Main Line
An express train, the Udarata Menike (M6 locomotives), runs through the scenic Sri Lankan hill country
An express train, the Udarata Menike (M6 locomotives), runs through the scenic Sri Lankan hill country
Overview
Other name(s)Hill Country Line
StatusActive
OwnerSri Lanka Railways
Termini
Stations105
Service
SystemSri Lanka Railways
ServicesUdarata 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 gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
ElectrificationNo
Route map

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

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
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
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.
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