All working turn tables in Sri Lanka Railways are operated manually. They are used to turn some of rolling stock and non dual cab locomotives. The turntable at Pallai has recently been returned to use
This picture reminds me my boyhood. We used to live in Noakhali in 1952. It was a remote southern district of Bangladesh. Sonapur was the last railway station of Noakhali.There I saw the same operation of turning railway engine by two man.We boys used to enjoy this.
This is why India is still a developing country, WHEREVER THE MACHINES REQUIRED ,WE PUT PEOPLE, WHEREVER PEOPLE REQUIRED, WE PUT MACHINES.
In ancient time Railway Department used this turn table for changing the direction of Locomotives, specially steam locomotives. In my childhood I enjoyed that type of scene several times, which are unforgettable.
Not as difficult as it looks. Turntables are designed so that virtually all the weight of the loco is on the centre spindle. If the loco is balanced/centred properly and the centre pivot is well lubricated, a turntable this size shouldn’t be that hard to spin. Starting the rotation is the hardest bit.
