New luxury train ‘Denuwara Menike’ from Colombo to Badulla from tomorrow

Thursday, 31 October 2019 02:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Department of Railways says the new intercity express train named the “Denuwara Menike” will be deployed from Colombo Fort to Badulla on the upcountry line from 1 November.

Railway Superintendent Dilantha Fernando said a newly imported state-of-the-art Chinese S-14 power locomotive, specially designed to operate in the hill country, will be deployed for the service from Colombo Fort to Badulla

The train is scheduled to begin its journey at 7:00 am in the morning every day from Colombo Fort and due to travel from Badulla to Fort on the following day. The express train will reach its destination in 8 hours and 43 min. The new intercity train comprises two air-conditioned first class compartments, two second class compartments, three third class compartments and a dining compartment. Seats to all these classes could be reserved in advance, the Railways

Department said. All the compartments of this luxury train would be equipped with a public address system. Television and mobile phone charging facilities would be available in the air-conditioned first class compartment, according to the Railways Department

The new S14 power-sets imported from China, specially designed to operate in the hill country arrived in the country in August this year. Each power set costs US$ 10.3 million (Rs.1839.5 million).