Udarata Menike

Udarata Menike උඩරට මැණිකේ

The Udarata Menike emerges from a tunnel on the scenic hill-country line
Overview
Service type Inter-city rail
Status In service
Locale Sri Lanka
First service 23 April 1956[1]
Last service present
Current operator(s) Sri Lanka Railways
Former operator(s) Ceylon Government Railway
Route
Start Colombo Fort
End Badulla
Distance travelled 290 km (180 mi.)
Average journey time 8 - 10 hours
Service frequency Daily
Train number(s) 1015 (Colombo Fort-Badulla)
1016 (Badulla-Colombo Fort)[2]
On-board services
Sleeping arrangements Not available
Observation facilities N\A
Technical
Track gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Route map

Main Line

Legend
Badulla
Hali Ela
Uduwara
Demodara loop
Demodara
Ella
Kithal Ella
Heel Oya
Kinigama
Bandarawela
Diyatalawa
Haputale
Tangamale Sanctuary
Idalgashinna
Ohiya
Summit 1898.1m above MSL
Pattipola
Ambewela
Horton Plains National Park
Parakramapura
Closed Udapussellawa Line
Nanu Oya
Radella
Great Western
Watagoda
Upper Kotmale Reservoir
Thalawakele
Kotagala
Hatton
Rozella
Ihala Watawala
Watawala
Dekinda
Galboda
Penrose
Inguruoya
Hightenford
Mahaweli Ganga
Nawalapitiya
Warakawa
Pallegama
Ulapane
Warakapitiya
Thembiligala
Wallahagoda
Gampola
Kahatapitiya
Gangathilaka
Weligalla
Polgaha Anga
Gelioya
Koshinna
Matale Line
Peradeniya Junction
Barammane
Pilimatalawa
Kadugannawa
Weralugolla
Balana
Makehelwala
Ihala Kotte
Gangoda
Yatiwaldeinya
Kadigamuwa
Rambukkana
Kuda Oya
Yatagama
Tismalpola
Panaliya
Northern Line
Polgahawela Junction
Walakumbura
Alawwa
Bujjomuwa
Yattalgoda
Maha Oya
Ambepussa
Botale
Wilwatta
Mirigama
Wijaya Rajadahana
Ganegoda
Pallewela
Keenawala
Wadurawa
Veyangoda
Heendeniya Pattiyagoda
Magalegoda
Bemmulla
Daraluwa
Gampaha
Yagoda
Ganemulla
Bulugahagoda
Batuwaththa
Walpola
Puttalam Line
Ragama Junction
Horape
Ederamulla
Hunupitiya
Wanawasala
Kelaniya
Kelani River
Dematagoda
Kelani Valley Line
Maradana
St Sebastian Canal
Colombo Fort
Coast Line

Udarata Menike (Sinhalese: උඩරට මැණිකේ, Hill Country Maiden) is a daytime passenger train that runs between Colombo and Badulla in Sri Lanka.

The Udarata Menike made its maiden journey on 23 April 1956. The Badulla-bound train departs from Colombo at 9.30 a.m.,[3] while the Colombo-bound train leaves Badulla at 5.55 a.m. The trip takes about 10 hours.[4]

Services

The train offers three classes,

The train also includes a buffet car.[3]

The observation saloon has been removed since the introduction of Class S12 DMUs.

Route

The Udarata Menike travels the length of Sri Lanka Railways' Main Line through the hill country.

The Udarata Menike begins its eastbound service at Colombo Fort Station and runs east and north past the rapidly developing centers 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 spectacular views of Batalegala ('Bible' Rock). The train then continues its climb through the scenic tea country, connecting busy local market centers at Gampola, Nawalapitiya, and Hatton before reaching Nanu-Oya. This is the connection to the former colonial resort of Nuwara Eliya, still popular for its temperate climate, classic hotels, and British-style gardens. The Udarata Menika continues its ascent to the summit at Pattipola, 6,226 feet above sea level, before descending past Bandarawela to Badulla Terminus. In the upcountry, passengers are rewarded with views of tea gardens, mountains and valleys, cascading torrents and waterfalls.

Rolling Stock

The service was run by M6 locomotives pulling Romanian-built ASTRA passenger coaches. [5]

In Operation

This service is now carried out by Class S12 DMUs.


See also

Sri Lanka Railways

List of named passenger trains of Sri Lanka

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, September 16, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.