Udarata Menike

*Udarata Menike* උඩරට මැණිකේ மேல்நாட்டு ராணி
	The Udarata Menike emerges from a tunnel on the scenic hill-country line
Overview
Service type	Inter-city rail
Status	In service
Locale	Sri Lanka
First service	23 April 1956[1]
Last service	present
Current operator(s)	Sri Lanka Railways
Former operator(s)	Ceylon Government Railway
Route
Start	Colombo Fort railway station
Stops	Badulla railway station
Distance travelled	290 km (180 mi)
Average journey time	8 - 10 hours
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	1015 (Colombo Fort-Badulla); 1016 (Badulla-Colombo Fort)[2]
On-board services
Sleeping arrangements	Not available
Observation facilities	N\A
Technical
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Route map

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

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 5.55 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 S12 DMUs.

References

↑ "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 2010-07-19.
↑ "Sri Lanka Railways Timetable" Archived 31 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
1 2 "A beginner's guide to Train travel in Sri Lanka . . ."
↑ http://sundaytimes.lk/081102/TV/sundaytvtimes_05.html
↑ 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

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[The_Island-1] "The Island". Rampala regime in the local Railway History. 2010-07-19.

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

[seat61-3] 1 2 "A beginner's guide to Train travel in Sri Lanka . . ."

[4] ttp://sundaytimes.lk/081102/TV/sundaytvtimes_05.html

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