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Sri Lanka to build a train launch pad 

22 Feb 2021

The State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities, and Boats and Shipping Industry Development is currently discussing the construction of a Sri Lankan Train Launch Pad, The Morning Business learns.  Media Secretary Rohana Warnakulasooriya reported that previously there were discussions going on regarding construction of a boat launch pad. However, although the approval for the construction was granted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the project is yet to be confirmed.  “The focus of this Boat Launch Pad project has shifted to a Train Launching Pad as this is the most advanced type of launching pads in the world. The Ministry aims to match international standards, therefore there are discussions currently regarding a modern Train Launch Pad,” Warnakulasooriya commented.  Details such as the estimated cost, approval from Parliament, and when this project will be completed, were not revealed, as final decisions have not been made yet. In comparison to this, the approximate cost of the previous project, the Boat Launch Pad, totalled Rs. 100 million.  As Sri Lanka has launching pads only inside its fisheries harbors, the absence of a launching pad outside a harbour has long been a challenge to Sri Lanka’s boatbuilding industry, as most times, fishing boats are given priority over other vessels to use the launching pad. Upon the construction of the launching pad, vessels manufactured for export purposes would be given priority, the State Minister noted last year, regarding the construction of the Boat Launch Pad.  A launch pad for trains comprises a flat surface having an area suitable for the receipt of helicopter skids, structural members connecting the flat surface to the frame of the railroad car, and a ladder extending from the flat surface and connected to the frame of the railroad car.  The railroad car is a transfer for a unit train having a conveyor system. The flat surface is positioned above the conveyor system on the railroad car. An extensible portion of this flat surface increases the area of the flat surface.  This invention was developed to improve the efficiency of manpower usage in connection with the self-unloading train, described herein previously. In the invention, the transfer car of the self-unloading train is equipped with an elevated helicopter platform.  By having an elevated platform 12-14 feet above the track surface and the blades another eight feet above the platform, the helicopter's main rotor blades will be above the clearance line of any possible train on an adjacent track.  The cost of operating the helicopter may be in the order of $ 300-400 per hour. Such a system may require an hour to change crews. However, in the case of the self-unloading train, described herein previously, an extra trip in a shift could easily be worth $ 1,000 or more for a 3:1 payoff ratio.


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