Built by the British in 1908 and operated by the then Madras Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The railway operates from Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district to Ooty, the headquarters of the Nilgiris district, and covers a distance of 46 kilometres, making 10 station stops in all. The railway has the steepest track in Asia with a maximum gradient of 8.33%. The railway operates on the rack-and-pinion system, designed by Swiss locomotive engineer Roman Abt. From Mettupalayam, the train is hauled by Swiss-made 'X' Class steam rack locomotives. At Coonoor, a diesel locomotive takes over and pulls the train into Ooty. PAWAN KOPPA, a railfanner and a member of the Indian Railways Fan Club, recounts a memorable journey on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
On a cold morning, a crowd of people rush to board the 662SR Mettupalayam-Udhagamandalam (Nilagiri) Passenger.
The 'X' Class steam Rack Locomotive arrives from its shed to take charge of the 662SR up to Coonoor while a signboard welcomes passengers to the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
The 'X' class loco arrives on the platform before being coupled to the rake.
Curious onlookers try to figure out the working of the X class loco as it is coupled to the Nilagiri Passenger.
The dinky steam loco puffs up steam at Mettupalayam station.
All coupled, the loco is set to push the train up the tough gradient of the Nilgiris.
Early morning rays do not diminish the wonder generated by three steam outlets - Kallar.
At Kallar, a board welcomes passengers to the dense forest at the beginning of the NMR. It is here that the rack-and-pinion system begins.
The NMR departs from Kallar and chugs up the mighty hills.
A close-up of the rack-and-pinion system, which holds the rake against slippages on the steep gradients.
An unexpected midway halt brings curious passengers out of their seats. A rack had broken up ahead on the way and the gangmen had noticed it late the previous evening. They were well prepared this morning and went ahead and replaced the faulty rack.
Cameras click all around us as every tourist becomes a railfan on this wonderful and memorable journey. There are 108 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges on the 46-km stretch of the NMR.
This cute little engine needs a lot of water in its belly. At Hillgrove, the steam loco gets a water fill while passengers also stop for refreshments.
Famished passengers people nearly attacked the vendor of the small shop at Hillgrove. All for a cup of Nilgiri tea in the heart of the mountains to complete a picture of heaven!
The loco takes a breather at Hillgrove.
At 1408 m above sea level, the mountain air inspired passengers to get out at every opportunity.
Take one look at the breathtaking beauty of the terrains that this train navigates and it's clear why the NMR truly deserves to be a World Heritage Site!
As the NMR negotiates a bridge, trigger-happy passengers capture the view.
At Coonoor, it's time for change. Two generations of locomotives flank each other. After a fantastic job pushing up the gradient, the 'x' Class moves away while a workhorse of an era gone by steps in to push the passenger train from Coonoor to Udhagamandalam.
The steam loco shed at Coonoor.
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