Ooty’s ‘Toy Train’: A Delightful Journey Through Nature

Are you yearning for a train journey that proceeds at a leisurely pace? If so, embark on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, India’s slowest train, which meanders through the picturesque Nilgiri hills, traveling from Mettupalayam to Ooty. You might recall Shah Rukh Khan dancing atop a moving train in the Bollywood movie ‘Dil Se’—that’s the train that transports tourists between Mettupalayam and Ooty.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) line is quite unique, passing through 16 tunnels, 250 bridges, and 208 serpentine curves along the route. Its leisurely pace becomes evident when you realize that it covers a mere 46 kilometers in five hours. However, the journey provides travelers with unforgettable moments. Notably, NMR is the only rack railway in India and boasts an impressive feat—it traverses the steepest rail route in Asia.

One remarkable feature of NMR is that the trains embark on their journey from Mettupalayam, which is situated at an elevation of 330 meters above sea level, and steadily ascend to a height of 2,200 meters above sea level when they reach the pinnacle of Ooty after covering 46 kilometers.

The construction of this high-altitude rail line commenced in 1891 and was completed 17 years later. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, along with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in West Bengal and the Kalka-Shimla Railway in Himachal Pradesh, holds a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

In 2023, NMR celebrates its 115th anniversary, while the enchanting hill station of Ooty commemorates its bicentenary. This town, founded by British officer John Sullivan two centuries ago in the state of Tamil Nadu, South India, is now drenched in bicentennial glory.

Over the years, there were several attempts to discontinue the Mettupalayam-Ooty rail service as it was not financially viable. Yet, NMR continued to transport travelers, becoming an integral part of the region’s tourism industry. Many visitors come to Ooty specifically to experience the ‘toy train,’ and the hill station would be unimaginable without it. The captivating sights that await travelers while journeying on NMR trains include mist-covered hills, steep ascents, and the quaint houses scattered amidst the vast tea plantations.

The ‘X’ class steam engines, manufactured between 1918 and 1950, are still employed to pull the trains up the hills. First-class tickets can be booked in advance, and there are general compartments as well. If you plan to purchase tickets in person on the day of the journey, be sure to arrive at the railway station early, as the lines form early in the morning. Traveling on the ‘toy train’ between Mettupalayam and Ooty is an extraordinary experience, featuring steep climbs, bridges, and arches. Travelers have ample time to relish the captivating allure of the Nilgiri hills since the trains on this route move at a leisurely pace. However, dancing on top of the ‘toy train’ like Shah Rukh Khan is strictly prohibited.