The Kelani Valley line (KV) was originally built from Colombo to Yatiyanthota via Avissawella during 1900–1902. It was branched off at Avissawella and extended up to Opanayaka via Ratnapura (completed in 1912).
Originally built as a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow-gauge line to serve the rubber plantations in the area, the railway line between Avissawella and Yatiyanthota was removed in 1942. The line from Homagama to Opanayaka was abandoned in 1973. The services were restarted up to Avissawella in 1978.
Kelani Valley line 6683/TCK Maharagama railway station. The class J1 steam locomotive #221 on narrow gauge rail road Way back in 1976, the Homagama railway station of Ceylon Government Railways. The class J1 steam locomotive #221 on narrow gauge rail road Narrow Gauge locos Nos 291 and 176 on Dematagoda shed – these locos worked on the Kelani Valley line hauling passenger trains Remnant of old narrow gauge line remaining on the new broad gauge line at Avissawella end. Both lines were kept available using one rail in addition to broad gauge track. Class N1 # 565 Loco Stopped at Pannipitiya Station Class T2 # 323 (local converted from R Class steam railcar in the 1950) at Homagama railway station. Unprotected crossing near Railway Avenue inbetween Nugegoda and Kirullapone in 1998. Loco class W1 Locomotive class S6 # 742 arriving at Maharagama railway station. These Japan made diesel hydraulic Hitachi locos were imported in 1975 and they have done a great service to KV line commuters. These locos are no more in operation after S8’s & S12’s take over their responsibilities. This is believed to be way back in 1975, narrow gauge train carriages somewhere on KV line. You can see how KV trains were crowded even in those days. Abandoned class J1 steam locomotive #220 at SLR workshop in Rathmalana Abandoned class J1 steam locomotive #220 at SLR workshop in Rathmalana Abandoned class J1 steam locomotive #220 at SLR workshop in Rathmalana Avissawella Railway Station staff and their families in year 1967 /1968. Mrs Pharisa Sheriffdeen shared this photo with us. Her mother seated in second row, right hand side with short hair and her father standing behind mother in tanned suit. His name was Jazeel and worked as an Assistant Station Master (ASM). The Head Guard Mr. Kulmeyrr standing second from left who wearing a tie (tall person). Building Foreman (BDF) Mr. Fernando (standing 3rd row, 4th person from left), Foreman Plate Layer (FPL) Mr. A Silva & other Assistant Station Master (ASM) Mr. Ramanayake also in this photo (standing next to Mr. Jazeel in dark color full suit) . Station Master (SM) is in uniform in the middle and his wife and daughter seated beside he driver of a train(class S6 # 742) Maradana-Avissawella on the KV Line is taking a few minutes rest on the platform, in Padukka. April 2006. A sentinel narrow gauge (2’6″) railcar pauses at Homagama en-route to the capital Columbo A rare photo from year 1991, class S6 741 loco on broad gauge track and class V2 331-the Sentinel railcar on narrow gauge track in Narahenpita railway station. This is after narrow gauge track converted to a broad gauge track of KV line. During this transformation, for a short period, both lines were kept available using one rail in addition to broad gauge track. Opanayaka Railway Station Avissawella Railway Station Kahawaththa Railway Station in 1970s Ratnapura Railway Station in 1912 The locomotive turning table which was at Ratnapura Station Class J1 221 passes over Nugegoda level crossing Ratnapura Railway Station c.1970
During the narrow-gauge era, the line had its own fleet of narrow-gauge locomotives and rolling stock. The steam locomotives of Class K and Sentinel railcars class V1 and V2 were also used.
The main reasons behind the extinction of narrow gauge railways were due to the lack of speedy operations. This was due to the sharp curves occurring regularly along the tracks. In order to overcome this problem in 1992, a project was started to convert the line to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in). The project was finally completed up to Avissawella (58 km or 36 mi) in 1996. During this transformation, for a short period, both lines were kept available using one rail in addition to broad gauge track.
The tracks beyond Avissawella were completely dismantled, leaving only ruined stations, bridges, and bunds. After the conversion rolling stock of narrow gauge were restricted to a shed only and some of them were sold as scrap and only a few locomotives of steam and diesel and one steam rail car were kept in the running shed at Dematagoda and did not even start the engines of these locomotives afterwards.
The timeline of Kelani Valley line until broad-gauge conversion
- 1898 – Intial discussions of KV & UPR lines
- 1902 – KV line first stretch up to Avissawella was opened
- 1903 – KV line Yatiyantota stretch was opened
- 1912 – KV line was extended up to Ratnapura
- 1919 – KV line extended to Openayake
- 1941 – Last passenger train operated in Yatiyantota stretch
- 1975 – KV line was operational only up to Homagama
- 1978 – Again KV line was operational up to Avissawella
- 1993 – Broad gauging was started in KV line
- 1997 – Broad gauging was completed up to Avissawella & Rolling stock of narrow gauge was stationed to sheds.
The Kelani Valley line is entirely single track, at 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in). As train frequency increases, it is becoming increasingly challenging to operate trains running both direction on the single-line track.
Currently the line serves an increasingly urbanized population leading up to Avissawella. All services run on diesel power. Current operating speeds are limited due to the sharp curves on the line.
Credit – Wikipedia, RailPictures, Kelani Valley Railway, Duran Nanayakkara, Colombo Fort
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