It was in 1854, that the first plans were made to build a mountain Railway from Mettupalayam to the Nilgiri Hills. But it took the decision-makers 45 years to cut through the bureaucratic red tape and complete the construction and installation of the line.

The line was completed and opened for traffic in June 1899. It was operated first by the Madras Railway under an agreement with the Government. The Madras Railway Company continued to manage this railway line on behalf of the government for a long time until the South Indian Railway company purchased it. The line was extended to Ooty from Coonoor in 1908.

The NMR is a 1,000 mm meter gauge railway in Nilgiris district and is the only rack & pinion railway in India.

Guests coming via Ooty to Kotagiri can take the toy train from Ooty to Coonoor and enjoy a scenic ride through eucalyptus & pine plantations and get a panaromic view of the Ketti Valley. On a lighting at Coonoor railway station a cab can be taken to Prakritilaya.

Guests coming via Mettupalayam can board the train at the railway station there and get off at Coonoor and take a cab to Prakritilaya. The Journey from Mettupalayam to Coonoor goes through dense forests, over many jungle streams & rivers , tunnels and also through scenic tea gardens. On a lucky one can sight the Indian bisons& elephants.

To book your tickets online visit https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search