Udarata Menike

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

Udarata Menike උඩරට මැණිකේ மேல்நாட்டு ராணி
Overview
Service typeExpress train
StatusIn service
LocaleSri Lanka
First service23 April 1956[1]
Last servicepresent
Current operator(s)Sri Lanka Railways
Former operator(s)Ceylon Government Railway
Route
StartColombo Fort railway station
StopsBadulla railway station
Distance travelled290 km (180 mi)
Average journey time10–12 hours
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)1015 (Colombo Fort-Badulla)
1016 (Badulla-Colombo Fort)[2]
On-board services
Sleeping arrangementsNot available
Observation facilitiesN
Technical
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Route map
Badulla
Hali Ela
Uduwara
Demodara Loop (Tunnel No. 42)
Demodara
Ella
Kithal Ella
Heel Oya
Kinigama
Bandarawela
Diyatalawa
Haputale
Tangamale Sanctuary
Idalgashinna
Ohiya
Tunnel No. 18 (Pattipola Tunnel)
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
Galkandawatta
Tunnel No. 14 (Singha Malai Tunnel)
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
Nanu Oya
Matale Line
Peradeniya Junction
Barammane
Pilimatalawa
Kadugannawa
Tunnel No. 10 (Moragalla Tunnel) & 11
Weralugolla
Tunnel No. 9
Balana
Tunnel No. 6, 7 & 8
Makehelwala
Ihala Kotte
Tunnel No. 5A (Meeyangalla Tunnel)
Gangoda
Tunnel No. 5
Yatiwaldeinya
Kadigamuwa
Tunnel No. 2, 3 & 4
Rambukkana
Rambukkana Oya
Yatagama
Tismalpola
Panaliya
Northern Line
Polgahawela Junction
Walakumbura
Alawwa
Bujjomuwa
Yattalgoda
Maha Oya
Ambepussa
Botale
Tunnel No. 1
Wilwatta
Mirigama
Wijaya Rajadahana
Ganegoda
Pallewela
Keenawala
Wadurawa
Veyangoda
Heendeniya Pattiyagoda
Magalegoda
Bemmulla
Daraluwa
Gampaha
Attanagalu Oya
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

The Udarata Menike made its maiden journey on 23 April 1956. The Badulla-bound train departs from Colombo at 8.30 a.m.,[3] while the Colombo-bound train leaves Badulla at 5.45 a.m. The trip takes about 10 hours.[4]

Services

The train offers three classes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd, The latter sometimes gets very 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 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, providing views of Batalegala ('Bible' Rock). The train then continues its climb through the scenic tea country, connecting 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 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.

Rolling stock

The service was run by M6 locomotives pulling Romanian-built ASTRA passenger coaches.[5] This service is now carried out by Class S14 DMUs.

See also

References

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