Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Mettapalayam to Ooty via Coonor - Tamil Nadu State

Steam locomotive ready at 7:10 am to haul the train of 4 passenger coaches up the steepest railway in India to Coonor where a diesel takes over for the final leg to Ooty. Total journey time 5 hours. There are no facilities on the train itself which is incredibly cramped even in "First Class" but the train stops for long pauses at various stations where there are toilets and food.

Most of the journey is through untouched forest on the steepest slopes but then the line levels out above Coonor and there are tea plantations and other agriculture at the higher elevation.

The line is subject to frequent rock falls and needs repairing all the time. The guards still use red and green flags to get past the work gangs.

An incredible engineering feat through wonderful scenery the railway at times is just perched on the side of a sheer drop. Unforgettable