Goods' train to Heel Oya station from Ambewela - The Real Thing!

In case you wonder how you can spend another day in Nuwara Eliya without your kids pestering your for more pony rides and you are done with the Queen Victoria park, and want to do something different we can recommend that you take the same Goods train from Nanu Oya station, the closest the Nuwara Eliya (7km) or to Ambewela (12km) from Nuwara Eliya town and head off to Bandarawela on the train. It's not the Bullet train or the Euro star so, keep the expectations low and DO empty your bowels and bladders before entering the train station with a snack lunch and you are good to go.

The train tickets from Ambewela to Bandarawela costs less than Rs 35 per adult. And worth every penny if you want to snap pictures or sit and take in the view. The kids can't disturb you as it's impossible to hear each other over the din of the metal wheels of the train over the steel lines. Hopefully they would be captivated, like our child did. by taking down the heights above sea level at each station and counting the 14 tunnels out of 45 on the journey toward Badulla on this track.

This is the highest point on this track. Unfortunately you can trust the locals to vandalise and erase the numbers on the board for fun!

This is the list (part of it) my 8year old listed on the way
Ambewela 1828m (5997')

Pattipola 1891m (6204')
Ohiya 1774m (5820')
Idalgashinna 1615m (5298')
Haputale 1431m (4695')
Diyathalawa
Bandarawela
Heeloya

Our friendly Station Master introduced us to his friend, the SM for Ohiya, Mr. Charith Saranga, also out of Colombo University who showed us the signal changing equipment on the tracks and the telegraph machines still used by the up country railway lines.

The most popular station down the track is the Pattipola. Sitting at 1891m it was around celcius 15degress at 10.45in the morning on 2nd January 09 when we arrived at the sation.

When the train arrived at the Ambewela station he invited us to travel with him in the Guards' Carriage. The guard for the day on the Goods train to Badulla was Mr. Sunil Kumarawansa, a veteran on the tracks and he kindly spent sometime explaining about the brake systems and the mountain range. An avid birder, he is a member of the Ornithology Club run by the Colombo Zoo and was very descriptive about the places where one can hike to see the birds.

He knew each mountain by name and the location the district line is between the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla andof the provincial line of the Uva and the Central Province. For 1st time travelers on this line we appreciate Mr. Sunil Kumarawansa's unbridled enthusiasm about the job he does, surely for quite a low salary and for the extensive knowledge on the Geography on the area he works. He's an asset to the railway. Too bad they don't use him to give a running commentary on the landscape that whizzes or crawls by depending on the incline.

Unfortunately, with him, we got to experience our 1st on-site rail accident. A drunkan man in his 50s was hanging on the arm rails on the train, collided with a water line pole, used earlier for giving water to the steam engines long time ago when in operation, and fell off the train at the edge of the railway platform at Haputale Station. The man was rushed to the closet Hospital and we all stayed on looking helplessly while the whole episode unfolded at a snail's pace as it normally does in such a situation.

The SM for Haputale and the very nice engine driver for the Goods train were sufficiently mad at the hapless creature who got drunk and delayed their train. But was kind enough to let us climb into the engine to look around.

Though we didn’t have time to write down the names, less space than the Space Station in one of these engine! The engine we were in was a German engine and one of the fastest on the tracks.

Henschel Thyssen (Kassel W.Germany). 1650hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Still in operation.
Builder : Henschel-Thyssen Germany
Weight : 87 tons
Power : 1650hp GENERAL MOTORS V12 12-645E (2 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 16

The Sri Lankan Railway owns and runs many engines down 8 main lines - Main line, Matale, Coast, Kelani Valley, Putlam, Northern, Battiocaloe and Trincomalee. We were fortunate to learn about a few of these engines while waiting for our train to depart the Bandarawela station.

M1 – English engine
M2 and M4– Canadian Engine
M5 – Japanese Engine
M6 – German Engine (the engine that pulled the Goods rain we were on)
M7 – British Engine
M8 – Indian Engine
M9 - French Engine

The most powerful M6 German engine which is over 50years old, is capable of pulling a load of 4000 tonnes and generates 1,600 horse power. There are three types of brakes that are located in the engine room, the emergency brake, brakes for the carriages and the parking brakes. This engine has 6gears and airbrakes and run on the dynamic throttle. And the Power throttle pulls the engine forward.

