The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : NMR trains set to gain speed

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Friday, Nov 06, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

NMR trains set to gain speed

S. Vijay Kumar

All seven steam locomotives imported from Switzerland have outlived their efficiency period

Photo: K. Ananthan

The passenger train of Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) which connects Mettupalayam and the hill station Udhagamandalam in the Nilgiris, chugging through the Glendale Estate near Coonoor. —

CHENNAI: The speed of the century-old trains, operated by the Nilgiri Mountain Railways between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu is set to increase. As track-strengthening works along the 46-km stretch on the metre gauge are nearing completion, engineers have decided to temporarily replace the steam locomotives with diesel engines.

According to the Chief Mechanical Engineer (Southern Railway) V. Carmelus, all seven steam locomotives imported from Switzerland had outlived their efficiency period. “While the normal life of a steam locomotive is 35 years, the age of these locomotives ranges between 52 years and 96 years. Despite efforts to maintain the system, the locomotives have failed on many occasions, causing inconvenience to passengers,” he said.

Next week, an inspection special train would be operated with twin diesel locomotives on a trial basis. The ‘Rack and Pinion’ brake system that controls the movement of the trains on the steep section would remain. “The Research Design and Standards Organisation and the Commissioner of Railway Safety have cleared the proposal to operate trains with twin-diesel locomotives. With improved tracks conditions and enhanced hauling power of diesel engines, the speed of the trains will go up from the present 13 kmph in the critical Kallar-Coonoor (20 kms) section.”

Mr. Carmelus said first of the four steam locomotives being indigenously developed at the Golden Rock Workshop at Tiruchi would roll out in December next year. “For the first time, we are manufacturing steam locomotives for the NMR trains. Though operation of diesel engines will enhance the speed, we need to maintain the vintage tag…the NMR is recognised as a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).”

Depending on the performance of the diesel-hauled-train, the NMR would consider increasing the number of coaches. In addition to the ‘Rack and Pinion’ mechanism, engineers were contemplating ‘Air Brakes’ in the train instead of the age-old ‘Vacuum Brake’ system. “We have adequate number of diesel locomotives (MG) readily available for use till the new steam locomotives are rolled out,” Mr. Carmelus added.

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