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.
PAWAN KOPPA is an IT professional
who is a full-time techie on weekdays while transforming into a railway fanatic
on weekends. Most of his time has been spent in railway photography/
videography ever since he was associated with the IRFCA in May 2005.
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.
A view of the sidings at
Mettupalayam for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The ones for broad gauge are on
the right. The NMR track is 1000 mm (3 ft and 3 3/8 inches) wide.
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 as we stop at our first halt -
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.
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.
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.
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.
Are you in love with trains?
Discover the thrill of railfanning at the Indian Railways Fan Club.
You may also enjoy:
Monsoon Magic: A railway trek to
Dudhsagar Falls
We are all set to leave Lovedale and
head all the way to Ooty! What a treat of a lifetime it was!
PAWAN KOPPA is an IT professional
who is a full-time techie on weekdays while transforming into a railway fanatic
on weekends. Most of his time has been spent in railway photography/
videography ever since he was associated with the IRFCA in May 2005.
...
537, Varghese Plaza,
1st Floor, Vetturnimadam,
Nagercoil.
04652-224337, 9500946904
anitpromoters@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment