Ooty Choo Choo, a photo from Tamil Nadu, South

Photographer's Note

One day during my journey through southern India in 1973 I took the train to Ooty, one of several "hill stations"; towns founded during colonial days when the administrators needed to escape the lowlands during the hot season. Among the most famous hill stations are Darjeeling in West Bengal and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, both in the Himalayas in the north. In the Nilgiri hills of southern India the most popular place is Ootacamund, popularly known as "Ooty", nowadays called Udagamandalam.

These hill stations seem to have several things in common, apart from a cooler climate and a colonial architecture. The most popular way to reach them is to take the "toy train", old-fashioned coaches pulled by steam engines along narrow gauge tracks. It's a slow and pleasant journey through beautiful sceneries, stopping frequently in small villages.

This was one of these stops, where most passengers got off to stretch their legs. In a workshop is a photo where I pointed my camera up the hillside.

Several years ago Malgo (emka) posted a much better photo from her journey to Ooty.

"Choo Choo" is a childish description of a steam locomotive. The most famous choo choo is no doubt the Chatanooga Choo Choo.

Both photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides. Here is a larger version of the main photo.

papagolf21, ikeharel, snunney, danos, Lidka, ChrisJ, COSTANTINO, Fis2, jhm, Cricri, cornejo, mcmtanyel, GyurMaster, rychem, pierrefonds, Royaldevon, macondo, gervaso, CLODO, alvaraalto, fotka, Hansaphotos, adramad, worldcitizen, maloutim, PaulVDV, PiotrF has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (80953) 2018-01-07 1:07

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan tekst ...
Dobar rad skeniranjem slajda, lepo pokazano mesto i trenutak. Lepe fotografije i secanje na 1973.
Zelim vam lep dan za odmor, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good day.
A nice view and a moment, interesting text ...
Good work by scanning slides, a nice place and a moment. Beautiful photos and recollection on 1973.
I wish you a nice day for rest, all the best.

papagolf21 (131668) 2018-01-07 1:08

Bonjour, cher Gert,
Fabuleuse prise de vue de voitures anciennes !
Oh ! j'adore cela, un grand merci pour le partage.
C'est super.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jmdias (81233) 2018-01-07 1:19

gert

I liked the image a lot. loots like the train is appearing from nowhere.nice the blue barrier created by the train while we can see many personages in front. despite the age the image has a marvelous quality. TFS.
take care

jorge

ikeharel (92386) 2018-01-07 1:31

An intriguing picture of a train from more than 44 years ago, Gert, and the surrounding area as shown on the two links appearing even more challenging., photography-wise.
the scene is vibrant, as train station always do, a well scanned photo.
Have a nice Sunday,
Ike

lousat (111175) 2018-01-07 1:43

Hi Gert,antother time a top quality pic and a very interesting post too,how is lovely this blue train,i hope that it's still in order,maybe just for the tourists..ehehe..great capture and useful post showing us the hill in the WS,but the hill seems very landslide, I dare not imagine what could happen to the railroad during the rainy season. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

snunney (123160) 2018-01-07 1:51

Hello Gert,
The blue coaches of the toy train supply an excellent perspective towards the tunnel. The people taking advantage of the stop to stretch their legs are nicely dotted about and offer an interesting variety of 'poses'. Very good lights and excellent colour contrasts and sharpness.

danos (110395) 2018-01-07 1:58

Hello Gert,
nice the snapshot with the natives to embark and disembark from the train.The blue of the train contrast perfect with the warm colour light of the area.

Regards,Danos

Nicou (172826) 2018-01-07 2:12

Hello

C'est le départ on voit le rendu et le bout des voies et quel captage au bon moment avec le portes ouvertes et ces personnages qui prennent le train quel wagen et perspective superbe.
Bravo et beau dimanche
Nicou

tenretin (3086) 2018-01-07 2:15

Hello,
Avant de lire votre note instructive, je n'avais aucune idée de l'ancienneté de la photo... par ailleurs très belle. La qualité est top et les couleurs superbes.
Merci pour le partage.
Cordialement,
JP

emka (126533) 2018-01-07 2:25

Hello Gert, It is a surprise:). Maybe this time I inspired you with this choice? Mine much better photo - hahahaha. Of course it is not true but nice to read and thanks a lot for the link to one of my earliest posts on TE. It was such a fun to go by this toy train. Amazing quality as always. I see that there is special wagon for ladies.

Have a nice Sunday

MAlgo

Lidka (527) 2018-01-07 2:27

Dear Gert!
"Slow train coming" by Bob Dylan.
Fine scene. Fine people.
Superb scenery.
Nice lightness and colours.
Good exposure.
Very fine focus effect.
Original work.
Well done!

ChrisJ (139665) 2018-01-07 2:45

Hi Gert

This looks similar to the toy train that makes its way up to Darjeeling from Siliguri junction. In retrospect, I would advise anyone to get a bus or jeep up to the hill station, and get the toy train downhill, as they are painfully slow going uphill. In northern hill stations in winter you have the added thrill of skidding on ice going downhill by car or jeep. So the toy train makes a safer alternative going downhill. Tfs!

