Interesting, is it in service yet?
David.
The service apparently started last week.
Here are a couple of photos of the interior:
http://print.dailymirror.lk/business/127-local/57239-experiencing-airline-luxury-.html
and an article:
http://print.dailymirror.lk/life/132-life/57841.html
Hans
That is correct. For now it leaves Colombo in the morning (7AM) and returns from Kandy in the afternoon (3.30PM). No morning service from Kandy yet.
more details from http://www.exporail.lk/
The payment gateways are not up yet. But one cal call and book.
At that price I am sticking with second class, sitting in a doorway or holding somebody's baby, buying wadis and listening to the teenagers drumming on the walls. Will everyone be allowed to scream in the tunnels like they do on proper trains?
Seems that another luxury service from Colombo to Kandy was started last week.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/111009/BusinessTimes/bt11.html
Hans
Does anyone know whether this service is available during week days? Thanks
Yes it is. Daily from Colombo at 7AM and back at 3.30 PM from Kandy.
more info from http://www.exporail.lk
Just wanted to report that I took the luxury expo rail train from Colombo to Kandy a few days ago and it was brilliant. I prebooked it through a travel agent (Classic Travel) although I could have done it at the train station of course. It's the same train as the regular one, with a special car added (you will recognise it because it's a lighter color and the windows are sealed.) The seats are reserved and there are very nice young men serving as stewards on the train who look after your luggage, bring you refreshments and so on. The wifi didn't work very well, but then on the train I was busy looking at the scenery anyway. The "entertainment" on the Northern journey was a video of the Bee Gees live in concert, and the return was a video of "all stars of Sri Lankan music."
The train was about 70% full and the passengers looked to be mostly businessmen and some older families.
I had heard that you travel backwards - facing the rear but maybe that was in the old Observation car. Any ideas on the best seats? Thanks for any advice....
HI Ozdroggy: I answered your PM but will post here also. Yes, you travel forward going up but backwards coming back to Colombo. It didn't bother me in the least, but I am not that sensitive to movement.
When you buy the ticket you get a reserved seat. The configuration is 4 seats across with an aisle in between.