Podi Menike

Podi Manike පොඩි මැණිකේ
Overview
Service type Inter-city rail
Status Running
Locale Sri Lanka
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 05.55 AM From Colombo Fort
Service frequency Daily
Train number(s) 1005 (Colombo Fort-Badulla)
1006 (Badulla-Colombo Fort)[1]
On-board services
Class(es) Air Conditioned First Class
Second Class
Second Class Reserved
Economy Class
Observation facilities Yes
Technical
Track gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Track owner(s) Sri Lanka Railways
Timetable number(s) 1005 and 1006
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

"Podi Manike" (Sinhala:පොඩි මැණිකේ, meaning "The Little Maiden") is a Sri Lankan passenger train running from Colombo Fort to Badulla. Known as the most beautiful train journey in Sri Lanka, this journey covers about 300 km. It takes about 10 hours to complete the journey.

The train follows the hill-country line, a route developed by British in the 19th century through scenic mountains. The route features bridges, long tunnels, high slopes and gradients.

Services

The train offers three classes, of which the first class observation car is very popular with tourists. The train also includes a buffet car.[2]

Route

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

The Podi 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 Podi Menike 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

History

A Class M6 Diesel electric locomotive was used in this train. An Observation saloon was attached at the end. Romanian-built ASTRA passenger coaches are used.[3]

Present

The service upgraded in 2013, as new long-haul diesel multiple units from China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation imported to serve the upcountry route. Observation car is now replaced with an Air Conditioned First Class (AFC) carriage.

See also

References

  1. "Sri Lanka Railways Timetable". Slrfc.org. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  2. "A beginner's guide to Train travel in Sri Lanka . . .". Seat61.com. 2012-01-01. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  3. "The Railways of Sri Lanka (Ceylon)". Infolanka.com. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
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