Nilgiri Mountain Railway out of steam!

Dacoit Chief · Nov 6th, 2009, 02:54

I just read something in the paper which seems to suggest that they are going to be temporarily switching over to hauling the Nilgiri Mountain Railway by diesel traction all the way! They will use two diesel engines on the steeper sections between Mettupalayam and Coonoor. The main implications are that this will disapoint some steam-fans who are planning special journeys but on the plus side, this journey will get a bit quicker (currently the steam locos have a rated top speed of 13km/h!!)

This is only a temporary measure until they get the new steam locos ready!

Just thought I would post this as this may change the travel plans of some steam-buffs!

http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/06/stor...0652530400.htm

R Murli Dhar · Nov 6th, 2009, 07:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dacoit Chief

I just read something in the paper which seems to suggest that they are going to be temporarily switching over to hauling the Nilgiri Mountain Railway by diesel traction all the way! They will use two diesel engines on the steeper sections between Mettupalayam and Coonoor. The main implications are that this will disapoint some steam-fans who are planning special journeys but on the plus side, this journey will get a bit quicker (currently the steam locos have a rated top speed of 13km/h!!)

This is only a temporary measure until they get the new steam locos ready!

Just thought I would post this as this may change the travel plans of some steam-buffs!

http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/06/stor...0652530400.htm

Frankly I had kept quiet about this part of the NMR. But the reporter is factually incorrect!. There is a gradient on the NMR which needs a rack and pinion assembly to be used to haul the train over that gradient. The proposal is that there would be a leading NG diesel either in the front or the back, and the steam engine which has the rack and pinion adjustment in its undercarriage, leading or trailing the train! This has not been fully sorted out as yet. The latest I know about this topic is that the NMR was running okay, but efforts are on to settle this problem. With the NE Monsoon having set in, the possibility of the NMR being stuck due to landslips, etc. are a possibility. Good wishes.

The diesel does not have the matching rack and pinion assembly, only the steam one has. That's the reason why of having two engines: one diesel without the assembly and the steam with the assembly.

Dacoit Chief · Nov 16th, 2009, 23:16

It loooks like this particular experimental project will be put off until they restore the Kallar to Coonoor segment by at least May 2010. This will probably mean that no steam trains will run at all until then.

achillies · Nov 17th, 2009, 13:58

A very disheartening message for ooty toy train lovers.

Please see the attached news article (Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle)

Dacoit Chief · Nov 18th, 2009, 00:46

It is indeed, but on the bright side, even though this is the most extensive damage the NMR has suffered for a while, at least they are still going to put it right... no matter what the cost may be!

R Murli Dhar · Nov 19th, 2009, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dacoit Chief

It is indeed, but on the bright side, even though this is the most extensive damage the NMR has suffered for a while, at least they are still going to put it right... no matter what the cost may be!

yes beingb done on war footing I understand...

Nov 6th, 2009, 02:54	#1
Dacoit Chief Dosai, Idli, Sambar eating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Madrid Posts: 273	Nilgiri Mountain Railway out of steam! I just read something in the paper which seems to suggest that they are going to be temporarily switching over to hauling the Nilgiri Mountain Railway by diesel traction all the way! They will use two diesel engines on the steeper sections between Mettupalayam and Coonoor. The main implications are that this will disapoint some steam-fans who are planning special journeys but on the plus side, this journey will get a bit quicker (currently the steam locos have a rated top speed of 13km/h!!) This is only a temporary measure until they get the new steam locos ready! Just thought I would post this as this may change the travel plans of some steam-buffs! http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/06/stor...0652530400.htm

Nov 17th, 2009, 13:58	#4
achillies Keep the fire burning Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tamilnadu Posts: 39	A very disheartening message for ooty toy train lovers. Please see the attached news article (Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle) Attached Thumbnails

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Nov 16th, 2009, 23:16	#3
Dacoit Chief Dosai, Idli, Sambar eating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Madrid Posts: 273	It loooks like this particular experimental project will be put off until they restore the Kallar to Coonoor segment by at least May 2010. This will probably mean that no steam trains will run at all until then.

Nov 18th, 2009, 00:46	#5
Dacoit Chief Dosai, Idli, Sambar eating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Madrid Posts: 273	It is indeed, but on the bright side, even though this is the most extensive damage the NMR has suffered for a while, at least they are still going to put it right... no matter what the cost may be!