Nilgiri Mountain Railway Tour
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is really a 46 Km long and runs on 1000 mm gauge railway. It connects Mettupalayam to Ooty. The very first section from the Nilgiri Railway up to Coonoor was accomplished in 1899 through the Nilgiri Railway Firm and was extended to Ooty in 1903.
This Nilgiri rail system is unique as it can be the steepest 1 in Asia. In combination with this particular gradient you will discover numerous curves. To overcome this incline the Nilgiri Railway makes use of a exclusive `rack and pinion' rail program. On this system, among the two conventional rails, you'll find two rack bars, out of move with every single other, on which the pinions from the locos and coaches 'climb' in a similar way as an individual climbing a ladder using his toes alternately.
Nilgiri Mountail Railway is the steepest 1 in Asia ( the steepest gradient is about 1in12). In combination with this gradient you'll find curves as sharp as eighteen degrees! To overcome this incline it utilizes a special ABT(Alternate Biting System) generally identified as `rack and pinion' rail program and curiously the name with the inventor is also Michael Abt! With this program, involving the 2 traditional rails, you will discover two rack bars, from stage with each and every other, on which the pinions from the locos & coaches 'climb' in a similar way as a person climbing a ladder making use of his toes alternately. The main incline amongst Mettupalayam to Coonoor is really a continuous gradient where the rack program is used. After Coonoor until Ooty the gradient is relatively eased (this part is now worked by YDM4 diesel locos).
Features
The main feature of this line will be the special rack system and the equally special and complicated locomotives. The train journey from Chennai to Metupalaiyam then took just over 17 hours and cost Rs 20 first class and another 20 rupees to cover the remaining 33 miles up the steep mountain road to Coonoor and Ootacamund through the ‘Nilgiri carrying Company’s Mail and Express Tonga Service’ while heavy baggage had to be sent bullock cart. The only alternative was to hire a pony and arrange for luggage to be taken up by person baggage carriers employing the shorter but even steeper old road to Coonoor.
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