Class S12 Podi Menike Passing Summit Level View from Horton Plains Road

Описание: Class S12 Podi Menike Train Passing Summit Level View from Horton Plains Road

#Sri_Lanka_Train_Journey #Podi_Menike #Class_S12
#Horton_Plains #Summit_Level #Pattipola
#Badulla_to_Colombo #Sri_Lanka_Train_Ride #Sri_Lanka_Railways

This was seen during our hike to Horton Plains from Pattipola Railway Station. The train is Podi Menike Express Train from Badulla to Colombo Fort. We heard the sound of the train Class S12 with its horn. Suddenly, train appears like this. I guess this the Summit Level area.

Podi Menike Train

"Podi Menike" (Sinhala:පොඩි මැණිකේ, meaning "Little Maiden") is a Sri Lankan passenger train running from Colombo Fort to Badulla. This journey covers about 300 km and is renowned for being the most beautiful train journey in Sri Lanka, especially the stretch from Nanuoya to Ella . It takes about 10 hours to complete the journey.

The train follows the hill-country line, a route developed by the British in the 19th century through scenic mountains. The route features bridges, long tunnels, high slopes and gradients.

The train offers three classes. The train also includes a buffet car.

Air Conditioned First Class (AFC)
2nd class
3rd class typically gets very crowded and carries only basic facilities.

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 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 views of Batalegala ('Bible' Rock). The train then continues its climb through tea country, connecting 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 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 have views of the tea gardens, mountains and valleys, cascading torrents and waterfalls.

Before 2013, 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. This service is now carried out by Class S12 DMUs.

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.

#Class S12 DMUs in Sri Lanka Railways

Class S12 is a diesel multiple-unit (DMU), built for Sri Lanka Railways by China's CSR Corporation. The first batch arrived in Sri Lanka in August 2012. They were built to replace locomotive-hauled passenger trains. Seven of the S12 DMUs were ordered to strengthen long-distance travel on the Main line from Colombo to Badulla. Four of S12s will serve the Kelani Valley Line. The remaining two designed as luxury trains.

The S12 DMUs were meant to improve services on the Main Line and the Kelani Valley Line. The steep slopes on the up-country portion of the Main Line is difficult to operate. Prior to the S12, only a few models of locomotives were capable of operating this line. As DMUs started to replace locomotive-operated trains on other lines, the up-country Main Line could not be operated by DMUs. The S12 is the first DMU to handle these conditions.

In September 2012, the first units had trial runs. The first Main-Line train using the S12 began on 23 October 2012.

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