The Nilgiri Mountain Range is one of the most picturesque spots in the world. Covered in lush greenery, with majestic mountains forming a stunning backdrop, the locale offers sights that will blow your mind away. Imagine having a train ride through this region enjoying the glimpses of Nature at its best. That is what the Nilgiri Mountain Railway promises you. 

Nicknamed the ‘Toy Train’ as it excites kids more than anybody else, the railway line is a metre gauge that is 1000 mm long. The train slowly ascends the hills, letting you soak in the beauty of the surroundings; passing through tunnels, sharp edges and forested tunnels. The total distance that the train covers is 46 km, taking nearly 5 hours to reach the top point at Ooty. You can also take the train back down the hill, a journey which will take nearly 4 hours to complete. 

Built by the British in 1908, the train is the only operational rack railway in India at this point. The train uses steam locomotives and is operated by the Southern Railway of India. The train starts from Mettupalayam and ends in Ooty. It passes through several piquant hill stations including Coonoor, Wellington, Love Dale and Fern Hill. 

In 2005, UNESCO declared the railway as a World Heritage Site as an extension to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It has since then been a part of the greater heritage site of the Mountain Railways in India.