Nilgiri Mountain Railway ,which figures in UNESCO’S list of ‘world heritage sites’, will chug through the scenic landscape with all-steel coaches from August-end.The existing coaches are about 30 to 90 years old. The Salem Division of Southern Railway had originally ordered 35 coaches including spare coaches for replacement of time-worn units and also for running special services. However, the Railway Board had placed orders for 28 coaches with the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.
The first rake of four coaches will be ready by August-end and the remaining coaches will be rolled out in a phased manner before 2019-end. The coaches would come with a new suspension system and have higher under-gear safety, providing a pleasant travel experience for the tourists. The coaches will have extra-large windows to enable the passengers to enjoy the scenic beauty of the valleys, ravine, streams and the gorgeous mountains, as it chugs through the meter gauge section.
From the second batch, the coaches would have bio-toilets and not pollute the ecology of the Nilgiris. This is essential because passengers, during the uphill journey, are on board the train from 7.10 a.m. to 12 noon, and in the return journey from Udhagamandalam to Mettuppalayam, they stay on board from 2 p.m. to 5.35 p.m
Source: The Hindu