Diesel Locomotives of Sri Lanka
Locomotive classification


Main Line Locomotives (Diesel Electric) - Class M
Main Line Locomotives (Diesel Hydraulic) - Class W
Suburban DMU's - Class S
Narrow Gauge - Class N & P
Shunters - Class Y


M Class Locomotives
M1
Brush Bagnall (British) 1,000hp. Currently not in service, 25 locomotives were imported to Sri Lanka from 1953 onwards. Phasing out of service started in 1983. Most of the locomotives are scrapped and a few remains beyond salvagable condition in Ratmalana workshop.
One locomotive No. 560 is parked in Running Shed Dematagoda almost intact, which could be restored back to running condition.
Visit Brushlanka website for further information
Builder : Brush Bagnall UK
Weight : 88 tons
Power : 1000hp Mirrlees V12 JS12VT (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 25

M2
sub class (M2a, M2b, M2c, M2d)

General Motors (Canada) GM-567 1,425hp Imported to Sri Lanka from 1954 onwards. The most efficient locomotive in the SL Roster. Almost all locomotives are still operational.


Builder : General Motors Canada
Weight : 79 tons
Power : 1425hp GM V12 12-567c (2 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 14

M3

Locally Manufactured 'Jayanthi' Class locomotive. 2 engines (180hp x 2) taken from Class S1 was used for this locomotive. Locomotive is non operational and scrapped.
Builder : Sri Lanka Railway
Weight : 46 tons
Power : English Electric 6 cylinder 180hp x 2 (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 2

M4
MLW (Canada) Alco Bombardier MX620. Longest locomotive in the SL Roster. Imported 1975 onwards Still operational.
Builder : Montreal Locomotive Works Canada
Weight : 93 tons
Power : 1750hp Alco Bombardier V12 12-251C3 (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 14

M5
Hitachi (Japan) 1600hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Some locomotives repowered with Paxman engines classified as M5B. Some with "Caterpillar" 3516 DITA engines and re-classified as M5C. Still in operation
Builder : Hitachi Japan
Weight : 66tons
Power : 1640 MTU-Ikegai V12 12V652TD11 (4 stroke)
M5A - 1150hp MTU V12 (4 stroke)
M5B - 1150hp PAXMAN Velanta V12 (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 16

M6
Henschel Thyssen (Kassel W.Germany). 1650hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Still in operation.
Builder : Henschel-Thyssen Germany
Weight : 87 tons
Power : 1650hp GENERAL MOTORS V12 12-645E (2 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 16

M7
Brush Bagnall (British). 1000hp. Imported in 1981 to coincide with Queen"s visit to the Island. Still in operation.
Builder : Brush UK
Weight : 67 tons
Power : 1000hp GENERAL MOTORS V8 8-645E (2 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 16

M8
sub class (M8a)

WDM2 (Varanasi India). 2600hp. First batch Imported in 1996. Second batch classified as M8A Slightly shorter in length than the first batch. Still in operation.
Builder : Diesel locomotive works Varanasi India
Weight : 110 tons
Power : 2600hp ALCO V16 (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 10

M9
Alsthom (France). 1800hp. Imported to Sri Lanka in 2000. This locomotive faced various problems (electrical/mechanical) initially, now somewhat slowly adapting to the local environment. In operation.
10 Locomotives were imported to Sri Lanka. Currently only 3 locomotives are in running condition.
Builder : Alstom France
Weight : 100.56 tons
Power : 3220hp derated to 1800hp ALSTOM RUSHTON DIESEL 12 RK 215T (4 stroke)
Rated rpm : 1000 rpm
Idle rpm : 400 rpm
Max speed : 110km/h
Axle load : 16.76tons
Fuel tank capacity : 5000 litres
Sand box capacity : 480 litres
Minimum curve radius : 100m
Total number of locomotives = 10

W Class Locomotives
W1

Henschel Thyssen (W.German). 1150hp. Imported in 1969. 10 locomotives were completely rehabilitated with Caterpillar 3512 DITA Engines, Voith L 520 Transmission with dynamic braking added to transmission. Also colour scheme changed to blue & white. Rehabilitated locomotives were re-classified as W3. In operation.
Builder : Henschel Thyssen Germany
Weight : 61 tons
Power W1 : 1150hp Paxman V12 12YJXL (4 stroke)
W3 : 1100hp CAT 3512 DITA V12 (4 stroke)
Transmission - VOITH L 520 R U2
L - Locomotive transmission5 - Circuit size index2 - No of Torque converters0 - No of fluid couplingR - ReversingU2 - Model No
Total number of locomotives = 45


