Ooty: The Nilgiri heritage train would get 7 new coaches. This, including the few coaches allotted last year, would make the number of coaches to 15. The new coaches are brought as part of introducing brand new coaches with steel seating facilities instead of the old timber coaches that were built in 1899. Huge glass windows on both the sides allow the passengers to enjoy the pristine beauty of the Nilgiri woods.
Mobile charging units are fixed on the sides of the seats. Speakers too are installed through which the driver could communicate with the passengers. Beautiful songs would be played through these speakers to entertain the passengers. The new coaches don the shade of blue which reflect the soul of the Nilgiris.
The six among the 8 coaches brought last year are currently attached on the Ooty – Coonoor train and 2 coaches are used on the Ooty – Mettupalayam train. The 7 new coaches that are brought to Mettupalayam would be attached on the Ooty – Mettupalayam train.
The coaches would be fixed only after conducting the trail run. The authorities informed that 28 coaches are required for the proper functioning of the train services and 13 among them would be available this year itself. The old coaches would then retire to history. The new coaches are being built at the ICF in Chennai.