Udarata Menike

*Udarata Menike* උඩරට මැණිකේ
உடரட்ட மெணிக்கே
Overview
Service type	Express train
Status	In service
Locale	Sri Lanka
First service	23 April 1956
Last service	present
Current operator(s)	Sri Lanka Railways
Former operator(s)	Ceylon Government Railway
Route
Termini	Colombo Fort railway station
Stops	Badulla railway station
Distance travelled	290 km (180 mi)
Average journey time	10–12 hours
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	1015 (Colombo Fort-Badulla); 1016 (Badulla-Colombo Fort)
On-board services
Sleeping arrangements	Not available
Observation facilities	N
Technical
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Route map
Route map

Udarata Menike (Sinhala: උඩරට මැණිකේ, lit. 'Up-Country Maiden') is a daytime passenger train operated by the Sri Lanka Railways that runs between Colombo and Badulla in the Highlands. Introduced in 1956, it is one of the first Named-passenger trains and one of the most popular trains among tourists and even among railfans in Sri Lanka.

The end-to-end travel time of the route is 10–12 hours as the train climbs through the steep mountainous terrain during most of its journey.

History

Named-Express Passenger trains were introduced in Ceylon in 1955 with the arrival of Class M1 and Class M2 locomotives from the United Kingdom and Canada respectively. The first train to be inaugurated was Ruhunu Kumari Express from Colombo to the Southern Sri Lankan cities of Galle and Matara. This train became very popular among Sri Lankans so the Government decided to introduce two other long-distance trains; Udarata Menike Express from Colombo to Badulla and Yarl Devi Express from Colombo to the Northern cities of Anuradhapura and Jaffna.

Both Udarata Menike and Yarl Devi made their maiden journeys on 23 April 1956. Udarata Menike was numbered No. 15 for the Upward journey to Badulla and No. 16 for the Downward journey to Colombo.

In the 1960s, The Badulla-bound train departed Colombo at 9.30 a.m.,^[3] while the Colombo-bound train left Badulla at 5.45 a.m. The Train was equipped with 9 Carriages with an Observation Saloon attached to the end.

Services

The train offers three classes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd, The latter sometimes gets crowded and carries only basic facilities. 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 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, providing views of Batalegala ('Bible' Rock). The train then continues its climb through the scenic 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, still visited for its temperate climate, classic hotels, and British-style gardens. The Udarata Menika continues its ascent to the summit at Pattipola, 1,898 m (6,227 ft) above sea level, before descending past Bandarawela to Badulla railway station. In the upcountry, passengers can view the tea gardens, mountains, valleys, and waterfalls.^{[citation needed]}

Rolling stock

The service was run by M6 locomotives pulling Romanian-built ASTRA passenger coaches.^[4] This service is now carried out by Class S14 DMUs.

References

^ "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 19 July 2010.
^ "Sri Lanka Railways Timetable" Archived 31 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a ^b "A beginner's guide to Train travel in Sri Lanka . . ."
^ http://www.infolanka.com/org/mrail/slrails.html The Railways of Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

External links

Great Railway Journeys of the World: Colombo to Badulla on the Udarata Menike Express (or: Why do you need to buy a newspaper before travelling on this train?), by Gyan C. A. Fernando,
ASTRA Passenger Coaches

[The_Island-1] "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 19 July 2010.

[timetable-2] "Sri Lanka Railways Timetable" Archived 31 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine

[seat61-3] "A beginner's guide to Train travel in Sri Lanka . . ."

[4] ttp://www.infolanka.com/org/mrail/slrails.html The Railways of Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

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