Celebrating the ‘Viceroy Special’

Anguru  kaka vatura bibi – Kolamba duwana yakada yaka – this is how the trains using the steam engine was identified in the good old days. It was “the iron devil rushing to Colombo eating coal and drinking water”. While the engine driver was in charge of the operation, his assistant was busy ensuring that the fireplace had enough stuff to keep the ‘yakadayaka’ going. 

In the long history of Sri Lanka Railway dating back to the 1860s, at least one train using a steam engine is still in operation. It is the ‘Viceroy Special’ regularly used by foreign tourists. While the engines had been manufactured in the 1920s, the ‘Special’ has been fitted with modern conveniences to make the trip a comfortable and nostalgic one. 

Recognition of this unique ‘Special’ came in the form of a set of stamps on 2 January 2011 to mark its 25th anniversary. The stamps featured five steam engines: The Rs. 45 stamp featured the train with the 251 B 1A engine manufactured by Bayer Peacock Co, UK in 1928. The others of the Rs. 5 denomination featured (left to right on the First Day Cover) 240 B 8C – Hunslet Co, UK (1927), 213 B 2B – Vulcan Foundry Co, UK (1922), 231 V2 – Sentinel Camel Co, UK (1928) & 220 J1 – Hunslet Co, UK (1924). 

‘The ‘Viceroy Special’ was introduced in 1986 and was the brainchild of two persons – one from the United Kingdom and the other from Sri Lanka. The recorded names are Cliff Jones of UK and Hemasiri Fernando of JF Tours & Travels. 

The name ‘Viceroy Special’ has been inspired by the regular train visits made by Viscount Lord Louis Mountbatten when he was in Sri Lanka during World War II. The last Viceroy of India he was Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the South East Asian Command (SEAC) during World War II who had his headquarters at Peradeniya in the premises of the present university campus. He is supposed to have used a special train called the SEAC Special to travel.

The train has two air-conditioned observation saloons and 64 plush reclining seats and individual adjustable tables. Trained qualified guides describe the landscape throughout the journey. It is one of the most beautiful and fascinating rail trips through Sri Lanka’s hill country. According to Sri Lanka Railways, the restaurant is elegantly furnished with Edwardian ribbed fans and teak-trimmed wood panelling and it has a fully-equipped kitchen and bar. 

Meanwhile, according to Sri Lanka Railways, a Special Service mainly for tourists is provided with private sector participation, in the form a special coach to intercity and other express trains. The air-conditioned coach has comfortable seats with TV and Wi-Fi. Catering is also done.