The Toy Train Of Ooty
Coimbatore is well connected to many big cities, the adjoining broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms). The other beautiful place Mettupalayam is also close to Ooty, which is just 4 hours journey by a Mountain Railway. Udhagamandalam (Ooty) commonly known as the Queen of Hill Stations is at the height of 2600 meters which is connected by The "Nilgiri toy train" which lies at the foot hills of the Nilgiri Mountains. first plan to lay the railways tracks from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills was made in the year 1854. But finally in the year 1899 the train chugged up this railway track. The construction of these tracks was not easy as the terrain was rather tricky. The locomotive engines used here are designed and built by the Swiss Locomotive Works.
The train which moves with slow pace covers around 45 km to Udhagamandalam in around four hours. Hill Grove, Kallar, Runnymede, Adderely and Kateri are the five stations which lie between Mettupalayam and Coonoor. Some stations which are still functional are Wellington, Aruvakkadu, Ketti, and Lovedale.
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One can see widespread rice fields which surround the distance of 7km between Mettupalayam and Kallar. These rice fields are followed by striking 21 km long rocky terrain. The railway tracks here passes over few viaducts and bends through around 13 tunnels. The train then enters Coonoor after the steep climb, this hill station is well known because of its tea plantations. The track from here, reaches the Fern Hill which is at an alleviation of 2,220m, which is the utmost point on the railroad. The place is full of natural picturesque beauty which leaves the visitors captivated here one can click pictures for memory as there is a beautiful view between Kallar and Adderley.
The seats of the train twists and turns when the train crosses the tall girder bridges, it also moves over the green hills before twisting through the tea estates. A visit to Ooty and adjoining hill station in the loco will always be memorable. One can experience here the beauty of nature which is free from any kind of hustle and bustle. This would surely become the journey to remember.