Struggling and slipping on the gradient of 1 in 12.50

The 1949-vintage Swiss built steam engine 37391-X, converted from coal-firing to oil-firing mode in 2007, moves on the rack section of the metre-gauge Nilgiri Mountain Railway, after a brief halt of 10 minutes as the adhesion wheels failed to grip the track on the ascending gradient of 1 in 12.50. It had halted a few times en route due to lack of pushing power and mechanical problems.

The unique steam whistle toward the end of the video is to alert the level-crossing gate keeper at Coonoor to give a clear signal, so that another halt on the steep gradient can be avoided. This train was running behind time owing to engine problems on March 23, 2009. A gangman patrolling the track gazes intently at the floundering engine with adhesion wheels slipping, and then gaining speed later.

The steam engines on this route have a sand hump fitted on the boiler, to automatically sprinkle sand on the track in wet/slippery conditions, but over the years it has become inoperative. In this video the oil-fired engine is seen fuming, huffing and puffing vigorously while struggling to push the load of just 4 rebuilt lightweight steel body carriages - the earlier vehicle limit (35 years ago) was 6 wooden carriages pushed uphill by the steam engine!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• NMR
• Rack-railway
• World Heritage
• Ootacamund
• Nilgiri Hills

[pigstylurian]

Beautiful footage, lovely positioning that cameraman!

[arvindkrishnan]

@pigstylurian Thank you for your comment.

[CGT867]

Usually on a rack loco the rack engine does most of the work and the adhesion engine supplements it.

[SuperDuckman24]

I think I can, I think I can! Lol

[doctorbum1321]

@cockroach2008 wtf how can u say that steamis a beutiful thing

[balajimannar2007]

great vdo.

[Cockroach2008]

This thing should be junked, cut apart & melted!

[robmasterman]

Another amazing video, superbly captured..Thanks...5* Bob

[praanesh26]

vedio is awsome!!!! informations are good. i want to know wether u are working in NMR????