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]

• 1st class observation car is very popular among tourists. The observation car provides wide views of the scenery and is normally at the rear of the train but occasionally behind the locomotive.
• 2nd class
• 3rd class typically gets very crowded and carries only basic facilities.

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

• Sri Lanka Railways
• List of named passenger trains of Sri Lanka

References