Sri Lanka - A Legendary Train Journey
Rodrigo Pryarathne faces a special challenge: the driver is allowed to drive the demanding route from Nawalapitiya to the mountainous and Badulla for the first time. It is usually a single-track over many bridges, through almost 40 tunnels and up to a height of 1,900 meters. It is one of the most difficult railway lines in the highlands of Sri Lanka. When the British colonial power built from the middle of the 19th century through the highlands of Sri Lanka, it served mainly the transport of cinnamon, pepper, tea and coffee. The goods were brought from the high plantations to the capital Colombo, from where they were shipped to Europe.
Today, the route is mainly used for passenger traffic within the island. Among the travelers are also employees of the new bio farms, which want to sell their goods at the weekly market of Colombo. The bio-industry is still at the beginning, but it is booming. Without the diesel locomotive, which would wind itself over the slopes, transport would be unthinkable. Too rough the terrain, too steep and sloping the route amidst the mountains up to 1,900 meters high.That is why not every driver can drive the demanding route. Only experienced drivers, who have already proved themselves on other routes, come into the selection. One of them is Rodrigo, who has been running other routes for 26 years. Together with a colleague, he now goes on a test ride, which takes him up to the end station high in the mountains, over the spectacular spiral of Demodara and back into the valley. If Rodrigo manages this route, he will be allowed to drive her alone.
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