A group of five German railway enthusiasts, led by Peter, chartered the UNESCO-recognized Nilgiri Mountain Railway between Coonoor and Mettupalayam for Rs 3 lakh. The special steam-powered journey covered multiple stations and bridges during the four-and-a-half-hour trip on March 24.
Nilgiris: International tourism continues to flourish in the Nilgiris as railway enthusiasts from around the world show keen interest in experiencing the century-old UNESCO World Heritage-recognized Nilgiri Mountain Railway that operates between Coonoor-Ooty and Mettupalayam.
In a unique development, a group of five railway enthusiasts from Germany, led by Peter, chartered the historic mountain railway using an 'X Class' steam engine for an exclusive journey from Coonoor to Mettupalayam. This special trip showcases the growing international appeal of the region's heritage railway system.
The special mountain railway departed from Coonoor at 11:45 AM on March 24 and reached Mettupalayam at 4:15 PM. The train made several scheduled stops at various stations including Runnymede and Hillgrove, as well as at bridges and other scenic locations along the route, allowing the enthusiasts to appreciate the engineering marvel and capture photographs.
The chartered train consisted of two passenger coaches and two empty goods wagons accompanying the five German tourists. The operational crew included four brakemen, two drivers, a mechanic, and a tourism manager who coordinated the journey.
Krishna Kanth, tourism manager from 'Club Side Tours' based in Siliguri, who arranged the trip, revealed interesting details about the group. "These German tourists are passionate about traveling worldwide and experiencing train journeys. They have previously traveled on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway three times before this charter," he said.
The tourism manager disclosed that the rental cost for this exclusive trip was Rs 3 lakh. He further added that the group plans to return and charter the mountain railway again for separate journeys on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor and Ooty-Coonoor routes, demonstrating their deep fascination with the heritage railway.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which has been operating for over a century, continues to attract international attention for its unique rack and pinion system and breathtaking scenic route through the Blue Mountains. The railway's UNESCO World Heritage status has significantly boosted its appeal among railway enthusiasts and heritage tourism enthusiasts globally.
This charter arrangement highlights the potential for specialized tourism experiences in the Nilgiris region and the economic opportunities that heritage attractions can generate for the local economy.
In a unique development, a group of five railway enthusiasts from Germany, led by Peter, chartered the historic mountain railway using an 'X Class' steam engine for an exclusive journey from Coonoor to Mettupalayam. This special trip showcases the growing international appeal of the region's heritage railway system.
The special mountain railway departed from Coonoor at 11:45 AM on March 24 and reached Mettupalayam at 4:15 PM. The train made several scheduled stops at various stations including Runnymede and Hillgrove, as well as at bridges and other scenic locations along the route, allowing the enthusiasts to appreciate the engineering marvel and capture photographs.
The chartered train consisted of two passenger coaches and two empty goods wagons accompanying the five German tourists. The operational crew included four brakemen, two drivers, a mechanic, and a tourism manager who coordinated the journey.
Krishna Kanth, tourism manager from 'Club Side Tours' based in Siliguri, who arranged the trip, revealed interesting details about the group. "These German tourists are passionate about traveling worldwide and experiencing train journeys. They have previously traveled on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway three times before this charter," he said.
The tourism manager disclosed that the rental cost for this exclusive trip was Rs 3 lakh. He further added that the group plans to return and charter the mountain railway again for separate journeys on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor and Ooty-Coonoor routes, demonstrating their deep fascination with the heritage railway.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which has been operating for over a century, continues to attract international attention for its unique rack and pinion system and breathtaking scenic route through the Blue Mountains. The railway's UNESCO World Heritage status has significantly boosted its appeal among railway enthusiasts and heritage tourism enthusiasts globally.
This charter arrangement highlights the potential for specialized tourism experiences in the Nilgiris region and the economic opportunities that heritage attractions can generate for the local economy.