Nilgiris Mountain Railway marks 122 years of service
The Nilgiris: The Nilgiris Mountain Railway (NMR) service has completed 122 years since its first run between Coonoor and Mettupalayam.
The NMR, which is world-renowned, began its first run on June 15, 1899 during the British rule. Having been in operation over the decades, in July 2005, UNESCO added the Nilgiris Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The site then became known as Mountain Railways of India.
In 1854, plans were made to build a mountain railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. However, it took the decision-makers 45 years to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and complete the construction. The line was completed and opened for traffic in June 1899. It was operated first by the Madras Railway under an agreement with the government.
The Madras Railway Company continued to manage the railway line on behalf of the government for a long time until the South Indian Railway company purchased it. Initially, Coonoor was the final station on the line. In September 1908, the line was extended to Fernhill. By 15 October 1908, it was extended to Ooty.
Between Mettupalayam and Coonoor, the line uses the Abt rack and pinion system to climb the steep gradient. The NMR is the only rack railway in India and is a huge attraction not only for domestic tourists but also foreign tourists.
The NMR, which is world-renowned, began its first run on June 15, 1899 during the British rule. Having been in operation over the decades, in July 2005, UNESCO added the Nilgiris Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The site then became known as Mountain Railways of India.
In 1854, plans were made to build a mountain railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. However, it took the decision-makers 45 years to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and complete the construction. The line was completed and opened for traffic in June 1899. It was operated first by the Madras Railway under an agreement with the government.
The Madras Railway Company continued to manage the railway line on behalf of the government for a long time until the South Indian Railway company purchased it. Initially, Coonoor was the final station on the line. In September 1908, the line was extended to Fernhill. By 15 October 1908, it was extended to Ooty.
Between Mettupalayam and Coonoor, the line uses the Abt rack and pinion system to climb the steep gradient. The NMR is the only rack railway in India and is a huge attraction not only for domestic tourists but also foreign tourists.