“Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 ~History of the Scenic Railway from Kandy to Ella”

• November 26, 2019
• By Pen
• 0 Comment

Daryl and I have been on a lot of train rides all over the world. To say this is the most beautiful scenic one, is a bit overstated, but I will say, it is the only rail trip, where passengers are allowed to hang out the doorways! Chelsie and I enjoyed some open doorway action, but we were cautious, compared to other passengers.

The Sri Lanka Railways, or the Ceylon Government Railway, was conceived in the 1850’s as an instrument to develop and unify the country.  The Sri Lanka Railways was first cut in by Sir Henry Ward; the Governor, in August in 1858. The Railway Network was introduced by the British in 1864 and the first train ran on December 27, 1864, with the construction of the Main Line from Colombo to Ambepussa. This line was officially opened for traffic in October of 1865.

The Railway extended and developed it’s network and in 1927, a total route length of 950 miles was in operation. The Railway was initially built to transport coffee and tea from the hill country to Colombo, for export; which was, for many years, the main source of income. With population growth, however, passenger traffic increased and in the 1960’s it overtook freight as the main source of business. The Railway is now primarily engaged in the transport of passengers, especially commuters to and from Colombo, offering a vital service and reducing road congestion.