Summary

The web content describes a picturesque and nostalgic toy train journey through the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering breathtaking views of the Nilgiris' hills and dales.

Abstract

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) is celebrated as one of three Indian hill railways recognized by UNESCO, alongside the Kalka–Shimla Railway and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The article recounts a memorable journey aboard the NMR, which begins at Mettupalayam and culminates in Udagamandalam (Ooty), traversing 26 km with 208 curves, 16 tunnels, and 250 bridges. The narrative captures the author's awe at the historical Coonoor station, the transition from steam to diesel locomotive, and the enchanting landscapes of tea gardens, forests, and valleys. The toy train, equipped with a rack and pinion system, navigates the steep gradient, offering passengers a surreal experience reminiscent of childhood wonder, as exemplified by the author's reference to the "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends" series. The journey is not just a mode of transport but a timeless adventure that leaves passengers in awe of the engineering marvel and the natural splendor of the region.

Opinions

The author expresses a profound sense of wonder and nostalgia, likening the toy train's arrival to Julius Caesar's triumphant declaration of "Veni Vidi Vici."
The experience is described as surreal and heavenly, with the misty, picturesque Coonoor railway station evoking a sense of history and beauty.
The author cherishes the opportunity to ride the UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site, considering it a blessed and memorable experience.
The journey is punctuated by delightful moments, such as savoring local delicacies, the transition from steam to diesel locomotive, and the collective cheers upon entering or exiting tunnels.
The author emphasizes the toy train's role in bringing to life the charm of the popular children's series "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends," enhancing the magical quality of the journey.
The scenic beauty of the Nilgiris, with its tea estates, eucalyptus trees, and rolling hills, is portrayed as captivating and awe-inspiring, leaving a lasting impression on the traveler.

TRAVEL, PHOTOGRAPHY, INCREDIBLE INDIA

A Surreal Toy Train Joyride through the Hills and Dales of Nilgiris

Toy Train Journey- Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Waiting with pride at the Coonoor Railway Station just after the mist cover got clear followed by a drizzle Image credit: Author

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) is one among the three Indian railways which are recognized by UNESCO as “outstanding examples of hill railways”.

The other two are the Kalka–Shimla Railway connecting Raj’s summer residency at Shimla with Delhi and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway running between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal.

Mist-enveloped Coonoor station Image credit: Author

Though the project was proposed in 1854, the Nilgiri Railway Company constructed the railway from 1886 to 1899 and it became operational in 1899 connecting Mettupalayam to Coonoor. In 1903, the government purchased it and it was in 1908 that the line was extended till Udagamandalam.

The dramatic entry

Veni Vidi Vici! (the Latin phrase meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered”) — -that’s what Julius Caesar whooped after winning a battle in Turkey (erstwhile Asia Minor). And that’s what the dramatic blue-colored chugging and whistling train wrapped in mist, steam, and smoke emerged and whispered into my ears before it came to a halt with a hiss!

I was crooning “Aye Zindagi Gale Laga Le” (O Life, Embrace Me) from the iconic 1983 Kamal Hassan-Sridevi starrer “Sadma” extensively shot in Ooty and Ketti valley.

The entrance of the Coonoor railway station seems straight out of the British era Image credit: Author

Awestruck by the signature whistling, steam, and the rustic wooden coaches with elongated windows, the entire picturesque railway station of Coonoor, straight out of the British era, got enveloped in mist and slight drizzle. It was no less than heaven, I swear!!

The train comprises six coaches including the first-class and general class compartments. The tickets are to be booked in advance on the IRCTC website as the train runs full.

The Southern Railways has two daily railway services from Coonoor to Ooty — — the 56136 Mettupalayam to Udagamandalam (Ooty) train and the 56138 Coonoor to Udagamandalam (Ooty) train.

From Mettupalayam, it takes four hours and 50 minutes to cover a distance of 26 km and passes through 208 curves, 16 tunnels, and 250 bridges to reach Udhagamandalam.

Posing from the dramatic elongated windows of the blue-colored Nilgiri Mountain Railway at Coonoor station Image credit: Author

Oil furnace-powered by steam locomotive followed by diesel engine

As we had much time in hand for the journey, we savored some piping hot delectable onion samosas and famous filter coffee while we could witness steam loco being replaced by diesel engine for the last leg of the journey from Coonoor to Ooty.

The otherwise quaint Coonoor station gained momentum after the toy train billowing smoke had arrived Image credit: Author

Built by the Britishers, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) is a single-line railway service and is a noteworthy example of the stupendous engineering marvel achieved in midst of the rugged mountainous terrain.

This is the only rack railway in India. Laying the railway track was not an easy job because of the steep gradient and did engage brilliant minds behind its designing and development.

With the rack and pinion system, the train begins its ascent through bridges and dark, winding tunnels taking you physically to the next level of a memorable travel experience.

A glimpse of Wellington ground from the toy train Image credit: Author

The Joyride

Looking forward to an exhilarating joyride on the toy train, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, we were feeling blessed for the wonderful opportunity we got. There was a whiff of eucalyptus and pine topped with the aromatic filter coffee and fresh onion samosas hanging in the much cooler air.

We boarded the 56138 Coonoor to Ooty train around 4 pm, which would cover 19 km in one hour and 15 minutes offering the most spectacular scenery along its way.

Glazing the mist-drenched tea leaves of the sprawling tea gardens, the early evening lazy autumn sunrays in the hills managed to drip through the yellow-green leaves of tall eucalyptus trees but it was in a hurry to kiss goodbye for the day.

The scattered smoke seen billowing out from some houses of the valley attributed more beauty to the landscape.

Surreal landscapes

The slow and memorable journey gave us ample opportunity to discover nature’s bounties. I was transported back to my living room relishing the popular cartoon series, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends with my toddler son. I ‘literally’ became Thomas, the tank engine! Located in Sodor, an imaginary island, Thomas, a tank engine, and his friends used to face exciting adventures.

Son trying to click the child in me! Image credit: Author’s son

The train connects Coonoor to Ooty after passing through beautiful Wellington, Aravankaadu, Ketti, and Lovedale stations. Each time we entered or emerged from a tunnel, passengers on board cheered loudly.

And each time lush green tea estates, thick forests, tall eucalyptus trees, and lofty mountains showed up, striking a series of poses amidst the greenery, there are collective sighs all around while the toy train traversed through beautiful valleys, serene lakes, and rolling hills.

Panoramic sights to behold

The toy train twisted through deep valleys, thick forests with dense greenery, and by leafy walls covered in yellow, red, and orange wildflowers that are so close, you would feel like plucking them. With possibly every curve, neatly trimmed green patches of tea plantations with towering silver oak trees took over.

A scenic view from the train Image credit: Author

With varied hues of green and amber, the scenic landscape tempted each one of us to step down and get soaked in the beauty of nature.

There are garden chairs for passengers to sit and stare aimlessly in every station we passed by. Railings were erected to mark the forest boundary.

Garden chair for the passengers Image credit: Author

Meandering through tunnels and covering the bridges the journey trailed us back in time, along with the stunning views at every single twist and turn, the mountain railway joyride made our trip a spectacular one. We got delighted when we could locate our resort at Lovedale from the train.

We could also see Ooty Lake, Thunder World Dynosaur Park passing by. We reached our destination, Ooty station at 5.10 pm, gleeful, grateful to the Almighty, and contented with sparkles in eyes — -truly, a surreal experience for a lifetime etched in memory forever!!!

After reaching Ooty railway station Image credit: Author@

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