Some of the oldest locomotives and coaches used for Nilgiris Mountain rail were exhibited at the Rail Museum, which opened today at the Mettupalayam railway station, some 40 kms from here.
Set up by Salem Division of Southern Railway, the Museum has photographs and artefacts of the Nilgiris Mountain Rail, running on Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Udhgamandalam section, and got Heritage Status, some decade ago.
On display is the first locomotive, which pulled the train in 1899 and manufactured by Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works, Zurich, was also showcased, railway sources said.
Stating that the unique rack and pinion system, which chugged the ‘toy train’ on ghats, would attract the younger generation, they said that all types of coaches and wagons used for taking coal was also on the display at the museum.
Southern Railway General Manager, Vasisth Johri inaugurated the museum.