That train of India, which runs slower than a bicycle, still there is a queue for tickets

In today’s era of Vande Bharat and Bullet Train, would you believe that there is a train in India which runs slower than a cyclist? Yes, we are talking about the Mettupalayam-Ooty Nilgiri Passenger Train, which the world fondly knows as ‘Ooty Toy Train’. Running at a very slow speed of about 9 kilometers per hour, this train is the slowest train in India. But its slow pace attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Magical journey of 46 kilometers in 5 hours

This train takes approximately five hours to complete the 46 kilometer journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty. It is about 18 times slower than India’s fastest Vande Bharat Express! But after boarding this train, time seems to stop. As the blue carriages of the train slowly climb the mountains, the view out the window of mist-shrouded valleys, lush green tea plantations and Nilgiri hills looks like a beautiful painting. In this journey, the path is more beautiful than the destination.

A journey that takes us back 100 years

This unique railway line was dreamed up in 1854, but it took more than 50 years for it to become a reality. Traversing difficult mountain paths, work began in 1891 and was completed in 1908. This train is a living example of engineering of the British era. Due to this historical importance and excellent engineering, UNESCO has given it the status of ‘Mountain Railway of India’ World Heritage Site, like Darjeeling and Kalka-Shimla Railway.

Every moment is full of thrill

It is not just a simple journey, but an experience full of adventure. During its climb, this train:

• 208 passes through sharp turns.
• Crosses 250 small and big bridges.
• Goes in and out of 16 dark tunnels.

At every turn, a new and mesmerizing view of the Nilgiri hills awaits you. This train takes you to Ooty via beautiful stations like Kallar, Coonoor and Wellington.

So next time whenever you plan to visit South India, do not forget to experience this toy train. This is not just a train journey, but a memorable story which you will remember throughout your life.