"Podi Manike" is a Sri Lankan

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...

 passenger train running from Colombo Fort to Badulla

Badulla

Badulla , is the capital of Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Badulla is located 60 km southeast of Kandy, almost encircled by the Badulu Oya River, about 680 metres above sea level and is surrounded by picturesque hills and mountains, most of which have tea plantations.-Geography:It is located on the...

. Known as the most beautiful train journey in Sri Lanka, this journey covers about 400 miles. It takes about 7 hours to complete the journey.

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

Services

The train offers three classes, of which the first class

First class travel

First class is the most luxurious class of accommodation on a train, passenger ship, airplane, or other conveyance. It is usually much more expensive than business class and economy class, and offers the best amenities.-Aviation:...

 observation car

Observation car

An observation car/carriage/coach is a type of railroad passenger car, generally operated in a passenger train as the last carriage, with windows on the rear of the car for passengers' viewing pleasure...

 is very popular with tourists. The train also includes a buffet car.

• 1st class observation car is very popular among tourists. The observation car provides wide views of the scenary and is normally at the rear of the train but occasionally behind the locomotive.

• 2nd class

• 3rd class typically gets very crowded and carries only basic facilities.

Route

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 the rapidly developing centers of Ragama

Ragama

Ragama is a municipality located in the Western Province, Sri Lanka.Ragama is easily accessible from the Colombo - Negambo main road and is about from Mahabage junction. This is a well known town due to one major Railway junction where the main line and the Puttalam line meet. The town is also...

, Gampaha

Gampaha

Gampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, north of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River.-Namesake:...

, Veyangoda, and Polgahawela

Polgahawela

Polgahawela is a town in north western Sri Lanka. The town is most notable for a major railway accident that occurred in 2005. Polgahawela is a small city that belongs to the North Western Province of Sri Lanka, and situated at a distance of 80 km north-east from the capital city of Colombo; 50 km...

. 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 spectacular views of Batalegala

Batalegala

Batalegala is a mountain near Aranayake in Kegalle District in central Sri Lanka. It is known as the "Bible rock". Due to its prominent flat top surface , it resembles the more famous Sigiriya citadel located more north of ot....

 ('Bible' Rock). The train then continues its climb through the scenic tea country

Tea production in Sri Lanka

Tea production in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is of high importance to the Sri Lankan economy and the world market. The country is the world's fourth largest producer of tea and the industry is one of the country's main sources of foreign exchange and a significant source of income for laborers,...

, connecting busy local market centers at Gampola

Gampola

Gampola is a town located near Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Gampola was made the capital city of the island by King Buwanekabahu IV, who ruled for four years in the mid fourteenth century. The last king of Gampola was King Buwanekabahu V. He ruled the island for 29 years. A separate...

, Nawalapitiya

Nawalapitiya

Nawalapitiya is a town in the country of Sri Lanka. It is in the Kandy administrative district, 38 kilometers away from Kandy. The town is near Mahaweli Ganga. Nawalapitiya is a one of the well planned towns of SriLanka.It is well connected to all nearby important places by Bus...

, and Hatton

Hatton

-Places:Canada* Hatton, SaskatchewanEngland* Hatton, Cheshire West and Chester, in the county of Cheshire* Hatton, Derbyshire* Hatton, Lincolnshire* Hatton, London, in the London Borough of Hounslow* Hatton, Shropshire...

 before reaching Nanu-Oya. This is the connection to the former colonial resort of Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya , meaning "city on the plain " or "city of light", is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka...

, still popular 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

Bandarawela

Bandarawela is the second largest city in Badulla District which is 28 km away from Badulla. Due to higher altitude, Bandarawela has a mild weather condition throughout the year hence, it is popular among the citizens to spend the vacations with their family members...

 to Badulla

Badulla

Badulla , is the capital of Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Badulla is located 60 km southeast of Kandy, almost encircled by the Badulu Oya River, about 680 metres above sea level and is surrounded by picturesque hills and mountains, most of which have tea plantations.-Geography:It is located on the...

 Terminus. In the upcountry, passengers are rewarded with views of tea gardens, mountains and valleys, cascading torrents and waterfalls.

Rolling Stock

Usually a Class W diesel hydraulic locomotive is used in this train. An Observation saloon is attached at the end.
Romanian-built ASTRA passenger coaches are used.

On Order

The service will be upgraded, as new long-haul diesel multiple units from China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation will be imported to serve the upcountry route.