Sri Lanka - Narrow Gauge

The Ceylon Government Railway only ever had two 2'6" (762mm) narrow gauge lines. That in the hills known as the Uda - Pussellawa line ran from Nanu-oya to Ragala, some 32km with gradients as steep as 1 in 24. Opened in 1903-4, it served tea country and once road transport became a quicker and cheaper alternative, it became freight only ca 1940, closed ca 1945 and was dismantled some time after.

The Kelani Valley line originally ran from Maradana (Colombo) to Avissawella (1902) and Yatiyantota (1903). A branch, later to become the main line, was added from Avissawella to Ratnapura (1912), Dela (1916) and finally Opanayake (1919). Later a narrow gauge connection was laid between Maradana and Colombo Fort. At that point the railway amounted to nearly 160km. The Avissawela to Yatiyantota section (not shown on the map) closed at the end of 1941. The line beyond Homagama was closed in 1973 but services were subsequently restarted to Avissawella in 1978.

The line to Avissawella was converted to broad gauge in the 1990s and that beyond, having been dismantled earlier, abandoned.

All the steam locomotives were based at the running shed at Dematagoda just north of Maradana, at least one railcar was based at Ratnapura for service at the top of the line.