W2
Karl Marx Werks (E. Germany). 1500hp. Imported in 1969. In operation.
Builder : VEB
Weight : 65tons
Power : 1578hp PAXMAN V16 16YJXL (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 15

S Class Locomotives (DMU's)
S1
English Electric (British) Powered set. Two 180hp engines per locomotive. Not in operation and the locomotives were scrapped due to the heavy corrosion incurred running on the coastal line. Engines were installed in M3 Locomotive.
Builder : English Electric
Weight : 94 tons
Power : English electric 180hp 6 cylinder x 2 (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 3
S2
Schindler (German) Diesel Hydraulic. 790hp (4 stroke). Imported in the 1950"s Non operational.
Total number of locomotives = 15
S3
Machinenfabrik (German) Diesel Hydraulic. 880hp. Imported in the 1960's Non operational.
1 DMU is in operation running local service between Galle & Matara
Builder : MAN Germany
Weight : 47 tons
Power : 880hp MAN V12 L12V18./21 (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 25
S4
Machinenfabrik (German) Diesel Hydraulic. 1000hp (4 stroke). Imported in the 1960"s Non operational.
Total number of locomotives = 5
S5
Hitachi (Japan), 775hp (4 stroke). Diesel Hydraulic. Tourist excursion train. In service
Builder : Hitachi Japan
Weight : 158 tons (total train with coaches)
Total number of locomotives = 4
S6
Hitachi (Japan), 1165hp. Diesel Hydraulic. Imported in 1975. Operational mainly on the recently Broad gauged "Kaleni Valley" Line.
Builder : Hitachi Japan
Weight : 51 tons powered unit only
Power : 1165hp Paxman V12-12YJXL (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 10
S7
Hitachi (Japan), 1020hp. Diesel Hydraulic. Very similar in appearence to S6. Operational mainly on the Broad gauged "Kaleni Valley" line, with limited runs on the mainline on less peak time. Imported in 1977.
Builder : Hitachi Japan
Weight : 54 tons powered unit only
Power : 1020hp Cummings V8 KTA-2300 (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 10
S8
Hyundai (Korean), 1150hp (4 stroke). Diesel Hydraulic. Imported in 1989. Currently In operation. This DMU has a remarkably high acceleration rate from zero to 60mph.
Builder : Hyundai Korea
Weight : 55 tons powered unit only
Total number of locomotives = 20
S9
Chinese MTU, Diesel Electric 1150hp (4 stroke). Imported in 2000. Currently in operation. Capable of running with Electrified overhead cables (Pantographs not installed in local units). Driver has a VDU with engine status indication.
Total number of locomotives = 15

N & P Class Locomotives (Narrow gauge locomotives)
N1
KRUPP (W.German). Imported in 1953. Not in operation. Diesel Hydraulic 490hp
Total number of locomotives = 5

N2
KAWASAKI (Japan). Imported in 1973. Not in operation. Diesel Hydraulic 600hp
Total number of locomotives = 3

P1
HUNSLET (British). Imported in 1950. Not in operation.One Locomotive was acquired by Colombo Municipal and was used as an amusement park train in "Viharamahadevi Park" Colombo. Currently seems to be in abandoned status. Mechanical transmission, 130hp
Total number of locomotives = 4


Y Class Locomotives (Shunters)
Y

HUNSLET (British). Imported in 1969. In operation. Diesel Hydraulic 530hp
Builder : Hunslet UK
Weight : 45 tons
Power : 530hp Rolls-Royce V8 DV 8T (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 28

Y1
Sri Lankan Railway Built. Manufactured 1972 Not in use - Diesel Hydraulic 1000hp. Same powerplant as S6 and W3 used (Paxman 12YJXL)
Builder : Srilanka Railway
Weight : 52 tons
Power : 1000hp Paxman V12 12YJXL (4 stroke)
Total number of locomotives = 7

We were also told that the railway owns 20feet margins along the whole track and that the Railway has the authority to remove all the shanty houses and other illegal developments along it's lines.

