Matale line

Inaugurated in 1880, the Matale line (sometimes referred to as the Kandy line) is a branch railway line in Sri Lanka. Operated by Sri Lanka Railways, the line includes some of the busiest rail services in the country.[1]

Matale line
Overview
StatusFunctioning
OwnerSri Lanka Railways
LocaleSri Lanka
TerminiPeradeniya Junction
Matale
Stations20 stations
Websitewww.railway.gov.lk
Service
TypeRegional rail
SystemSri Lanka Railways
Operator(s)Sri Lanka Railways
Technical
Line length33.8 km (21.0 mi)
Number of tracksSingle track: Peradeniya Junction to Matale
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
ElectrificationNo
Route map
 Matale
 Thawalankoya
 Kohombiliwala
 Elwala
 Ukuwela
 Udaththawela
 Marakona
 Patanpaha
 Yatawara
 Wattegama
 Uda Thalawinna
 Palle Thalawinna
 Katugastota
 Mahaweli River
 Mawilmada
 Mahaiyawa
 Asgiriya
 Kandy
 Sarasavi Uyana
 Mahaweli River
 Peradeniya Junction Main Line to Badulla
 Main Line to Colombo Fort

History

The 28.2 km (17.5 mi) route was surveyed between 1875 and 1877. In May 1878 the contract to construct the rail line was issued to David Reid for Rs. 1,782,408.[2] The total estimated cost of the Matale extension amounted to Rs. 3,300,000, being a rate of Rs. 189,247 per mile. The line was opened for traffic on 4 October 1880 by the Governor, Sir James Longden, eight months earlier than the contract date, for which Reid was given a Rs. 35,000 bonus.[3]

Route definition

The Matale line begins at Peradeniya Junction and runs east towards Kandy Railway Station. It then turns north and runs through Katugastota and Wattegama before reaching the Matale District. It passes through Ukuwela before terminating at the Matale Railway Station.

Infrastructure

The Matale line has a gauge of 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge. The line is not electrified. Regular services run on diesel power.

Timetable

Downwards
Starting station Departure time Destination station Time Name Frequency
Kandy 05.00 Matale 06.13 Daily
Kandy 07.04 Matale 08.38 Daily
Kandy 10.20 Matale 11.40 Daily
Kandy 14.00 Matale 15.23 Daily
Kandy 17.10 Matale 18.23 Daily
Kandy 18.40 Matale 20.03 Daily

Upwards
Starting station Departure time Destination station Time Name Frequency
Matale 05.00 Kandy 06.20 Daily
Matale 06.40 Kandy 07.55 Daily
Matale 10.15 Kandy 11.45 Daily
Matale 13.55 Kandy 15.25 Daily
Matale 17.00 Kandy 18.28 Daily
Matale 18.40 Kandy 20.00 Daily

References
  1. "Train travel in Sri Lanka". lanka.com.
  2. "Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers". 63. Institution of Civil Engineers (Great Britain). 1881: 71. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Perera, G. F. (1925). The Ceylon Railway: The Story of Its Inception and Progress. Ceylon Observer. p. 272.
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