cliffs, offering passengers views of Batalegala ('Bible' Rock).

From Peradeniya Junction, a branch line reaches Kandy and Matale.

The Main Line then continues its climb through tea country, connecting local market centres at Gampola, Nawalapitiya, and Hatton before reaching Nanu Oya. This is the connection to the former colonial resort of Nuwara Eliya, known for its temperate climate, classic hotels, and British-style gardens.

The Main Line continues its ascent to the summit at Pattipola, 1,898 m (6,227 ft) above sea level, before descending past Bandarawela to Badulla. In the upcountry, passengers can view the tea gardens, mountains and valleys, cascading torrents and waterfalls. [2]

History

Early steam powered train on the Main line Loolecondera railway.jpg
Early steam powered train on the Main line

The first segment of the Main line was opened in 1864, with the construction of the line from Colombo to Ambepussa, 54 km (34 mi) to the east. This was the first rail line in the country. The first train ran on 27 December 1864. The line was officially opened for traffic on 2 October 1865. The main reason for building a railway system in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) was to transport tea and coffee from the hill country to Colombo.

The Main Line was extended in stages with service to Kandy beginning in 1867, to Nawalapitiya in 1874, to Nanu Oya in 1885, to Bandarawela in 1894, and to Badulla in 1924. [2]

Till 1953, the Main line operated with steam locomotives. In the 1950s, service was enhanced with diesel locomotives, under the leadership of B. D. Rampala. [3] Various types of diesel locomotives were added to the service.

In 2011, ExpoRail and Rajadhani Express began operating a premium section on trains on the Main Line. These services were launched to improve rail transport's appeal to the public. [4] [5]

Sri Lanka Railways also began importing new diesel-multiple units to replace the aging rolling stock previously used on the line. The new S12 trainsets built by China's CSR Corporation Limited in 2012 are designed to work on the steep gradients of the hill country. [6] The new S14 trainsets built by China's CRRC Qingdao Sifang in 2019-2020 are currently in use.

The commuter rail portion of the line, within the Colombo metropolitan area, is planned to be electrified, though no ground work has started. [7]

Operators and service providers

Sri Lanka Railways operates most passenger services on the Main Line. Sri Lanka Railways' most notable services on the line includes the Udarata Menike (S14), Podi Menike (S14), Tikiri Menike (S12), Senkadagala Menike (S12) and Colombo–Kandy Intercity (S12 and M5).

ExpoRail and Rajadhani Express operate premium services on the Main Line. They run premium carriages attached to Sri Lanka Railways-operated trains. [4] [8] [9]

Infrastructure

Railway track near Haputale Sri Lanka, Haputale, Mountain railway track.jpg
Railway track near Haputale
Older railway infrastructure on the Main line, including a gantry of semaphore signals at Kandy Station Gantry of Sri Lanka semaphore signals,main line,Sri Lanka.JPG
Older railway infrastructure on the Main line, including a gantry of semaphore signals at Kandy Station

The Main Line has a gauge of 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge. [3]

The Main Line is not electrified. Regular services run on diesel power. However, there are plans to electrify the commuter rail network, within Colombo. This includes the Main-line segment between Colombo Fort and Veyangoda. [7]

Most of the line currently operates on a lock-and-block signaling system. The commuter rail section was upgraded to electric signalling in the mid-twentieth century. The system is connected to a centralised traffic control panel at Maradana Railway Station. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Sri Lanka</span>

Transport in Sri Lanka is based on its road network, which is centred on the country's commercial capital Colombo. A rail network handles a portion of Sri Lanka's transport needs. There are navigable waterways, harbours and three international airports: in Katunayake, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Colombo, in Hambantota, and in Jaffna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Badulla</span> City in Sri Lanka

Badulla is the capital and the largest city of Uva Province situated in the lower central hills of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of Uva Province and the Badulla District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka Railways</span> Sri Lankan government-owned railway

The Sri Lanka Railway Department is Sri Lanka's railway owner and primary operator. As part of the Sri Lankan government, it is overseen by the Ministry of Transport. Founded in 1858 as the Ceylon Government Railway, it operates the nation's railways and links Colombo with other population centres and tourist destinations.

Udarata Menike is a daytime passenger train that runs between Colombo and Badulla in Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelani Valley line</span> Railway line in Sri Lanka

The Kelani Valley railway line in Sri Lanka, covering the breadth of Colombo District. The line is owned, maintained, and operated by Sri Lanka Railways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajadhani Express</span> Train in Sri Lanka

Blue Line Express was a train service provider in Sri Lanka, a part of Blue Line Company. Blue Line Express provided premium services on several routes in Sri Lanka, in partnership with Sri Lanka Railways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Locomotives of Sri Lanka Railways</span>

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.