Another thing everyone is fascinated by is the horn or whistle of the engine driver and the cabby or the engineer. They sound the horn at unsafe rail crossings, around blind bends, when approaching stations and when they see people or animals on the tracks. Our son had the privilege of hooting the horn whilst on the engine and he was thrilled to sit on the Engineers seat and look out.

Down in Negombo where we live, the shanty houses located only 200m from our home, are only 3feet away from the track and we always hear the Engine Driver leaning on the whistle as he passes this stretch daily at all time of the day. When you sit in the engine as high as it is and has a bird's eye view, one can imagine the plight of the driver to see children and adults sit on tracks and moving away only when the train is 5metres away. Just as people here lack a healthy respect for the cars and buses on the road, same disrespect goes to the railway!

Yes, sometimes the jouney is THIS dismal when the delays stretch for hours and not minutes.

This is the exchange of the Tablet, the permission slip to travel from one station to the next on a single line. See, when our train starts at Nanu Oya the SM would hand over a small copper tablet which states the name of the originating station and the next station down the line, and the number the track uses. This copper piece is put into a leather pouch and then that is hung and locked on a circular wire also, padded with learther for easy handling. This pouch is then handed over to the, say, Ambewela SM who would keep it with him to hand over to the next train that arrives at his station who would be traveling up to Nanu Oya, no two trains would have the same tablet at any given time.

The British invented this system and is used today and would carry on for the next decade and over.

Couplings


This is the mechanism for the couplings and the vaccum brake hose. All this is done manualy by an engineer at the station when engines are removed to shunt.

This is the coupled engine and the carriage

We traveled all the way to Heel Oya, passing Bandarawela and before the Ella Stations where we met the next train heading back to Nanu Oya. This is also a Goods train and you can take this rain at Bandarawela at 1pm in the afternoon. The train has a good half hour to 45min stay in Bandarawela and the engine would shunt oil tanks and other goods vans onto and off other lines and sometimes to itself. It's a well trained mission: to see the SMs and the helpers run behind the Engines and signal the drivers when to stop to couple and uncouple vans.

If you are lucky you get to see the clear mountain range and can tell each mountain apart from the others. There's always commotion on the train, at Ohiya, anther drunkard behind us realized that he'd gone to the wrong end of the car to get off the train and pulled the emergency brakes to get off! This resulted in much blame for him from the guards and the deputy SM of Ohiya and jail time the next attempt at such a poor display of choice.

Since these trains are running on a single track there's no worry about missing your return train back when you want to catch back to back trains. Also, a good idea to travel during the day as not to miss the spectacular sunsets and the morning scenes of tea plantation workers picking leaves along the tracks among many other things.

Our journey ended at 5pm at Ambewela station. Of course we were grubby and wore much soiled clothes but nevertheless fascinated that we managed to make this trip and make lots of friends and get back in one piece.

People who make it possible


Train driver of the M6 to Badulla (at Bandarawela Station)


Engineer on the M6

Ohiya SM




Ambewela SM

We met three engine drivers, again, no name taking as the train engines are the size of portable toilets and there is no room for anything else other than for the driver and engineer to turn the knobs and switches, worry about people jumping into and off the train and doing their best to keep the ancient beasts on the track climbing such high altitudes.

We met one engineer, who works the Podi Menike and other trains on this route, a remarkably friendly person with years of knowledge of the tracks and snippets of daily life that passes by of the inhabitants of the villages they pass.

Two exceptionaly friendly train drivers who were happy to share their experiences on the track about elephants crossing the tracks at night on the Northern Line to people doing the silliest stunts to get on a train.

A train Guard who takes his work seriously and takes pride in wearing his Government issue white garbs and green flag he gets to wave at the stations. Immensly educated on the geography of the lands he travels over and not just the Badulla line.

Very patient Station Masters who has to work in extreme hard conditions with minimum of comforts to keep the railway running under all conditions. We learnt that the Ohiya SM got hot water supply only a few months ago.

We'd have not made both our trips on the occasionally late and some times not the cleanest trains on the tracks in Sri Lanka, if not for the Ambewea and Ohiya, very charming Station Masters who promised the view was worth it! May the SLR recruit more upbeat staff as such.

Hats off to the Sri Lanka Railway Department.