Tourists enjoy joy ride in coal-fired NMR

The special round trip train, between Ooty and Ketti was hauled by a Swiss X Class steam loco after 17 years. About 80 passengers got an opportunity to enjoy the historic ride in the train that chugged on The Nilgiri Mountain Railway section.

Tracing its history, the railway officials said that the coal-fired loco was made in Switzerland in 1914 was brought to the NMR section in 1918. The coal fired loco was later stopped and the NMR shifted to oil powered in 1997.

The coal-fired loco was then stationed at the Mettupalayam loco shed to be used as a decorative piece. After the NMR train aficionados sought to operate one of its kind coal powered loco again, it was overhauled and made fit for operation.

The loco was brought to Coonoor and a trail run was made recently between Coonoor and Ketti as a round trip. As it turned successful, the Salem division of the southern railways decided to operate the round trip, on Tuesday.

 The coal-fired loco chugged along with two coaches, a first and second class with about 80 passengers. Tourists, who enjoyed the trip in the century old coal-fired loco, were gifted with caps carrying symbols of Swachh Bharat.

The ride was flagged off by MLA R Ganesh in the presence of many railway officials. The train, which commended its journey from Ooty, was halted at Ketti for about one and a half hours for tourists to spend time enjoying the scenic beauty of the place.

The tourists were also served with snacks. Then the train reached Ooty station, where the officials explained the tourists on the history of the coal fired train on the NMR section.