Indian Railways is the lifeline of the nation, connecting millions of people each day. While some trains, like the Vande Bharat, are celebrated for their speed and efficiency on long routes, there’s also
one that holds the title for being the slowest. This particular train takes nearly five hours to cover a distance of just 46 kilometres.
But why does this train take so much time to cover such a short distance? Let’s find out.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, also known as the Mettupalayam-Ooty passenger train, is India’s slowest train. It runs between Mettupalayam Railway Station and Udagamandalam Railway Station in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, which is why it is also called the Ooty Toy Train.
The train travels at about 9 kilometres per hour, meaning that it takes roughly 5 hours to cover the 46-kilometre distance. This makes it nearly 16 times slower than the fastest trains in the country. The train journey takes you through beautiful hill stations such as Keller, Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale and Fern Hill.
Although the train moves slowly, it gives travellers a chance to unwind and take in the peaceful, beautiful scenery that faster trains often miss.
Why Does The Train Move So Slowly?
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs on a meter gauge track, which is narrower than the broad gauge used by most trains. The line has over 16 tunnels, 250 bridges and more than 200 sharp curves. These features make the journey challenging and require the train to move at a slow and steady pace.
A Railway With History
The idea for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was first suggested in 1854, but construction began only in 1891 due to the difficult mountain conditions. The railway was completed in 1908 and is the only operational rack railway in India today.
The train is powered by old-fashioned steam locomotives that keep the old way of travel alive. It is operated by Southern Railway and remains a nostalgic ride for many passengers.
In 2005, UNESCO declared the Nilgiri Mountain Railway a World Heritage Site. It was added as an extension to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
Train Details And Timings
The train starts from Mettupalayam railway station, located at the foothills of the Nilgiris and ends at Ooty station, Tamil Nadu. The coaches are painted blue and cream, made mostly of wood, and have large windows so passengers can enjoy the views.
There are two types of coaches: First Class with 72 seats and General Category with 100 seats. Due to growing tourist demand, a fourth coach was added in 2016.
The train leaves Mettupalayam at 7:10 AM and reaches Ooty by around 12 noon. It returns from Ooty at 2 PM and arrives back by 5:30 PM. Tickets can be booked online through the IRCTC website.
