UPDATE on 30th March 2021: Southern Railway has reversed its decision to introduce weekend special trains on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as announced yesterday. No reasons were communicated for the sudden change in plans by SR.
Original News
29th March 2021: Southern Railway has announced the introduction of weekend special trains on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway line between Mettupalayam and Udagamandalam stations for the tourist season.
These services will start from the coming weekend and will run through the summer season till the start of July 2021.
1. Weekend Special Train from Mettupalayam to Udhagamandalam
Train No.06171 Mettupalayam – Udhagamandalam weekend special train will leave Mettupalayam at 09.10 hrs. on Saturdays from 03.04.2021 to 03.07.2021 (14 services) to reach Udhagamandalam at 14.25 hrs. the same day.
Enroute, the train will have a stoppage at Coonoor. Timings – 12.30 / 12.55 hrs.
2. Weekend Special Train from Udhagamandalam to Mettupalayam
Train No.06172 Udhagamandalam – Mettupalayam weekend special train will leave Udhagamandalam at 11.25 hrs. on Sundays from 04.04.2021 to 04.07.2021 (14 services) to reach Mettupalayam at 16.20 hrs. the same day.
Enroute, the train will have a stoppage at Coonoor. Timings – 13.00 / 13.30 hrs.
Composition: The trains will have 1 First Class, 2 First Class-cum-Second Class & 1 Second Class (Total – 4) coaches, having a combined seating capacity of 72 seats in First Class and 100 seats in Second Class.