In view of frequent technical snags hampering the operations of Nilgiris Mountain Railway and to avert the situation of passengers getting stranded midway, Southern Railway – Salem Division has announced the cancellation of Nilgiris Mountain Railway between Mettuppalayam and Coonoor until further orders.
However, from Runneymede and Coonoor stations to Udhagamandalam the train will be operated with variations in coach composition. Every day two buses will be operated from Mettuppalayam to Coonoor and back.
Tourists prefer to travel by NMR to enjoy the scenic beauty of Western Ghats. The train under the rack and pinion system chugs through the valley and gorgeous mountains passing through 250 small bridges, 32 major bridges and 16 caves. Because of its ancient status and technology it has been declared a heritage train.
In the last five months, the train has been developing snags and had to be cancelled mid-way on 30 occasions, many of them during the peak summer season.
Now, with the snags continuing to hamper the services, Southern Railway has partially cancelled the services between Mettuppalayam and Coonoor, since only one steam locomotive is available for operation from Mettuppalayam and Coonoor. The rest of the locomotives are under repair.
Ordinary tickets will be sold from Coonoor and Udhagamandalam and vice-versa. Unreserved passengers will not be allowed to board the Runneymede special and bus service.
