Nilgiri Mountain Railway - Dec 2005
Images from a trip down the Nilgiris aboard the NMR...
A view of the Udagamandalam (Ooty) station. Height above MSL - 2203 metres!
The now defunct water pump which was once one of the most important pieces of equipment.
The train pushed by GOC YDM-4 #6545 has just arrived and people rush to grab a seat.
All aboard! Its 3PM and the "Nilagiri Passenger" is ready to leave for Metupalaiyam.
The diesel does a fine job of hauling the 4-coach passenger down the Nilgiris to Coonoor.
X Class steam loco #37392 gives us a smoky welcome at Coonoor. I was bathed in coal smoke!
X-37392 reverses to take charge of the Nilagiri passenger.
A view of the Coonoor steam shed. Two more X class locos can be seen.
Diesel vs Steam! Lets see who can smoke better!
Business end of the X-class loco.
Full steam ahead! X-37392 runs through some fine scenery with wild flowers and white picket fences.
Water stop at HillGrove. The passengers get to stretch their legs and catch a hot cuppa tea.
A view of the rack and pinion system without which it would have been impossible to climb and descend the gradient as steep as 1 in 12!
The twin toothed pinion wheel on display at HillGrove.
Kallar - the beginning (or the end) of the rack railway stretch of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Height above MSL - 361 metres. We have descended nearly 2000 metres!!
The train takes one last breather at Kallar before beginning the home run to Metupalaiyam.