"Podi Manike" is a Sri Lankan passenger train running from Colombo Fort to Badulla. This journey covers about 300 km and is renowned for being the most beautiful train journey in Sri Lanka, especially the stretch from Nanuoya to Ella. It takes about 10 hours to complete the journey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka Railways M6</span>

Sri Lanka Railways M6 is a class of 16 Diesel-electric locomotives imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Manufactured by Thyssen-Henschel in Kassel, West Germany, under licence from Electro-Motive Division of the United States. As an EMD G22M, it has a V12 EMD 645 engine rated at 1,650 hp (1,230 kW). Most are still in service. Very successful in upcountry line, since it has Flexicoil truck (bogies) and dynamic brakes. Loco numbers 793 and 798 engines were destroyed by LTTE terrorists. M6 790 was involved in the Watawala landslip incident.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ExpoRail</span>

ExpoRail was a train service provider in Sri Lanka. ExpoRail used to provide premium services on several routes in Sri Lanka, in partnership with Sri Lanka Railways. Although it did not operate its own trains for scheduled services, it operated carriages that were attached to trains operated by Sri Lanka Railways. ExpoRail also offered charter services, where entire trains were composed of its own carriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal line (Sri Lanka)</span> Railway line in Sri Lanka

The coastal line is a major railway line in Sri Lanka, running between Colombo Fort and Beliatta, via Galle and Matara. Operated by Sri Lanka Railways, the line includes some of the busiest rail services in the country. The line has been extended to Beliatta on 8 April 2019 and is proposed to be extended to Kataragama, via Hambantota. With a designed maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) between Kalutara and Matara, and a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) between Matara and Beliatta, the line is one of the fastest in Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Lanka Railways S12</span>

Class S12 is a diesel multiple-unit (DMU), built for Sri Lanka Railways by China's CSR Corporation. The first batch arrived in Sri Lanka in August 2012. They were built to replace locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Seven of the S12 DMUs were ordered to strengthen long-distance travel on the Main line from Colombo to Badulla. Four of S12s will serve the Kelani Valley Line. The remaining two designed as luxury trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hatton railway station (Sri Lanka)</span>

Hatton Station is a railway station on the Main (Colombo-Badulla) railway line in Sri Lanka. It is situated between Rozella and Kotagala railway stations. It is 173.06 kilometres (107.53 mi) along the railway line from the Colombo Fort Railway Station at an elevation of about 1,262.5 m (4,142 ft) above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanu Oya railway station</span> Railway station in Nanu Oya, Sri Lanka

The Nanu Oya railway station is the 63rd station on the Main Line, and is 206.9 km (128.6 mi) away from Colombo. All trains including Podi Menike and Udarata Menike express trains service the station. The station was a junction and branching point for the Udupussallawa narrow gauge railway line connecting Nanu Oya with Ragala via Nuwara Eliya.

Colombo - Badulla Night Mail Train is a night time passenger and mail train that runs between Colombo and Badulla in Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polgahawela railway station</span>

Polgahawela Junction railway station is a major junction station, situated in the Kurunegala District, North Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is the 34th railway station on the Main line and is 73.83 kilometres (45.88 mi) away from the Colombo Fort Railway Station, at an elevation of 74.39 metres (244.1 ft) above sea level. The station is located at the centre of Polgahawela and is a main junction point joining two railway lines; one coming from the upcountry of Sri Lanka and another from the northern part of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idalgashinna railway station</span> Railway station in Sri Lanka

Idalgashinna Railway Station, Tamil: இடல்கஷின்னா ரயில் நிலையம்) is the 68th station on the Main Line,and fifth highest railway station in Sri Lanka located between Haputale and Ohiya railway stations in Badulla District, Uva Province. It is located 8 km (5.0 mi) west of Haputale, at an elevation of 1,615 metres (5,299 ft) above sea level. The station was built after the track was extended in 1893, from the Nanu Oya railway station to Haputale. This is the 68th railway station on the Colombo-Badulla railway line. The railway station is located on a hilltop separating the southern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. Because of this the environment is constantly foggy and instantly clear. Depending on the location, rainwater from the Idalgashinna railway station collects in front of the roof to the Mahaweli river valley and water falling from the back of the roof to the Walawe river valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veyangoda railway station</span> Railway station in Sri Lanka

Veyangoda railway station is a railway station in the Western Province, Sri Lanka. The station is served by Sri Lanka Railways, which is the state-run railway operator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Western railway station</span> Railway station in Sri Lanka

Great Western railway station is the 61st railway station on the Main Line, and is 199.3 km (123.8 mi) away from Colombo.

References

  1. "(Video) The train to Ella, Sri Lanka — the most beautiful train journey in Asia?". Island Life. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Sunday Observer". Cameos of the past: First train on line to Badulla from Colombo. 19 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 19 July 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Luxury Rail". Lanka Business Today. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  5. "Sri Lankan railway introduces luxury class Services on Colombo -Kandy rails". News.lk. 7 November 2011. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  6. "Dailynews". Railway gets new power sets from China. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Future Plans". Sri Lanka Railways. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  8. "NEWS.LK: The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka". Sri Lankan railway introduces luxury class Services on Colombo-Kandy rails. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012.
  9. "Daily Mirror". Expo Rail: Wonder on the track. 3 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.