At Demodara the surveyors discovered that the elevation of the hills was too great for the track to negotiate. With the maximum inclination allowed in railways at that time being one foot per 44 feet, an innovative track design had to be devised. Situated 172 miles from Colombo, Demodara has joined railway legend for its fascinating loop. It is said when surveyors were in a conundrum to proceed beyond Demodara, a local farmer suggested to the experts to build the track similar to the way his turban was tied. Thus the idea to build a looping track was suggested as a solution to the problem. After several years of construction, the track was finally commissioned in 1921 when the first train arrived at Demodara.
The Sri Lanka railway network, which began operating in 1864, comprises nine lines radiating from Colombo, the most beautiful of which runs deep into the hills, travelling via Kandy and Nuwara Eliya before terminating in Badulla.
The upcountry railway line is one of the most picturesque in the region, winding through tea estates, pine forests and misty peaks, passing along the way waterfalls and heart wrenching precipices. Adding to this natural beauty are the man-made engineering garlandsfound along the way. Many of these structures date back to the British era, when the track was originally built.
It was no mediocre task to build the upcountry railway track. The feat is still celebrated as one of the greatest achievements of the colonial engineers. Many were the challenges laid in the path of the designers and engineers, to negotiate through the treacherous central hills. The innovative remedies which these 19th century masters came up with are still considered engineering masterpieces. The railway line around the Horton Plains is one of those fabulous masterpieces, while the many tunnels and bridges which made the journey from Colombo to Badulla are works of genius, considering the limited resources and technology available in the late 19th century.
However nowhere was the challenge greater for the railway builders than at Demodara. Though the track had negotiated a more gruesome path through the dense forests and the steep mountains, at Demodara the surveyors discovered that the elevation of the hills was too great for the track to negotiate. With the maximum inclination allowed in railways at that time being one foot per 44 feet, an innovative track design had to be devised. Situated 172 miles from Colombo, Demodara has joined railway legend for its fascinating loop.
The railway loop at Demodara, is not difficult to visualise with a little bit of imagination. It is easily visible from the Demodara railway station, though a passenger on the train might not comprehend the actual engineering feat involved. First conceptualised by Sri Lankan engineer, D.J. Nimalasurendra the design is called “Looping the loop”. This involves a tunnel which actually runs beneath the Demodara railway station. On the track which exists, the tunnel winds around a mountain, continuously ascending to end up at a higher elevation on what was the mountain under which the tunnel is built. This enabled the engineers to take the railway track to a higher elevation as required for it to reach the height at which it can ascend to the Central Hills, while at the same time keeping to the gradient stipulated by the standards.
It is easy to imagine this stretch of railway at Demodra if one can visualise a ribbon that is worn for AIDS or Breast Cancer awareness. Similarly the track crosses itself, only at two elevations. The tunnel therefore, which is 320 metres long, is situated underneath the Demodara railway station.
The initial conceptualisation of the design is now railway legend. It is said when surveyors were in a conundrum to proceed beyond Demodara, a local farmer suggested to the experts to build the track similar to the way his turban was tied. Thus the idea to build a looping track was suggested as a solution to the problem. After several years of construction, the track was finally commissioned in 1921 when the first train arrived at Demodara.
The Demodara loop is the not the only railway attraction in the area. The magnificent Nine Arch Bridge between Ella and Demodara stations are just a few kilometres along the track from the station. This bridge which is nearly 100 years old has been built with blocks of stone and cement without any reinforcing iron or concrete. The tall arches take the bridge on a semi circular path to connect to mountains.
At both Ella and Demodara stations the equipment which was installed during its early days are still in function. Like gadgets from a toy shop, these levers and signalling equipment are in prime condition as they were 90 years ago. A good way to observe these fascinating treats along the upcountry railway is to break journey occasionally in places like Ella or Demodara and to either to take a bus for the rest of the journey or to catch a different train which traverses along the way.
Due to the poor maintenance of the upcountry railway line, the long term sustainability of these charming railway secrets is now in doubt. Hopefully with a little support from the relevant authorities the railway will resurrect itself to its former glory. Then engineering wonders like the Demodara loop and the Nine Arch Bridge will again take theirdue places in the hearts of enthusiastic travellers.
Source: Lanka Library