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This pair of passenger trains (Train No 56136 and 56137) is in fact the connection for the Chennai bound Nilgiri Express (Train No: 12671 & 12672). The arrival and departure of the passenger train at Mettupalayam matches with the Nilgiri Express.

In other words, if the Nilgiri Express from Chennai arrives late at Mettupalayam, the Mettupalayam to Ooty passenger waits!

Also keep in mind you can make a direct reservation to Ooty (from Chennai, for example). You need to change the train at Mettupalayam, from where the meter gauge route starts. Also remember, there are only very limited seats available for reservation on the Nilgiri Mountain train from Mettupalayam.

You can travel from Mettupalayam to Ooty by bus as well. Also, from Coonoor (located midway between Mettupalayam and Ooty) there are many passenger train connections to Ooty.

The point is, if you could not get reservation in the Mettupalayam-Ooty Passenger - and still wants to experience the legacy meter guage train - travel first to Coonoor by road (bus/taxi). From Coonoor catch one of the many passenger trains operate between Ooty and Coonoor.

By the way, the Mettupalayam to Coonoor stretch is a most charming part of the whole Nilgiri Mountain Rail Route, Spanning from Mettupalayam to Ooty.

Moral of the story. Reserve early. Reserve in the Mettupalayam-Ooty Passenger train ( Train No 56136 and 56137)

See the timetable below.

Note: The train timings are updated here in July 2015. Check with the Indian Railways for the official updates. Use irctc.co.in website for reserving tickets online.