Matale line

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Matale line
Overview
Status	Functioning
Owner	Sri Lanka Railways
Locale	Sri Lanka
Termini	Peradeniya Junction Matale
Stations	20 stations
Website	www.railway.gov.lk
Service
Type	Regional rail
System	Sri Lanka Railways
Operator(s)	Sri Lanka Railways
Technical
Line length	33.8 km (21.0 mi)
Number of tracks	Single track: Peradeniya Junction to Matale
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Electrification	No
Route map v t e Matale Line Legend Matale Sudu Ganga Kohombiliwala Elwala Thawalankoya Ukuwela Udathalawa Marukona Pattanpaha Yatawara Wattegama Yatirawana Meegammana Uda Thalawinna Palle Thalawinna Katugastota Mahaweli River Mawilmada Katugastota Road Mahaiyawa Asgiriya Kandy Suduhumpola Randles Hill Rajawatte Sarasavi Uyana Mahaweli River Peradeniya Junction Main Line to Badulla Main Line to Colombo Fort

Inaugurated in 1880, the Matale line (sometimes referred to as the Kandy line) is a branch railway line in Sri Lanka. Operated by Sri Lanka Railways, the line includes some of the busiest rail services in the country.^[1]

The 28.2 km (17.5 mi) route was surveyed between 1875 and 1877. In May 1878 the contract to construct the rail line was issued to David Reid for Rs. 1,782,408.^[2] The total estimated cost of the Matale extension amounted to Rs. 3,300,000, being a rate of Rs. 189,247 per mile. The line was opened for traffic on 4 October 1880 by the Governor, Sir James Longden, eight months earlier than the contract date, for which Reid was given a Rs. 35,000 bonus.^[3]

The Matale line begins at Peradeniya Junction and runs east towards Kandy Railway Station. It then turns north and runs through Katugastota and Wattegama before reaching the Matale District. It passes through Ukuwela before terminating at the Matale Railway Station.

The Matale line has a gauge of 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge. The line is not electrified. Regular services run on diesel power.