Nilgiri Mountain Rail
The Nilgiri mountain railway starts from the town of Mettupalayam and
thus begins a journey full of twists and turns, as this narrow gauge
train ascends 46 kms, on its way to the hill resort of Ooty.
At a Maximum speed of 33 km per hour, this 'toy train' treks across
plains, plantations and forest clad hills. The 16 tunnels and tall
girder bridges on the way, along with the breathtaking view, make this
toy train journey to Ooty, something not to to be missed
History :
Attempts to construct the first railway line in the Blue Hills began at
the end of the 19th century. Swiss genius Arthur Riggenbach was invited
to India by the government to build a railway similar to the Swiss-Rigi
Mountain, the world's first railway rack line. Following a study tour of
rack railway systems in the German Harz Mountains, the builders decided
to adopt the technically superior New Abt System which was also
compatible with the usual meter gauge railway track system. In 1891, the
Governor of Chennai laid the foundation of the Nilgiri railway and the
line was officially inaugurated seven years later. By 1908, the line
extended up to Ooty (Ooty is also called Udhagamandalam or Ootacamund),
although without a rack. Bayer Peacocks were the first engines to haul
the train through 16 tunnels and numerous bridges on the route.
Technology :
Nilgiri Mountail Railway is the steepest one in Asia ( the steepest
gradient is about 1in12). In combination with this gradient there are
curves as sharp as 18 degrees! To overcome this incline it uses a unique
ABT(Alternate Biting System) commonly known as `rack and pinion' rail
system and curiously the name of the inventor is also Michael Abt! In
this system, between the two conventional rails, there are two rack
bars, out of step with each other, on which the pinions of the locos &
coaches 'climb' in a similar manner as a person climbing a ladder using
his feet alternately.Against the convention of the engine leading the
train on level lines, here the engine is pushing the train from behind
when ascending and is in front stopping it from running amuck when going
downhill. The main incline between Mettupalayam to Coonoor is a
continuous gradient where the rack system is used. After Coonoor until
Ooty the gradient is relatively eased (this section is now worked by
YDM4 diesel locos).