Tue (59084) 2018-01-07 3:29

Hello Gert,
A great photo of this train and the tiny station platform. The blue and yellow colours are very appealing, especially in this sunlight and seen in front of the natural tones of the hill behind them. The people walking around and boarding the train add a lively yet peaceful mood. Very well captured and the quality is amazing.
Lars

COSTANTINO (82660) 2018-01-07 4:10

Hello dear Gert and have a nice
evening today
you are the best photographer in the
world dear Gert with a great collection
of worthseeing photos from countries
like India I like the idea of the train
and according to your useful notes in 1973
you took the train to OOTY Ii is
a great experience a journy like this one
Every time I visit your gallery I learn
new information thanks very much for it
dear Gert
regards
Costantino

Silvio1953 (175501) 2018-01-07 4:41

Ciao Gert, great perspective on beautiful train, lovely composition with a lot of people, excellent clarity, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Fis2 (127607) 2018-01-07 4:43

Witaj Gert!
Curious place.
A very interesting railway station, train wagons are impressive.
Good frame and colors.
I like this daily life shot.
Very well done.
Nice sunday afternoon.
Krzysztof

jhm (178566) 2018-01-07 4:51

Hello Gert,

My friend is now in Tamil Nadu his yearly vacation for three months.
These is technical perfect made, everyone is wonderful disciplined.
Also, excellent depth and perspective.
A lovely natural picture taken with the train, nice sharp and clear.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John.

Sergiom (107151) 2018-01-07 6:19

Bonjour Gert,

Une autre très belle photo sortie de tes archives.Le train est beau et forme une belle ligne de fuite dans le cadre.J'apprécie beaucoup la mode de l'époque.

Amicalement

Serge

Cricri (145276) 2018-01-07 7:37

Hi Gert
Bonne prise du train bleu sortant du tunnel, la montée des personnes ont des tenues très différentes, la netteté et le rendu des couleurs sont excellentes
Beau dimanche
cricri

dkmurphys (75510) 2018-01-07 10:13

Hello,
I'm sure it was quite a ride with that old train. Nice scene, very exotic.

Daniel

cornejo (56224) 2018-01-07 11:10

Hello Gert, very good picture of this interesting scene of everyday life with the old train, very well composed and captured in this interesting image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. A great job perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thanks for sharing this interesting work.

Good night and happy beginning of the week.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Angel.

Hunkar (7440) 2018-01-07 13:02

Amazing colorful documentary scene,
Best regards,

carlo62 (71230) 2018-01-07 14:18

Ciao Gert
ottima la qualità della scansione e belli anche i colori, la foto di Malgo è forse più d'effetto, ma la tua porta con se gli anni.
Grazie per il tuo ws alla mia foto, sono due modi diversi per vedere lo stesso soggetto.
Saluti
Carlo

mcmtanyel (43553) 2018-01-07 20:33

Hello Gert,
Taken in 1973, scanned from film, but both of these photos are so fresh that I would have thought they were originally digital. Well done X 2! (2! = 2, so no ambiguity by placing the exclamation mark.)
Regards,
MT

sacimar (34869) 2018-01-08 6:01

Hello Gert,

good image where the train is the main element here, I like the scene with people boarding it, this is another interesting old picture, well done,

Happy New Year!

Sergio

GyurMaster (12410) 2018-01-08 6:23

Dear Gert,

You showed us a good everyday-life glimpse again, with a lot to observe. I checked the WS version and this one is obviously the better one.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

macjake (84261) 2018-01-08 6:29

Hi Gert
I feel the need to correct myself on my latest note of Lisbon. In it I mentioned how that structure was my first place I wanted to visit in Lisbon...you and a few others stated that wouldn't be the first place they'd want to see...i wrote the note quickly as I was heading off to work...what I meant to say was that LOCATION was the first place I wanted to see in Lisbon...because there are 3 or 4 major sights in that same walkable distance, including the brand new Museum of Modern Art, that I posted. That funky futuristic sleek long building that I love so much. its only a 10 min walk from there. but they're all located far away from Lisbon's downtown area so I wanted to tackle all 4 major sights first. I'll correct my note today.

I like how the men are pretty well dressed here, I also like the strong blue colours of the train, and the 'moment' you captured of people taking a break. you took full advantage. and once again, for some odd reason, its mostly men, although I do see one woman getting out. Neat shot, I enjoy this one alot. cheers
Craig

rychem (57815) 2018-01-08 8:35

A few days ago I have seen a series about trains around the world, the Indian trains were also shown, I wonder that the train in your photo is not crowded at all.
A very nice photo, very well composed daily life scene
regards Ryszard

pierrefonds (83813) 2018-01-08 15:55

Hi Gert,

The presence of the people is animating the scene. The length of the train is creating depth. the point of view is showing the details of the train. Have a nice day.

