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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BSicon STR.svg
Demodara Loop
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BSicon TBHFo.svg
BSicon STRr.svg
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
BSicon HST.svg
Idalgashinna
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Tunnel No. 22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34 & 35
BSicon HST.svg
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
BSicon HST.svg
Parakramapura
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BSicon eABZg+r.svg
Closed Uda Pussellawa Railway Line
BSicon BHF.svg
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
BSicon HST.svg
Kotagala
BSicon HST.svg
Galkandawatta
BSicon TUNNEL1.svg
Tunnel No. 14 (Singha Malai Tunnel)
BSicon HST.svg
Hatton
BSicon HST.svg
Rozella
BSicon HST.svg
Ihala Watawala
BSicon HST.svg
Watawala
BSicon HST.svg
Wewalthalawa
BSicon HST.svg
Dekinda
BSicon HST.svg
Galboda
BSicon TUNNEL2.svg
Tunnel No. 12 & 13
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Penrose
BSicon HST.svg
Inguruoya
BSicon HST.svg
Hightenford
BSicon HST.svg
Selam
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BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
Mahaweli Ganga
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Nawalapitiya
BSicon HST.svg
Warakawa
BSicon HST.svg
Pallegama
BSicon HST.svg
Ulapane
BSicon HST.svg
Warakapitiya
BSicon HST.svg
Thembiligala
BSicon HST.svg
Wallahagoda
BSicon HST.svg
Gampola
BSicon HST.svg
Kahatapitiya
BSicon HST.svg
Gangathilaka
BSicon HST.svg
Botalepitiya
BSicon HST.svg
Weligalla
BSicon HST.svg
Polgaha Anga
BSicon HST.svg
Gelioya
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Koshinna
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A sub river of Mahaweli Ganga
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BSicon STR.svg
Matale Line
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BSicon BHFABZgr+r.svg
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
BSicon HST.svg
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
BSicon HST.svg
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
BSicon HST.svg
Bemmulla
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Daraluwa
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Gampaha
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Attanagalu Oya
BSicon HST.svg
Yagoda
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 E04  Central Expressway
BSicon HST.svg
Ganemulla
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Bulugahagoda
BSicon HST.svg
Batuwaththa
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Walpola
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BSicon ABZg+r.svg
Puttalam Line
BSicon BHF.svg
Ragama Junction
BSicon HST.svg
Horape
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 E02  Outer Circular Expressway
BSicon HST.svg
Ederamulla
BSicon HST.svg
Hunupitiya
BSicon HST.svg
Wanawasala
BSicon HST.svg
Kelaniya
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BSicon hKRZWae.svg
BSicon WASSERq.svg
Kelani River
BSicon HST.svg
Dematagoda
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BSicon ABZgr.svg
BSicon STR+l.svg
BSicon CONTfq.svg
Kelani Valley Line
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BSicon XBHF-M.svg
BSicon KXBHFe-R.svg
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 20192020 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]

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.