Practice journey has an inherent attract that captivates the hearts of many travellers. For these but to embrace this ardour, an expedition aboard India’s slowest practice, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, guarantees a transformative expertise. Fondly often known as the Ooty Toy Practice, this historic narrow-gauge railway traverses the picturesque landscapes of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, providing a journey that is each charming and serene.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 2005, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is well known for its leisurely tempo and breathtaking surroundings. Its light crawl, travelling at a leisurely 9 kilometres per hour, covers a distance of 46 kilometres in a relaxed span of 5 hours, a tempo considerably slower—virtually 16 instances—than India’s quickest trains.

The practice’s unhurried journey by the Nilgiri mountains is a deliberate consequence of the steep gradient it encounters en route. Ascending from the foothills of the Nilgiris at Mettupalayam to the elevated city of Ooty, this practice’s unhurried tempo completely matches the rugged terrains it navigates.

A Journey Value Savouring

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is not nearly reaching a vacation spot; it is an beautiful journey that guarantees a treasure trove of experiences. Venturing by 16 tunnels, traversing 250 bridges, and negotiating 208 steep curves, this UNESCO World Heritage web site affords a singular passage by the varied wildlife of the Western Ghats mountain vary.

Schedule and Stops

The practice’s schedule, managed by IRCTC, sees it departing Mettupalayam at 7:10 am, arriving in Ooty by midday. On its return journey, it begins from Ooty at 2 pm and reaches Mettupalayam by 5:35 pm. The route boasts a number of key stations, equivalent to Coonoor, Wellington, Aravankadu, Ketti, and Lovedale. The journey retains its nostalgic appeal with classic steam locomotives, though some sections have included diesel engines in response to heightened tourism calls for.

Seating and Reservations

The carriages of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, sporting an iconic blue and cream hue, are product of wooden and embody 4 coaches, accommodating First Class with 72 seats and Second Class with 100 seats. To fulfill the surge in tourism, an extra coach was launched in 2016, enhancing passenger capability.

Reserving Your Journey

To embark on this exceptional rail expertise, reservations may be made by the IRCTC web site. Contemplating the surge of vacationers throughout holidays and weekends, advance reserving is advisable to safe your seat and relish this leisurely journey by the beautiful Nilgiri Hills.