Ooty

History at a glance

1. 1854
   The line is first proposed. UNESCO: work did not begin for another thirty-seven years because of the terrain.
2. 1891
   Construction begins, thirty-seven years after the proposal.
3. 15 June 1899
   The line from Mettupalayam to Coonoor opens — 27.34 km. Coonoor is the terminus.
4. September 1908
   The line is extended from Coonoor to Fernhill, 17.48 km.
5. 15 October 1908
   The final 1.79 km from Fernhill to Udagamandalam opens. The two extensions from Coonoor cost Rs 2,440,000 over 11 3/4 miles.
6. 1990s
   A direct Nilgiri Express ran between Chennai and Udhagamandalam. One source says it was stopped after the World Heritage listing — but dates the listing to 1994.
7. 2005
   The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is added to the Mountain Railways of India at the 29th Session, Durban — the first extension of the property.
8. 2007
   A daily train crosses the rack section, leaving Mettupalayam at 07:10 and reaching Udhagamandalam at noon.
9. Current
   Key stations are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

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