Railway techs who designed observation compartments should be commended – Minister Dr. Bandula

Ratmalana Railway Chief Mechanical Engineers’ Sub-Department has renovated some old Romanian railway carriages that were unused and discarded, for use as tourist railway carriages to attract local and foreign tourists.

The old railway carriages have been modernised and the roof has been removed so that tourists can observe the environment and the railway track more easily. Also, another compartment has been renovated using wood completely so that tourists can observe the environment around the railway line with more comfortable seats. The amount spent by the Railway Department for this is Rs. 55 lakhs.

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, who attended a special inspection of Ratmalana Railway Mechanical Sub-Department to observe these modernised carriages, said that this institution has set a great example for the country by modernising these abandoned railway carriages during the difficult economic situation the country is facing. The Minister pointed out that this design, which was done using the engineering technology of the institute and its technicians, adds a great national value.

The Minister also mentioned that using wood as a unique tourist attraction is an example for the country to use existing resources efficiently.

It is special that these ancient railway carriages, which were in a condition that was not suitable for running at all, have been modernised with the contribution of local railway engineers and technicians, adding a higher value.

In addition to the daily train maintenance work carried out by the Ratmalana Railway Chief Mechanical Engineers’ Sub-Department, most of these carriage design works have been done during the period when the country was closed due to the Covid pandemic. In the future, if an order is received from abroad for the design of such carriages with commercial value, the Railway Department has the ability to carry out the same work on the basis of service requirements. To mark the centenary of the train journey from Colombo to Badulla on the 5th of April, two new trains are expected to run concurrently celebrating the event, and the Minister said that simultaneously, from Nanu Oya, they will start a special tourist train with viewing cabins for short distance runs covering the Upcountry area tourist attractions.

The Minister praised all the designers who have dedicated their energy and time in constructing these special tourist carriages.

Nishantha Perera, Chief Mechanical Engineer of Ratmalana Railway Chief Mechanical Engineers’ Sub-Department, and a group of engineers and technicians from that department were present at this observation.

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