Historic locomotive move between Kandy and Peradeniya without tracks

Colombo, July 2 (Daily Mirror) - A unique operation set to mark a historic moment in Sri Lanka’s railway history is scheduled to take place, with a locomotive being transported between Kandy and Peradeniya without using railway tracks.

Accordingly, M5 class locomotive No. 781 is being prepared for transport from Kandy to Peradeniya via the highway, in what is believed to be the first such operation in the country’s history.

The Department of Railways said the decision was taken as restoration work is underway on the Upcountry railway line between Kadugannawa and Gampola, which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. However, no other service locomotive is currently available to deploy a relief train to clear the affected section.

Officials further stated that, as maintenance work on the Peradeniya Kalupala (Yaka Bridge) has not yet been completed, the locomotive will also be transported across the Mahaweli River via a highway bridge, marking another first in the process.

Although the locomotive was initially scheduled to be transported via the highway at 8:00 p.m. tonight, the operation has been postponed until tomorrow morning due to issues related to crane availability and several other logistical reasons.

The Department of Railways said the operation is expected to be completed within a short period.