Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Mettupalayam

Route

Mettupalayam to Ooty

Length

About 46 km

Journey time

About 4.5 hours uphill

Opened to Ooty

1908

Status

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nearest airport

Coimbatore (about 36 km from Mettupalayam)

Best time

April to June; September to November

The route

From Mettupalayam the line uses a rack-and-pinion system, with a toothed rail gripping the engine, to climb the steepest section up to Coonoor. From Coonoor to Ooty the train runs by normal adhesion. Along the way it passes more than a dozen tunnels and many stone bridges, and stops briefly at a few stations for water. The main stations are:

• Mettupalayam (starting point)
• Kallar
• Hillgrove (refreshment halt)
• Coonoor
• Wellington
• Aravankadu
• Ketti
• Lovedale
• Udhagamandalam (Ooty)

What you see

The first stretch winds through thick forest with deep valleys below, and during and after the monsoon, streams and waterfalls run beside the track. Above Coonoor the view opens out into tea gardens, eucalyptus groves and rolling green slopes, and on cool mornings cloud often drifts past the windows. The blue-and-cream coaches and old station buildings add to the charm.

Best time and tickets

April to June has clear, pleasant weather but the heaviest demand, and September to November is green after the rains. Book as early as possible through Indian Railways, online or at stations. A regular daily service runs each way between Mettupalayam and Ooty, with extra trains between Coonoor and Ooty and more in peak season. Seats on the uphill morning train from Mettupalayam are the most sought after.

How to reach Mettupalayam

Mettupalayam is connected by train from Coimbatore and by the overnight Nilgiri Express from Chennai, timed to meet the morning toy train. Coimbatore International Airport is about 36 km away. Many travellers ride up by train and return by road. We can book the train and arrange a car to meet you at Ooty or Coonoor.

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