Latest S14 train makes its maiden run to Aluthgama

The new power locomotive train S14 imported from China undertook its maiden run from Ratmalana to Aluthgama today (Sept 03).

This train valued at Rs. 1,845 million and reportedly fitted with some of the latest technological facilities is the most modern train to join the country’s railway transport, Sri Lanka Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said.  

The General Manager said that nine such trains are scheduled to be imported to Sri Lanka an added that the S14 would be added to the fleet of up-country trains.

He also added that the S14 train was purchased from a loan obtained from two private banks in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Fernando further stated that they expect to provide Sri Lankan commuters with the facilities enjoyed by rail commuters elsewhere in the world and added that new facilities would be added to the existing fleet of trains as well.

The train is fitted with automatic seats, a computerized system with details of the journey, toilet facilities for disabled commuters, CCTV cameras recording the journey from the front of the engine, air-conditioned compartments, special places for wheelchairs of the disabled and updated TV screens.

While stating that there are special doors for the disabled to board the trains while seated on their wheelchairs.

A team of Chinese technicians, chief engineer of the Dematagoda power locomotive sub-department K.G.S. Bandara, Deputy Chief Engineer Nishantha Perera from the Ratmalana sub-department of the chief technical engineer and a group of railway employees were on board the train on its maiden journey.

( Rekha Tharanganee Fonseka from Moratuwa)