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Nilgiri Mountain Railway
OotyRide the Toy Train
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Overview
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, built by the British in 1908, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 46-kilometre beautiful toy train journey starts from Mettupalayam.
Suggested Duration - 5 hours
What To Expect?
The train goes through tunnels, curves, bridges and beautiful sceneries to reach Ooty in five hours. From 300 feet to 7200 feet, the Ooty toy train is definitely worth it!
Tips
- Try to sit on the side that looks out into the valley for the best views on the way up.
- The entrance fee for the toy train is Rs. 24 for second class and Rs. 142 for first class (one way).
- In the movie ‘Dil Se’, Shahrukh Khan danced atop the toy train for the famous ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ song.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway Overview: A Ride Across Dense Greenery
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, also known as the OotyToy Train, is a vintage train operating through the majestic natural trails of the Nilgiri Hills covering some of the most picturesque views. This fairytale train is built on a 1,000-mm gauge railway line and has one of the steepest tracks. Starting from Mettupalayam, it gradually ascends to the hills and covers a total of 46 km. This toy train ride takes about 5 hours to complete, reaching Ooty, its final destination. It is also considered a heritage of the Indian Mountain Railways.
| Nilgiri Mountain Railway is famous for | Picturesque journey across the Nilgiri Hills, the steepest Asian railway track, dense greenery, panoramic views |
|---|---|
| Timings | 7.10 am to 5.30 pm |
| Best Time to Visit | All Year Long |
| Entry Fee | Not Applicable |
| Ticket Price | First Class - INR 290, Second Class - INR 80, Unreserved Category - INR 15 |
| Required Time | 5 hours uphill; 3.5 hours downhill |
| Popular Nearby Places | Wellington, Coonoor, Love Dale, Fern Hill, Hillgrove |
About Nilgiri Mountain Railway Train Route
Take this charming Ooty toy train ride to traverse through some of the most picturesque views with four stops en route, namely Coonoor, Wellington, Kallar and Loving Dale. With a long Nilgiri Mountain Railway history, the 46-km long train route crosses through 16 long tunnels, has a total of 208 magnificent curves and takes about 250 bridges to complete the journey.
En route, you can capture the most scenic views from Mettupalayam to Coonoor. The first train on the route leaves at 7.10 am from Mettupalayam and reaches Ooty by 11.55 am.
How to Reach Nilgiri Mountain Railway
- Via air:Reach Coimbatore International Airport about 59 km away and take a bus or cab ride to reach the toy train station.
- Via railways:The nearest railway accessibility to the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is Coimbatore Railway Station at 60 km.
- Via road:You can reach the toy train by road via the Ooty bus stand which is just 10 km away.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Nilgiri Mountain Railway
What is the speciality of Nilgiri Mountain Railway?
The speciality of Nilgiri Mountain Railway is that it is built on the steepest track in Asia and is known for a high maximum gradient of 8.33%. It is also one of the oldest toy trains in India and takes you through an enchanting ride across the Nilgiris from Mettupalayam to Ooty.
Which seat is best in Ooty Toy Train?
The best seat in Ooty Toy Train is the right-hand window seat on the other end of the platform. Sitting on one of these seats, you can capture some of the most stunning views passing across the Nilgiri Hills and enjoy a dense green canopy covering the region. You can also take great pictures of the panoramic views from these seats.
What is Ooty Toy Train called?
The Ooty Toy Train is officially called the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and is known for providing a fairytale journey experience across the Nilgiri Hills. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its mesmerising ride where passengers are taken through some of the most picturesque and scenic views comprising misty mountains, lush greenery, forest landscape and picturesque views.
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