NMR to get two more locos soon

UDHAGAMANDALAM: Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) is all set to get two indigenously made locos soon, in addition to the existing six locos, said U Subba Rao, divisional railway manager, Salem division.After conducting a surprise inspection of Coonoor railway station on Wednesday, Subba Rao said, “We want to improve Coonoor station to make it a tourist spot. So to improve the NMR section, two indigenous locos, one of them is coal-fired, are being manufactured at Golden Rock Workshop in Trichy.”A visitors spot (view point) will be developed in the station for tourists to view the loco shed. Besides, a selfie spot would be erected with an old loco at the backdrop. “Runneymede station between Coonoor and Kallar will also be improved,” Rao said.On the round-trip journey between Ooty and Ketti , the DRM said the service had become very popular. “The round-trips are to be run for three days starting from Wednesday. The service will be provided again in the next holiday season.”Efforts are being taken to revive the 100-year old steam-loco, Rao said. “A few successful trials of the loco have held between Mettupalayam and Kallar. In a month, the loco will be put in service between Ooty and Coonoor,” he added.