Nilgiri Mountain RailwayLocation: Ooty Railway Station, Udagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil NaduPrice: ₹10–₹600 per person (depending on class and coach)Timing: Generally 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (train schedules vary)Best Time to Visit: October to June; early morning rides offer the best viewsLet me tell you about the famed Nilgiri Mountain Railway Trip in India. Arguably one of the best and most beautiful train journeys in India, travelling by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) from Mettupalayam to Ooty is something that can't be missed out on if you're in the area. The UNESCO World Heritage railway was built by the British and has been operating since 1908 across the beautiful Nilgiris, for about 46km, starting from the plains of Mettupalayam, 330m, up to the hill station of Ooty (Udhagamandalam), 2200m above sea level. It takes about 5 hours for the whole journey to complete. The NMR has been engineered to be a rack and pinion railway for the sections between Mettupalayam and Coonoor in order to overcome some of the steep inclines. This kind of engineering marvel is a rare sight nowadays; it’s only utilised in a few of the mountain railways around the world! On some sections of the NMR, the old X-class steam engines are still in use alongside some newer diesel locomotives, so that the operations are regular while still retaining the classic charm of this more than a century-old train. As you journey along this slow, yet fascinating train, you’ll get to admire tea estates, lush green pine and eucalyptus trees, waterfalls, streams, valleys shrouded in mist, and ravines. The railway track winds through 16 tunnels, over 250 bridges, and many a sharp curve that provide for excellent photo opportunities. During the monsoons, the hills turn verdant green, and you will feel the invigorating, cool breeze all around you. On its course to Ooty, the train halts at picturesque stations like Kallar, Hillgrove, Runneymede, Coonoor, Wellington, Aruvankadu, Ketti, Lovedale and Ooty. Usually, travelers like to make a stop for a bit at Coonoor to grab some tea and then proceed to Ooty either by car or the next toy train.
