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Railway Restoration Progress
Progress of restoration of damaged sections on the Kandy railway line.
Primary Sources
92 of 97 cyclone-damaged sections of Kandy railway line restored ...
April 30, 2026 at 5:57 PM Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Guansena says renovation work has been completed at 92 of the 97 sections of the Kandy main railway line that were destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah. Following an inspection of the damaged line, the Deputy Minister noted that only five sites remain to be repaired. “These five locations are the worst affected, due to landslides, land subsidence, and broken tracks. It is difficult for the Railway Department alone to address this,” he said. Guansena added that contracts have been awarded for reconstruction at the five sites. He further expressed hope that train services on the Kandy line, from Colombo Fort via Kadugannawa and Peradeniya, will resume within the year as targeted by the Ministry of Transport. (Newswire) 2026-04-30
Steam (returning/being restored/being rebuilt) in 2024
I've had a very busy year this year, and that is why I haven't updated this thread as much as I normally try to. I had some time tonight, so I figured I'd do an update now (as there has been some big news/updates as of late.)[Also, I decided to include links to any of the organizations/railroads/tourist lines that could use donations to either help maintain their steam locomotive(s) or aid in the restoration of their steam locomotive(s). This is by no means an attempt to pressure anyone to donate. I'm just attempting to make it a little easier for anyone who would like to donate to any of these locomotives. If anyone knows a donation link for any of the locomotives that don't have one listed, please feel free to provide it.]Highlights from 2019- This is the biggest (literally and figuratively) news that has happened in steam preservation. Union Pacific 4884-1 class 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4014 returned to operation in time for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10th, 2019 (also marking the first time a Big Boy has moved under his own power in ~60 years), and he then toured the Upper Midwest and the Southwest. #4014 toured the Lower and Central Midwest in 2021. It was awesome to see "The King" in action! “THE KING OF STEAM” HAS RETURNED!- While not an operational restoration, the Age of Steam Roundhouse achieved what many considered almost impossible and acquired Bessemer & Lake Erie H-1g class 2-10-4 #643. The locomotive is being moved to the roundhouse, and the locomotive will be cosmetically restored.- Norfolk & Western M class 4-8-0 #475 started, and finished, her 1472 SDI. She returned to service in fall 2019, and N&W J class 4-8-4 #611 joined in the festivities of #475 coming out of her 1472 SDI. Nicely done, Strasburg! [Thanks Kelly Anderson] {Side note: In 2022, #475 had a little run-in with some ROW equipment and had her smokebox door damaged. Fortunately, she wasn't down for long, the door was repaired, and there was not any more pressing damage.}- White Pass & Yukon 70 class 2-8-2 #73 was successfully restored back to operation and made multiple successful runs. Congratulations, WP&Y! I'm glad she's up and running again.- Middle Fork 3-truck Climax #9 had her restoration completed and was operational in 2019. She has joined Cass' numerous Shays and Heisler. Way to go, Cass & D&GVR!- Duluth & Northeastern {Duluth Missabe & Northern} C-3 class 2-8-0 #28 returned to service again after having some extensive runn...
Following damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the train services to ...
According to the deputy minister, ninety seven major damaged locations were ... line from Colombo Fort to Badulla via Kandy, particularly between Colombo and ...
Following damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the train services to ...
According to the deputy minister, ninety seven major damaged locations were identified along the main railway line from Colombo Fort to Badulla via Kandy, ...
