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A train compartment fit for a Queen soon to take its place at Railway museum
View(s):Queen Elizabeth II made two train journeys – one to Anuradhapura and the other to Kandy– during her second visit to Sri Lanka in 1981.
The compartment she rode in has been well preserved and it will soon take its place at the Railway museum coming up in Maradana.
The engine that was used on the trips still runs on a regular basis. The compartment is currently being touched up at the Ratmalana Yard.
The 40-foot compartment fit for a Queen had been specially put together at the Dematagoda Railway yard under the supervision of Raj Gopal as the compartment ordered from Romania for the Royal visit had not arrived on time, the Sunday Times learns.
The compartment comprised a bedroom, kitchen and fireplace operated with coal. The fittings had been imported from England.
A large chair, which has to be carried by at least four people if it needed to be shifted, was another feature especially thought of for the comfort of the Queen.
Lalith Ranjan Fonseka, chief supervisor who served the Railway department at the time of the Royal visit told the Sunday Times that the Queen’s first rail trip was to Anuradhapura and her train was accompanied by two other trains.
M.M. Abeydeera, a special grade driver at that time recalling the memorable trip, said, the train left the Fort station around 9 p.m. and maintained a speed of 20 miles an hour. The driver for the journey to Anuradhapura was the most senior driver at that time S.S. Martin.
However, the engine driver for the train journey to Kandy had been selected based on his skills and not on seniority recalled Mr. Abeydeera. He said selection was made based on a special driving test where a glass full of water was kept on a table and the drivers had to ensure that the water did not spill while coming down Kadugannawa hill.
The honour had fallen on S.F Ekanayaka who had passed the test.
The compartment which has been at the Ratmalana yard is gaining public interest after the passing away of the Queen and it will soon be an attraction when the Railway museum opens in Maradana.
Pix and text by
Rekha Tharangani Fonseka
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