For RailFans, seeing RAC-1/2/3 in Mumbai-UP Trains is more exciting than Election Results - rdb

It is a metre gauge track, not narrow gauge.
No, converting to broad gauge won't be useful at all. Broad gauge is designed for plains, not such hilly terrain. The gradients involved here mean that BG is practically impossible here, and even if it is feasible, the expenditure required for tunnels, switch backs, reducing curves etc will be enormous, with no return of investment. The current MG alignment can never be converted to broad gauge as the gradient ( 1:12.5) and the extremely sharp curves cannot be handled by BG rolling stock. Even a completely new alignment will be useless, as the terrain will not permit heavy freight trains, or even short passenger trains for that matter. Service interruptions will be...
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much more frequent as well with BG
The existing MG track is the best possible connection to Ooty.

Well, there are no MG electric locos running in India anymore. Also, the section from Mettupalayam to Conoor has a rack and pinion arrangement (due to the extremely steep gradient which cannot be handled without this arrangement). So a new loco will have to be designed just for this route. Also, the line passes through dense forests and is prone to land slides. So, the cost of maintenance will be rather high with a detrimental effect on the surroundings too ( High voltage wires running through landslide prone areas, in dense forests is not exactly a safe thing). Besides, after all this effort to electrify the route, there will be no increase in services or increase in freight/passenger throughput as the terrain is not suited for heavy or long trains or large number of services. Also, it will no longer be a heritage spot or a tourist attraction if it is...
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electrified. Right now, the NMR's main importance is for tourism, rather than normal services ( for normal freight/passenger services, the NMR cannot compete with road transport now), so better leave it as the steam/diesel service it is now.