Sri Lankan Railways (SLR) - Diesels Locomotives at Colombo Fort Station December 2009

[jeevanga]

About five steam locos are operational and are used on Veceroy Special tourist train.I remember I climbed up about 3 of them when they had an exhibition around 1998.

[pkehel]

I love these trains but when you compare these trains to japanese and chinese trains these suck.

[AndreiTupolev]

They still have the water column on the platform end, i notice. Do they have any operational steam locos?

[ICLOK]

They have some at Dermatagoda shed, but not sure now if they are fully operational... they may need overhaul

[AndreiTupolev]

Fascinating video. Some interesting locomotives. Perhaps they could modernise the rolling stock, but keep the Alcos, please. And they have Class 67s with the engines that were tried out in some Class 37s, then? How fascinating.

[porscheland]

What are the locos that look like a class 67 ? do you know what diesel engine they use ?.

[peelig]

@porscheland

Hi, They are the Class M9 of the Sri Lankan Railways and like the EWS Class 67, they too are Alstom Prima locos. However, they have Ruston 12RK21T engines of around 2000up.

[vkchaitanya2003]

1940s trains in lanka

[banuthev]

Thanks for sharing the wonderful video

[shiranthas]

This is so cool

[nanba25]

well done!

I remember a trip in 1987 or 1988, along the coast near Kalutara, absolutely crowded, just like subway at peak hours. A relative of a railway employee admitted our family into a luggage car, wich was much more comfortable and we could seat, at last; Another trip in 1980 was in the tea plantation area and was a pure marvel (around Nuwara Elya)

[dampFreddie]

Nice to see - and by no means least, hear - that the EE type 3 spirit lives on in the prima RK215 T here! 

[meekiri]

good one 

[argenvia]

beautiful video

Passenger train services are nearby??

8:30 minutes locomotive manufacturer which is it??

Greetings from Argentina

Gustavo

[Lahiru86]

@argenvia That locomotive is manufactured by Hitachi Corp. (Japan) and imported to Sri Lanka. During mid 1990's they were re-powered with Caterpillar engines.

You can find passenger service trains starting from Colombo Fort station to several cities of Sri Lanka. These trains consist of local services, slow trains as well as inter-city express trains (ICE).

[trainmaster500]

great video... I am a rail fan that new little about the sri lanken system until now.

[rajnikantsharma]

While I absolutely agree that tourists should come to enjoy what Sri Lanka (or any other country they visit) has to offer (if any tourist wants Western facilities, they can always stay home), I would support modernization of trains if citizens/Sri Lankans can travel more comfortably and faster without having to pay an exorbitant price.

[ICLOK]

Hi there, I agree... just make what you already have more efficient... you have a great network that just needsa few good tweaks for its regular users (the people), re-building the railway western style would not work and it would cost the railway not only its character but a lot of unneccessary expense! The railway as is would appeal to most tourists if sold as a traditionally operated railway that gives a flavour of life for everyday Sri Lankan people.

I'm back soon and cannot wait!

[cakcg2004]

ICLOK. Great video bro! it's really nice to see the cooments you have put about my country. WE need more tourists like you. Since my uncle is employeed in SLR I have gone around 5 cab rides. Longest was upto Kandy from CMB on my way to Nuwaraeliya.

Yes the tracks should be improved & they should maintain the coaches in regular basis to keep them clean. Specially the Observation salon which most locals are eager to use.

[MrSljetboy]

Great ICLOCK great..I had some loco ridz and SLR staff were very friendly...The loco driver wz so kind as he showed us whatever interesting on the way and wz so much knowledgeable on the geography and history or that area....His assistant whenever possible explained about the M6 engine we were travelling.Hats off for SLR staff....

[rajitha999]

Great wok yet again. thanks

[vinura84]

Nice i used to take the train from colombo to mount when i went to skool. SL trains r the best :-)

[solomonXR1]

did you go to stc ?

[colsuemeg]

Fabulous video.5*. I agree 100% with your comments about SLR staff. On my many visits to Sri Lanka I too found them to be most accomodating and friendly. I have a friend who is an engine driver so I am lucky enough to get cab rides on my visits.

Lets hope they don't go and ruin it all by modernistaion as in the UK.

I saw a fantastic sight on my last visit of platewaymen at work. How wonderful to see the job being done without the H&S police!! I posted the video on you tube so take a look.

[ICLOK]

I already took a look mate... and gave you a 5 *

I got 8 cab rides in two visits... the station staff looked after me well and I even watched some cricket late one night on a trip in June....

To modernise such a system in a such a country will simply lead to higher ongoing maintenance costs and lose the character of the trains routes and railwaywaymen... they should spend on simply improving the stuff they already have... the thought of a highspeed supa dupa line fills me with woe!

[sonofthedestroyer]

@ICLOK,

I agree. development in SL must be looked at carefully. SL is a small beautiful natural wonder. Reckless corporate development will ruin it. Turn into another Singapore. Just concrete and buildings and too much hectic lifestyle. I certainly dont want to see high speed electric trains like they have in India (Shatabdi, Rajdhani etc).

[modemeyes]

Your right maintain your national railways as they are & don't give way to the tourist or modern locomotive design by computer. Look what modernisation did for British Railways...5*

[NN2Blue]

Superb video compilation 5* - To join the arguement. I would love to be able to go to Sri Lanka and ride these trains! They have so much more character than UK trains which are becoming no more than air conditoned metal tubes. - Mike

[thivakar]

omg they really need to do something about the stations, and trains, they are kind of old and ugly idont think the tourist will like riding on these trains, They should worry abou these things then buidling a waste Airport in Hambantota.

[ICLOK]

No... this is exactly how the trains need to be.. investing in new, airconditioned trains just to meet the aspirations of westerners will lose the character of the lines which the tourists love, its the tracks that need the upgrade so they can better utilise what they have. Perhaps some refinishing of the station buildings but again not replacement... they are adequate for the trains they serve... just smarten them up.

I loved it there!

Regards IC

[kasuni8]

I remember when I was a student in late 70's watching trains near at Gamini hall Maradana. At that time I want to be a Train Guard . Trains are still facinating me. Thanks for posting.