This video is an attempt at different things. Please bear with me and accept my apologies if it does not meet your expectations.

#indianrailways #trains #thetrainguy

Train : 12671 Chennai Central - Mettupalayam Nilagiri Express
Loco : Arakkonam WAP4 #22903

Video was recorded in March 2021, when train numbers were still as COVID Specials.

Why this video is an attempt.
Camera Used : Samsung A30
Software to Edit : Cyberlink Power Director 19

I usually use my OnePlus 6T to record my videos and edit them on Sony Vegas Pro. On that day, my phone was getting some updates right when the train was departing. I ended up borrowing my mom's phone to record the journey. Hence, I missed out on Chennai departure as well. For some unknown reason, this video was not getting rendered in Vegas Pro. I tried for almost 6 months in every possible way but it just didn't work. So, I installed Cyberlink Power Director as a back up to edit this video and the output isn't as great as I am not still comfortable with the software.

As it is likely that this train would get LHB coaches before the next time I get to travel by this train, I decided to upload this video as a memory of the ICF rake.

About The Train

The Nilgiri Express (Also known as the Blue Mountain Express, or Nilagiri Express) is a night express train service operating between Chennai Central and Mettupalayam, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, India.

This train is named after the Nilgiri (Tamil : English - (Nil - Blue; giri - Mountain)) Hills. The train is primarily intended for travellers to these hills, especially to the towns of Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagiri. Mettupalayam is near Coimbatore, which is at the foot of these hills, and the Nilgiri Express links to the Nilagiri passenger train operated by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) at Mettupalayam railway station, enabling passengers to complete the journey to Udagamandalam by rail. The Nilgiri Express started to connect Coimbatore to Beypore on 12 May 1862 owing to track completion between Salem & Coimbatore whose completion lead it run as Salem Beypore Ordinary Service. Later it connect Madras to Beypore with through Coach attached at Podanur towards Beypore. Owing to low traffic, Beypore Mail service was discontinued till Calicut was connected in 1888 to Madras (Podanur Beypoor Mail was named Malabar Express in 1907 when Mangalore was connected to Madras). Nilgiri Express termed as Blue Mountain use to cover Madras to Mettupalayam & acts as link to MG Blue Mountain Express for Ooty with through Coach attached to Podanur Calicut Mail. Madras Ooty Through Timings were:- Madras 21.00; Ooty 10.20 & in return:- Ooty 16.30; Madras 05.50. It still exist past NMR UNESCO World Heritage Tag in 1994 with Ooty Mettupalayam Passenger acts as connecting train. Nilgiri Express use to be main portion of Bangalore Mail, Island Express, Malabar Express & Bombay-Coimbatore (Through Coach bifurcate/amalgamate to Madras-Bombay Mail).

There is a daily overnight service in both directions. Train number 12671 runs from Chennai Central to Mettupalayam, while train number 12672 runs from Mettupalayam to Chennai Central.

The train is intended for travellers to and from the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu. Though the train does not enter the district, the main towns in the Nilgiris have designated seats and berths on this train allocated for sale at local booking offices. Ooty, Coonoor, Wellington, Aruvankadu, Ketti, Kotagiri and Gudalur all have this provision. Notably, the latter two do not even have any rail connectivity.

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