Earlier in this year I travelled to Sri Lanka with my husband, who happens to be a heritage railway volunteer. We had seen and heard a lot about Sri Lankan railways and we decided to enjoy some rail travel on our trip.
Whilst in Colombo, we visited the Colombo Fort Railway station. By Sri Lankan standards this is the busiest station and most modern with digital signage and electronic signalling. We were given access to the Station Master's office at the main railway station to take a look behind the scenes. There was a real mix of old and new and technologies.
After our stay in the capital we took the train from Colombo to Galle, which made for a very easy, stress free journey between the two cities, along the Indian ocean coastline. Whilst we did have a first class seat with air conditioning, the windows were really dusty and so I didn't take that many snaps on that leg but I did enjoy the journey nonetheless especially when we ran alongside the sea with the setting sun.
Later in the trip we stayed near Ella in the tea country. Here we actually walked on the railway track from our hotel to the famous Nine Arches Bridge and watched the people hang out of carriages for their mad selfies.
When it was our time to leave we picked up the train to Kandy from Demodara so we could see the spiral of the Demodara Loop at the station and travel across the Nine Arches Bridge, as you miss this is if leave from Ella itself.
Most travellers go from Kandy to Ella and, as a consquence, those trains are generally very busy. We specifically planned our trip to do the journey the other way so we could try to avoid the crowds. We also timed our train so we didn't leave at a weekend or during the midmorning, again to minimise crowding. Fortunately our planning paid off and our carriage wasn't busy until towards the end of the journey. This meant we were able to move around the carriage and find the best windows to check out the stunning views during the first half of the trip when it went through the beautiful hill country. We also booked the second class reserved seating as this meant we had open windows (no dirty glass to hinder the view) which was ideal for photography and offered natural air conditioning.
Finally as we transferred from Kandy to Negombo, we stopped off at the small National Railway museum with some quirky displays and some very old trains in need of restoration.
We really enjoyed the Sri Lankan Railways. Although it doesn't run steam services, it still harks back to a bygone age with token exchanges, analogue timetables, cardboard tickets, parcel offices full of packages and railway workers in pristine uniforms. Whilst the train may not offer the fastest or the most punctual service in the world, it was certainly a super way to experience the country and it's people.
Whilst in Colombo, we visited the Colombo Fort Railway station. By Sri Lankan standards this is the busiest station and most modern with digital signage and electronic signalling. We were given access to the Station Master's office at the main railway station to take a look behind the scenes. There was a real mix of old and new and technologies.
After our stay in the capital we took the train from Colombo to Galle, which made for a very easy, stress free journey between the two cities, along the Indian ocean coastline. Whilst we did have a first class seat with air conditioning, the windows were really dusty and so I didn't take that many snaps on that leg but I did enjoy the journey nonetheless especially when we ran alongside the sea with the setting sun.
Later in the trip we stayed near Ella in the tea country. Here we actually walked on the railway track from our hotel to the famous Nine Arches Bridge and watched the people hang out of carriages for their mad selfies.
When it was our time to leave we picked up the train to Kandy from Demodara so we could see the spiral of the Demodara Loop at the station and travel across the Nine Arches Bridge, as you miss this is if leave from Ella itself.
Most travellers go from Kandy to Ella and, as a consquence, those trains are generally very busy. We specifically planned our trip to do the journey the other way so we could try to avoid the crowds. We also timed our train so we didn't leave at a weekend or during the midmorning, again to minimise crowding. Fortunately our planning paid off and our carriage wasn't busy until towards the end of the journey. This meant we were able to move around the carriage and find the best windows to check out the stunning views during the first half of the trip when it went through the beautiful hill country. We also booked the second class reserved seating as this meant we had open windows (no dirty glass to hinder the view) which was ideal for photography and offered natural air conditioning.
Finally as we transferred from Kandy to Negombo, we stopped off at the small National Railway museum with some quirky displays and some very old trains in need of restoration.
We really enjoyed the Sri Lankan Railways. Although it doesn't run steam services, it still harks back to a bygone age with token exchanges, analogue timetables, cardboard tickets, parcel offices full of packages and railway workers in pristine uniforms. Whilst the train may not offer the fastest or the most punctual service in the world, it was certainly a super way to experience the country and it's people.
Colombo Fort, the City's main station
Colombo Fort
Porter at Colombo Fort
Modern Signalling plan inside the station master's office
Old style ticketing
Throw back to before lorries
Going alongside the Ocean to Galle
Checking the track between Ella and Demodara
View from walking the track near Ella
Crowds gather to see two trains go over Nine Arches Bridge
A local train going towards Ella/Kandy
Who knew a train going over a bridge would be so popular!
The train from Ella to Demadara stopped so passengers could get off for photos
Guard trying to get the train moving again!
Early misty morning at Demadara station
Model of the Demadara loop. It tunnels under the station as part of the loop
Entrance to the underground loop
Old style points at Demadara
Token exchange between driver and Station master
Dawn on the Ella to Kandy Line
Going over a deserted Nine Arches Bridge (it was about 6.30am)
Mileage Board at Ella Station
Old turntable en route
Chugging through the hills
Some of the cultivated land along the way...
... and some of the amazing views in the High Tea Country
Locals use the railway line as footpaths too
Hawkers sell food at stations along the journey.
Railway worker and son
We passed tea plantations a plenty and saw lots of people picking the leaves in the early morning...
... and we saw several a few temples in the towns and countryside.
Scenic Great Western Station
More food
Lower section of Devon Falls
The line bisects some plantations in places
Galboda Station
Simple timetable
Approach to Kandy and still with semaphore signalling
Kandy Station
Kadugannawa Station, Home of the National Railway Museum
Colourful Kadugannawa Station
Framed portrait of a passenger through a cab window
Old train cab instruments
Steam Loco at the Museum
Rolling Stock at the little museum
