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The
nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. You can catch
a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore
and Mumbai. Indian Airlines flies Delhi-Kochi via Mumbai
and Coimbatore.
The nearest airport is in Coimbatore, 100 km away. You can catch
a direct flight to Coimbatore from Chennai, Kozhikode, Bangalore
and Mumbai. Indian Airlines flies Delhi-Kochi via Mumbai and
Coimbatore.
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Nearest
broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms).
Major broadgauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It
is connected with all major cities. Mettupalayam to
Ooty, is connected by a Mountain Railway which is 4
hours journey.
At
a height of 2,600m stands Udhagamandalam (Ooty) the Queen
of Hill Stations. The 'Nilgiri toy train' connects Ooty to
Mettupalayam, at the foot of the Nilgiris.
The constructions of this line was a big challenge as the
terrain is rather tricky. It was in 1854 that the first
plans were drawn to built a mountain railway from Mettupalayam
to the Nilgiri Hills. |
But
it was a good 45 years later in 1899 that the first train chugged
up this track. This railway is widely regarded as a marvel
of engineering. The train itself is a charming blue and cream
with wooden coaches and large windows. It is hauled uphill
by steam engines, desgined and built by the Swiss Locomotive
Works. Twelve of such locomotive engines survive even today.
The train covers the 46 km to Udhagamandalam in four - and - half hours. There
are five stations between Mettupalayam and Coonoor - Kallar, Adderley, Hill Grove,
Runnymede and Kateri - and, at one time, there were five between Coonoor and
Ooty too. Though Wellington, Aruvakadu, Ketti, and Lovedale are still functional,
Fern Hill, the last one, was closed down a few years ago.
Nearest
broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms). Major
broadgauge railway junction is Coimbatore. It is connected
with all major
cities. Mettupalayam to Ooty, is connected by a Mountain
Railway which is 4 hours journey.
At
a height of 2,600m stands Udhagamandalam (Ooty) the Queen of
Hill Stations. The 'Nilgiri toy train' connects Ooty to Mettupalayam,
at the foot of the Nilgiris.
The constructions of this line was a big challenge as the terrain is rather tricky.
It was in 1854 that the first plans were drawn to built a mountain railway from
Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. But it was a good 45 years later in 1899 that
the first train chugged up this track. This railway is widely regarded as a marvel
of engineering. The train itself is a charming blue and cream with wooden coaches
and large windows. It is hauled uphill by steam engines, desgined and built by
the Swiss Locomotive Works. Twelve of such locomotive engines survive even today.
The train covers the 46 km to Udhagamandalam in four - and - half hours. There
are five stations between Mettupalayam and Coonoor - Kallar, Adderley, Hill Grove,
Runnymede and Kateri - and, at one time, there were five between Coonoor and
Ooty too. Though Wellington, Aruvakadu, Ketti, and Lovedale are still functional,
Fern Hill, the last one, was closed down a few years ago.
Extensive rice fields surround the 7 km stretch between Mettupalayam and Kallar.
Soon after is an impressive 21 km section through truly rocky terrain. The track
passes over 26 viaducts, and twists and bends through 13 tunnels. After a steep
climb, the train enters Coonoor, the little hill station known for its tea plantations.
From here, the track is uphill till you reach Fern Hill at a height of 2,218m,
the highest point on the railroad. Shortly before Ooty, the line dips downhill.
If you enjoy taking pictures, keep your camera ready for a few shots of the viaduct
between Kallar and Adderley.
This ride is sure to turn the most hardened rail critic into an avid fan. You'll
delight in the edge - of -the - seat twists and turns as the train runs cross
tall grider bridges, and over green hills before gently meandering through rolling
tea estates. The exhaust beat of the loco never falters, maintaining a defening
staccato which can be heard for miles around. Truly a journey to remember.
| By
Road |
Road
Distance from Coonoor
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Ooty
is well connected by good roads.
There is a regular bus service from Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Calicut, Kanyakumari,
Tanjavur, Tirupati and Cochin. Buses ply regularly to Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary,
Kotagiri, Coonoor and Doddabeta. |
City
Bus, Taxi and and Call Taxi Auto available. |
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