Main Line (Sri Lanka)

Main Line
Main Line
	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
Status	Active
Owner	Sri Lanka Railways
Termini	Colombo Fort; Badulla;
Stations	105
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
Opened	1864
Technical
Line length	290 km (180 mi)
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Electrification	No
Route map

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

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

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

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

^ "(Video) The train to Ella, Sri Lanka — the most beautiful train journey in Asia?". Island Life. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
^ ^a ^b "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.
^ ^a ^b ^c "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 19 July 2010.
^ ^a ^b "Luxury Rail". Lanka Business Today. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
^ "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.
^ "Dailynews". Railway gets new power sets from China. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Future Plans". Sri Lanka Railways. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
^ "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.
^ "Daily Mirror". Expo Rail: Wonder on the track. 3 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.

[1] "(Video) The train to Ella, Sri Lanka — the most beautiful train journey in Asia?". Island Life. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.

[Cameos-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.

[Rampala-3] "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 19 July 2010.

[Luxury_Rail-4] "Luxury Rail". Lanka Business Today. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.

[railway_introduces-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.

[CSR-6] "Dailynews". Railway gets new power sets from China. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012.

[Future_Plans-7] "Future Plans". Sri Lanka Railways. Retrieved 12 February 2012.

[Kandy_rails-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.

[Wonder-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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v t e Rail transport in Sri Lanka
Operators/service providers	Sri Lanka Railways ExpoRail Rajadhani Express Viceroy Special
By Province	Central Province Eastern Province North Central Province Northern Province North Western Province Sabaragamuwa Southern Province Uva Western Province
Lines	Batticaloa line Coastal line Kelani Valley line Main Line Mannar line Matale line Mihintale line Northern line Puttalam line Trincomalee line Uda Pussellawa railway (closed)
Stations	List of railway stations Railway stations by province List of railway stations by line
Trains	Locomotives Named passenger trains Boat mail
History	Trams in Colombo Railway accidents Bandarawela Hotel National Railway Museum 2019 Sri Lanka Railway strike