Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train)

The 46 km 'toy train' from Mettupalayam to Ooty is the slowest and most deliberate way to climb into the Nilgiris. Built between 1899 and 1908 and UNESCO-listed in 2005, it remains India's only working rack-and-pinion line: heritage steam locomotives push the carriages up the steep first stretch through 16 tunnels, with tea slopes sliding past the open windows. Seats go weeks in advance on IRCTC, and extra Friday and Sunday runs are added in the summer months. If the full climb is sold out, the shorter diesel section from Coonoor to Ooty via Wellington, Ketti and Lovedale does the job.

A steam-pushed climb through sixteen tunnels, unique in India and UNESCO-listed