Sri Lanka-5

86 These days only about 1% of goods are transported by rail. 87 Mr Yonekar has made sure for the past 33 years that everything runs smoothly. 88 I'm the senior conductor on the train during the whole trip, which makes me responsible for the lives of the passengers, and for the railway property, for everything that happens on the way. 89 A token is just being handed over. It's in this brass ring covered in leather. It ensures safety on this single-track route. And has done since 1901. 90 When I pass on the token, the train driver has the permission to pass on to the next station. I have to ring four times to get this taken, and that's how they know at the next station that a train is coming. They ring four times in response, and lock their token. That unlocks my token. I can get it out and give it to the next train, which can then travel safely to the next station. 90a The token is unlocked, and given to the train driver on the next train 91 Unfortunately there are no longer any trains tracks from Nanu Oya station to the famous hill-station of Nuwara-Elia. The writer Hermann Hesse of Steppenwolf fame had an enjoyable stay here in 1911. It's pleasantly fresh, at a height of 1900 meters. 92 The British called the small town Little England. And indeed, we can picture Miss Marple posting a letter here. Time seems to have to have stood still since 1876 in the time-honoured Hill Club. In those days the plantation owners relaxed here, over a game of billiards. 93 The laundry might be drying there today, but in those days that's where the colonial rulers watched horse races. Everything was to be like a home away from home. It's rare for horse races to take place here these days. Things follow a slower place on the race track these days. 94 Another relic from the British period: Sri Lanka's most sophisticated golf club. 95 Actually, this was started by the old British planters, and the they kept on looking after it very well, like, it was not mainly for commercial activity, [it was] maintained like a members' club. Because it was maintained like a members' club, it was not so commercially oriented, people started loving this place. 96 So it's more than the tourists. It's actually the members, who used to come to the pavilion; and also to play golf. That's how it's survival. I mean. And also the people around this place. They started loving this place. 97 Visitors need temporary club membership to play the 18-hole course. The club has shaped the life of Sri Lanka's highest town for the past 125 years. Entire families used to live here. Even children were born on club premises. 98 Many white gentlemen lived on the plantations back then. They came here to pass their time. When I was between ten and fifteen I worked for them as a caddy and was allowed to play too. That's how I started. In 1971, I became free golf champion of Sri Lanka. 99 We're back at Nanu Oya station. We listen to the music of Clarence Wiewardena the Sri Lankan King of Pop'. Now long dead. 100 A change of vehicle. We participate in an an inspection, on a trolley. Of course the token is a must on this trip, too. Maintaining the railway is quite elaborate work in Sri Lanka. Particularly up here, in the mountains. 101 I generally help the senior staff in their monitoring work. The trolley is used for maintenance. And if there's been a derailment or a landslide, it takes railway staff to the scene. 101a The heavy rainfall during the wet season causes a lot of damage to the track. Then, it has to be fixed. 101b (instrument panel) 101c (trolley shot) 102 We visit a British manor house at a slightly higher altitude. St. Benedict's. Father Michael has run it for 22 years. 103 He runs the school for the novices, and takes care of the property too. 103a The fruit being chopped up here, ready to make jam, is called an elephant apple, or wood apple. 104 We started this jam industry for the maintenance of the house; in the beginning we started with the marmalade, and strawberry jam; and guava jelly. So these three varieties we started in the beginning; but later we developed into different other items; and still we are continuing what we started in the beginning. 105 For almost 50 years now, a long-standing tradition... Lunch is being prepared at the same time. The fruits are also being used as medicine before they ripen. Sixty-year-old Chandra is a master of his field. He has stirred and stirred and stirred - ever since he was thirteen. 106 If I take the jam off the fire at the right time, it will last for years. You can keep it for up to six years. There's a demand for it - despite the large quantity I make, there's nothing left over. 107 It's the jam's consistency that determines the right time. 107a Here, too, everything's done by hand... Chandra produces up to a thousand jars every season. 108 The train heads into the mountains on the Mainline twice a day. Unfortunately, the weather's becoming increasingly British. 109 The total length of Sri Lanka's rail network is around 1500 kilometers. The gauge is wider than the regular standard gauge. 110 It's a broad gauge railway 1676 millimeters in gauge Or 5 feet 6 inches in feet and inches. It is known as a broad gauge railway. Because the ideal situation for transport of goods is the broadest gauge. Because they can bring more load. So the Britishers laid broad gauge here in Ceylon, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. 110a It's ideal for transporting tea 111 The token is ready; the next station is Pattipola. At 1891 meters, it's Sri Lanka's highest station. Time has a different dimension up here. 112 The employees have to expect a number of difficulties up here. Roads can wash away. It can rain. Sometimes we have dew or frost in the morning. So our animals get in the way of the train. Such as the Sri Lankan tiger or wild boar or deer. They can cause problems. 112a We haven't seen any animals. And it's no surprise in this weather. But at last we reach the highlight of our trip. Quite literally. 112b 1898.1 meters here at the railway summit in Pattipola. 113 Which is supposed to be a Guinness World of Records: It is given John Marshall's book, of Guinness World of Records: Facts and Feats of Railways, it is given as as the highest point reached on a broad-gauge railway. 113a It's also quite inhospitable 114 We're 224 kilometers from Colombo now. 114a The further away we are from the island's capital, the fewer passengers there are on the train. 114b Towards the afternoon, our limbs become tired. 115 We notice the altitude. We deserve a bit of a relaxation. 116 The region around Ella is known for its spa facilities. 116a The hard-working tea pickers can only dream of visiting them. 117 You have to bring some time with you when you come here. A relaxing Ayurveda massage takes 80 minutes. 118 It's a special massage. All 107 vital spots are treated. That improves blood flow - which influences the organs. It gives you a lot of energy. 119 The Indian art of healing has a long-standing tradition on Sri Lanka, too. The wholistic approach of Ayurveda and a calming views of nature. 120 The steam bath with healing herbs is also good for relaxation. It reduces cholesterol levels, cuts weight and cleanses the skin It's paradise. 121 We are completely relaxed on our final leg to Ella. This stretch is definitely one of the most attractive in the whole of Asia. That's why it's best to think about its future. 122 Mainline should continue as a heritage railway and it [should] be handed over to the UNESCO for conversion as a heritage railway and then again, as a tourist railway. I never say ... I don't say ... that it should be stopped for the local passengers. 123 Local passenger service should be maintained. But whereas...for tourism, they must develop this area, further. 124 A good idea. Because that would secure the continued existence of the Mainline. Allowing travelers from all over to discover a new world in just nine hours.