Railcars of Ceylon: A Journey Through Sri Lanka’s Railway Heritage-Rasika Wickramanayaka
This book is the culmination of six years of extensive research into the Railcars of Ceylon/Sri Lanka. It explores the origins and rationale behind the introduction of railcars to Ceylon, their peak years of operation, and the factors that contributed to their eventual decline.
Beyond railcars, the book also examines Colombo Tramways, Railway Motor Trolleys, Railbuses, and related forms of rail-based transport.
Presented as a hardback with a dust jacket, the book spans 404 pages and includes 134 plates, 40 figures, detailed timetables, technical drawings of all Railcars, Motor Trolleys, and Tramcars, as well as maps and key technical specifications.
Book Details
Title: Railcars of Ceylon
Author: Rasika Wickramanayaka
ISBN: 978-624-97577-1-4
Height: 244 mm
Width: 203 mm
Page Count: 404
Plates: 134 (88 black and white, 46 colour)
Timetables: 1932, 1937, 1956, 1964, 1972, 1974
Figures: 40
Published by: The Author
Price: LKR 12,000 / USD 50 / GBP 38
The above prices do not include postage/delivery charges.
Summary of the Table of Contents
Chapters
- An Introduction to the Railways of Sri Lanka and its Railcars
- Introduction to the Railcars
- The Story of Railcars of Ceylon
- Railcar Conversions and Restorations
- Other topics
Appendices
- Railcar Manufacturers
- Technical Details of the Railcars
- Tables
- Drawings of the Railcars and other vehicles
- Timetables and Observations
- Railcar Factory Plates
- Maps
- Miscellaneous Technical Details
- Content-related plates
About the Author
Rasika Wickramanayaka published his first book, Narrow Gauge Railways of Ceylon, in 2021. The work quickly gained wide recognition and became the definitive reference on the country’s narrow-gauge railway system, widely used by enthusiasts, heritage railway societies, and universities worldwide.
In 2024, he authored a Sinhala-language volume on the Sabaragamuwa Railway.
This publication marks his third contribution to the documentation of Sri Lanka’s railway heritage—and the first comprehensive study dedicated to the Railcars of Ceylon. In addition to railcars, the book extends its scope to cover motor trolleys, tramcars, trolleybuses, and railbuses, offering a broad and meticulously researched perspective on this significant chapter of transport history.
Professionally, Rasika is a Chartered Architect and a Certified Project Manager.
Contact the Author
Email: rasikabookz@gmail.com
Telephone: +94716855228
(WhatsApp messenger) for purchasing and shipping details.
