Chartering the Nilgiri Mountain Railway

rangss · Mar 5th, 2005, 09:37

This is a wonderful excursion for groups!

The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/20/stor...2004010500.htm
Ride on Nilgiris Mountain Railway, a pleasant experience

By D. Radhakrishnan

UDHAGAMANDALAM, JUNE 19. ``The toy train is a great stress reliever.'' This was the opinion of employees of a Chennai-based private firm who were here today by the Nilgiris Mountain Railway (NMR) from Mettupalayam as part of a company-sponsored holiday.

With the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) going all out to promote rail tourism, the popularity of the NMR line between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam vis-à-vis charter services has begun to grow.

Speaking to The Hindu here, the vice-president of the company, R. Sreedharan, said that with the NMR being one of the biggest tourist attractions in this part of the country, it was only natural to facilitate a trip by it to Udhagamandalam. Since the number of beneficiaries was 116, the IRCTC allowed the company to charter a train.

Pointing out that after the charter facility was introduced a couple of years ago, today's trip was the third, the senior executive, IRCTC, Southern Zone, D. Thangarajan, said that earlier an ``NMR by night'' special and a train exclusively for a few foreigners had been run. Claiming that the demand for running special trains was increasing, he said that early next year a chartered train would run for a group of tourists from France.

To a query, he said the cost of chartering a trip between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam was Rs. 19,000.

While a steam engine was used up to Coonoor, it was replaced with a diesel one for the trip between Coonoor and Udhagamandalam. However, foreigners preferred a steam engine for the entire trip.

Pointing out that within two or three days a chartered trip could be arranged by the IRCTC, he said the train with five coaches and a capacity to ferry 240 passengers halted at various stations including Runneymade and Hillgrove.

rangss · Jun 22nd, 2005, 23:18

More information:

IRCTC offers exclusive hill railway charter services for the following:

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

2. Neral – Matheran Hill Railway

3. Kalka – Shimla Hill Railway

4. Nilgiri Mountain Railway

5. Jatinga Steam Safari (North – East Frontier Railway)

Click Here For More Information

rangss · Jul 11th, 2005, 15:04

The July 2005 issue of Outlook Traveller has an excellent coverage with great pics of the Nilgiri Mountain railway and The Barak Valley Express (Jatinga Steam Safari). Also a coverage on the Deccan Queen.

Mar 5th, 2005, 09:37	#1
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,838	Chartering the Nilgiri Mountain Railway This is a wonderful excursion for groups! The Hindu http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/20/stor...2004010500.htm Ride on Nilgiris Mountain Railway, a pleasant experience By D. Radhakrishnan UDHAGAMANDALAM, JUNE 19. ``The toy train is a great stress reliever.'' This was the opinion of employees of a Chennai-based private firm who were here today by the Nilgiris Mountain Railway (NMR) from Mettupalayam as part of a company-sponsored holiday. With the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) going all out to promote rail tourism, the popularity of the NMR line between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam vis-à-vis charter services has begun to grow. Speaking to The Hindu here, the vice-president of the company, R. Sreedharan, said that with the NMR being one of the biggest tourist attractions in this part of the country, it was only natural to facilitate a trip by it to Udhagamandalam. Since the number of beneficiaries was 116, the IRCTC allowed the company to charter a train. Pointing out that after the charter facility was introduced a couple of years ago, today's trip was the third, the senior executive, IRCTC, Southern Zone, D. Thangarajan, said that earlier an ``NMR by night'' special and a train exclusively for a few foreigners had been run. Claiming that the demand for running special trains was increasing, he said that early next year a chartered train would run for a group of tourists from France. To a query, he said the cost of chartering a trip between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam was Rs. 19,000. While a steam engine was used up to Coonoor, it was replaced with a diesel one for the trip between Coonoor and Udhagamandalam. However, foreigners preferred a steam engine for the entire trip. Pointing out that within two or three days a chartered trip could be arranged by the IRCTC, he said the train with five coaches and a capacity to ferry 240 passengers halted at various stations including Runneymade and Hillgrove. __________________ ...and I took the road less travelled.

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Jun 22nd, 2005, 23:18	#2
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,838	More information: IRCTC offers exclusive hill railway charter services for the following: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway 2. Neral – Matheran Hill Railway 3. Kalka – Shimla Hill Railway 4. Nilgiri Mountain Railway 5. Jatinga Steam Safari (North – East Frontier Railway) Click Here For More Information

Jul 11th, 2005, 15:04	#3
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,838	The July 2005 issue of Outlook Traveller has an excellent coverage with great pics of the Nilgiri Mountain railway and The Barak Valley Express (Jatinga Steam Safari). Also a coverage on the Deccan Queen.

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