Observation coaches cause 80% of derailments in upcountry

31 January 2024 11:46 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, Jan 31 (Daily Mirror) - Due to possible derailments of 55-seater train observation coaches, the Railways Department has advised removing 2 out of 4 compartments from operation in the upcountry with immediate effect, Railways General Manager H.M.K.W. Bandara said.

He told the Daily Mirror that the decision was taken due to the sharpness of the bends on upcountry railway lines.

The GMR said that 80% of the train derailments on the upcountry railway lines were observation coaches.

Therefore, he recommended assigning 45-seater train observation coaches to operate on upcountry railway lines.

Two 55-seater train observation coaches have already been modified, and another two are still under modification.

He also said that instructions have been given to modify the 55-seater train observation coaches to 45-seater train observation coaches immediately. Accordingly, the new compartments will come into operation by next week.

Comments - 14

Ram Thursday, 01 February 2024 03:33 AM

How these coaches can be responsible for the accidents have not been explained. Is it that all the passengers move to one side of the train at the wrong time to view the scenery?

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Dee Thursday, 01 February 2024 03:56 PM

You clearly don’t know the dynamics of the railways system. It is not a simple set of wheels and axels being pushed on two pieces of steel.

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Coaches jumping from railway tracks? Thursday, 01 February 2024 07:11 AM

Observation coaches are in service for several decades. It is strange they started to jump from rails these days! Is it the coaches or rail tracks that need attention?

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D P P Prasad Thursday, 01 February 2024 08:46 AM

The main issue of the derailment is the low quality sleepers. For a considerable period the railway department used concrete sleepers instead of the wooden sleepers. The wooden sleepers have an ability to absorb and control the vibration being caused by the moving trains rather than the concrete sleepers specially in the hill country the department of railway can easily find the wooden sleepers.Furthermore number of eucalyptus plantations which are belonging to the forest department are located in the upcountry areas where the CGR can obtain the wooden sleepers hassle free in collaboration with the forest department

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Sokrates Thursday, 01 February 2024 09:08 AM

A long time ago, in the early 2000s, I occasionally enjoyed traveling from Colombo to Nanu Oya in an observation coach. The rocking corresponded to a ship in heavy seas. Reading was out of the question, eating was a difficult undertaking and my wine glass and bottle had to be secured. Later I occasionally traveled in private first class carriages, which was much better. Unfortunately, these carriages from private companies no longer exist. Things can only have gotten worse since then.

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M Fernando Friday, 02 February 2024 08:05 AM

Shaaa!!. You drink wine ?? You must be real radala person ! I am so envious

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Steve Thursday, 01 February 2024 09:08 AM

If the 55 seater was the problem why were they operated in the first place. Do a feasibility and then decide on how to go ahead. .

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Spartacus Thursday, 01 February 2024 09:47 AM

Super, only after 70y we Sinhalese discovered this fact and corrected it whereas the Sudda implemented, installed and operated all this smoothly for decades.

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Tissa Fernando Thursday, 01 February 2024 10:34 AM

Made in India. Ranil loves India.

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Nimal Thursday, 01 February 2024 12:03 PM

These coaches were made in Rumania and have been giving commendable service for several decades. Several years ago, the observation salon of the Udarata Menike was derailed between Alawwa and Ambepussa, if my memory serves me right. Incidentally, the CGR is now taking derailments in its stride, as though it was normal and without any fuss or bother.

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BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 01 February 2024 01:27 PM

You are type who will use a first name from India and second name from Portugal. After that, you will travel only on three wheelers introduced and manufactured from India because you don't have money to go in a Mercedes from Germany. Stop climbing trees because your tail is showing.

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NV Jen Thursday, 01 February 2024 03:27 PM

What scientific reason for a 55 seater coach to get derailed, while the 45 seater will not? Is the length of the coach being reduced to negotiate sharp bends? We have dimwit politicians and officials everywhere. No wonder country is going on a reverse gear since independence.

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raj Soma Thursday, 01 February 2024 07:48 PM

OMG, what as 55 or 45 seating capacity got to do with derailments? No wonder we are not developing country when you have people of this caliber running the Railway dept..According to this statement , places like in Bangladesh, India where people hang on trains from all parts during rush hours should be getting derailed everyday. The Manager H.M.K.W. Bandara , is he a political appointee or qualified person to this Job? He points out Sharpe bends a cause , My understanding , this guy is not Qualified for this Job.

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Amaran Friday, 02 February 2024 02:33 AM

@ Raj Soma - You are spot on. The derailments were caused by the poor trail track with SLIPPERS. RAILWAYS is unable to identify the cause in the first place.

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