Ooty Toy Train Timing & Ticket Fees

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Duration

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

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About this tour

The Ooty UNESCO Train refers to the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Mountain Railways of India.” This heritage railway line connects Mettupalayam to Ooty (Udhagamandalam) via Coonoor, winding through the picturesque Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu.

Why UNESCO Status?

In 2005, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its engineering marvel, historic significance, and preservation of the original rail infrastructure and rolling stock. It became part of a broader heritage listing that includes the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway.

Engineering Excellence: The railway was constructed during the British colonial period in 1899 and is known for using a unique rack-and-pinion system to tackle steep gradients, making it a significant engineering feat for its time.

Route: The toy train covers a distance of around 46 km. It begins at Mettupalayam (elevation: 330 m) and climbs to Ooty (elevation: 2,200 m).
Steep Gradient: The train negotiates some of the steepest gradients in Asia, with a maximum gradient of 8.33%.
Rack-and-Pinion System: The train uses a rack-and-pinion system between Mettupalayam and Coonoor to tackle the steep incline.
Scenic Beauty: The journey passes through 16 tunnels, 250 bridges, and numerous curves, offering scenic vistas of the Nilgiri Hills.
Locomotives: Initially operated by steam locomotives, some trains are still steam-powered, but modern diesel engines are also used today.
Duration: The journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty takes about 5 hours, offering a leisurely ride through natural beauty.

Ticket

First Class: Offers cushioned seating and more comfort.
Second Class (Unreserved): Basic seating; tickets can be booked in advance or purchased at the station.
Second Class (Reserved): Provides an allocated seat, but with simpler amenities.

Mettupalayam to Ooty (Up Journey)

Train No. 06136 (Daily Special)
- Departs Mettupalayam: 7:10 AM
- Arrives at Ooty: 12:00 PM
- Major stop at Coonoor: 10:30 AM

Ooty to Mettupalayam (Down Journey)

Train No. 06137 (Daily Special)
- Departs Ooty: 2:00 PM
- Arrives at Mettupalayam: 5:35 PM
- Major stop at Coonoor: 3:30 PM

Coonoor to Ooty (Short Journey)

For travelers who don’t want to cover the full route, several shorter services operate between Coonoor and Ooty:
- Departs Coonoor: Around 9:15 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM (timing varies based on the season)
- Arrives at Ooty: Around 10:25 AM, 1:15 PM, 2:40 PM

Frequently asked questions

Online: Book tickets on the IRCTC website or the IRCTC mobile app.
At the Station: Limited unreserved tickets are available at Mettupalayam and other stations along the route.
Advance Booking: Highly recommended, especially during the tourist season (summer, holidays) as the seats fill up quickly.

First Class: ₹600–₹1,000 (depending on the route and demand)
Second Class (Reserved): ₹200–₹500
Second Class (Unreserved): Cheaper, ranging from ₹30 to ₹100 for short journeys.

First Class, Second Class (Unreserved), Second Class (Reserved).

It became part of a broader heritage listing that includes the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway.