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Down the hills on rails
Engineering marvel
HERITAGE BY itself is a very captivating concept for students of history and going down the hill by train, and by the Nilagiri Mountain Railway (NMR) at that, can be doubly delightful experience for them.
The History students of Sri Vasavi College, Erode, were curious to travel by the train, prior to the NMR Day to be celebrated on October 15.
So, 23 students doing their final year U.G. and P.G. in History, led by Prof S. Jayasankar and S.S. Malathi, set out for the trip recently. The professors told the students that the distance of 46 kilometres, ascending from 1,700 feet at Mettupalayam to 7,300 feet in Ooty, is considered the steepest in Asia.
Jayasankar said when the train left Ooty, it was hauled by a diesel locomotive and at Coonoor the Black Beauty steam engine made in Switzerland took its place.
Engines of this type were made during the first quarter of 20th century. When the steam engine started, one could see the rack and pinion system between the rails (Cog wheels). This device was fixed to the track, so that the speed of the train could be checked and the payload for the engine could be minimum while climbing down.
He said while climbing down the deep slope, one could observe the effective Chatelier brakes.
The entire stretch was replete with the richness of nature. Students thoroughly enjoyed themselves as the train moved past Shola forests, ravines and rivulets.
They had a chance to meet Heritage Steam Chariot Trust founder, K. Natarajan, who takes pride in being the only Asian to have run a train on lease. He operated the train from Ooty to Rennimade Station, but incurred losses. Yet, undeterred, he continues to contribute his mite to preserve this heritage marvel and takes pride in calling himself a "rail enthusiast". He gave a briefing to the students about NMR.
The students left Ooty with satisfaction, talking animatedly about the engineering marvel.
By R. Sundaram
in Erode
Photo: K. Ananthan
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