Pierre

macondo (20413) 2018-01-09 2:41

Hello Gert.
Your scanning excellence just continues to astound. The colour and sharpness in this one (and the WS) are superb. And even in 1973 you knew where to place yourself for a pleasing angle or curve. I remember visiting a hill station or two in my visit to Burma many years ago. Perhaps these trains were used mainly by the Brits escaping the heat; I wonder if this is the original colour scheme, but suspect it was repainted at least once after Indian independence. Anyway, it seems in superb condition. I love those very neatly placed stones or bricks delineating the station! And thanks for the WS, which helps to place the tableau in topographical context.
Excellent note as usual.
Regards,
Andrew

gervaso (23783) 2018-01-09 2:47

Hello, Gert!

I like photos of trains, and the moment you got it is very nice with the people going back into it after stretching their legs. The view of the hills in the workshop is very nice, it also has excellent colors! Wonderful job!

Royaldevon (55150) 2018-01-09 2:48

Hello Gert,

THis is such an interesting memory from early days in India. The train is like a toy train, with a makeshift station, and is just about to venture through a tunnel. The figures, in various styles of clothing, really animate the scene. Malgo's photograph shows the train moving so we get a different aspect but this shot is fine for its inclusion of the people.

There was a programme on BBC last year, where one their intrepid travellers visited India and travelled on such a train to visit one of the tea plantations. I assure you, the train looked just like this!

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

alvaraalto (31266) 2018-01-09 4:18

Hello Gert
Two excellent pictures of these train to Ooty. Not such a overcrowded train as we sometimes hear of from India, with quit some heavy accidents occasionally.
This looks like a beautiful trip in an amazing landscape.
Have a nice day. Groet Rob

CLODO (39533) 2018-01-09 4:19

Hi Gert

back in the previous century with your informative view of the steaming train, the plateform is really very simple as are the coaches.
Happy new year
CLODO

fotka (5809) 2018-01-09 6:27

Welcome Gert,
I see that lately you posted a lot of old photos from '70.
I like this kind of photos because I can compared how the world changed.
Very interesting blue train where people stretching their legs on platform before continue their journey.
Great quality of scanned photo.
Regards,
Zbigniew

Hansaphotos (10107) 2018-01-09 12:41

Hei Gert

Bak den artige og velvalgte tittelen skjuler det seg nok en rik skildring av dagliglivet under fjerne himmelstrøk, i svunnen tid. Ser man på fargene på toget, kunne man bli fristet til å tenke at det var et svensk tog, haha. Ser man på klesdraktene til passasjerene som får en velfortjent pause, plasserer man nok scenen inn i et indisk landskap. Malgo sitt bilde er nok mer spektakulært, men dine skildrer mer av dagliglivet. Spennende bilde:)

Ha en fin kveld.

Hilsen Erling

LuisGustavoLima (4950) 2018-01-09 13:22

Oi, Gert!

O trem possui uma cor bonita e que traz destaque para ele, por ela ser bem diferente das cores ao redor. Foto bem enquadrada e com uma luz boa.
Bonita foto e (com atraso) um ótimo ano pra você!

adramad (57556) 2018-01-10 8:27

Hello Gert.
Curious and old train, that arrives at this mountain station, here also strange the little people that are seen, accustomed to crowds when we see trains in Indian cities.
Sharpness, lighting and color are perfect.
Well done. I like very much.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

kasianowak (12461) 2018-01-11 13:55

Hi Gert
Lovely little train. It's so nice that the passengers are able to get out to enjoy fresh air. The only time I can get out of the train halfway through my journey to work is when we get told "we've changed our minds, and this train will not stop at your planned destination but 6 stops later" or "your train will, totally unexpectedly, terminate at the next station..."
I also really like the fact that compartments have their own external doors.
The colours are really beautiful and the train creates a sense of depth and perspective and makes the image look three dimensional. I also love the scenery in the WS photo - perfect mixture of rock and vegetation.
Best wishes
Kasia

jean113 (10743) 2018-01-13 8:28

Hello Gert, this is a very interesting scene, and if we were to go there today, I can't imagine that it would have altered much.
Some of my friends have taken railway holidays in this part of the world, and all seem to have enjoyed the experience.
A documentary shot, colourful and from a good point of view.
Regards Jean.

worldcitizen (11224) 2018-01-13 12:30

Hello Gert,
This is a cute choo-choo. :-) It almost looks like a toy train that's come to life, with the blue colors and open doors. I also like the background, with lots of earthy colors.

maloutim (11625) 2018-01-14 5:04

Hi Gert,
This is typical India indeed ! We did travel by train through southern India in 2012 and 2013; night journeys amongst others. Great experience !
This is a good scan, and I like the presence of the people stretching their legs, climbing up or don, or simply looking through the window. An interesting, lively scene !
Nice to see the hill side in the ws and Malgo's picture which shows the smoke and the precipice (Hopefully, the track was strong !)
Thanks for sharing.
My best regards.
Marie-Louise.
PS. I have answered your critique about Rollon, the Viking !

PaulVDV (42879) 2018-01-15 22:26

Hello Gert,
Once I've been to Shimla (on my way to Leh). I don't remember it as a very attractive place. But maybe I was too impatient there to see the infinite spaces of the Himalayas.
The train on this picture looks very pretty in its Swedish colours. The open doors provide a bit of graphism on the image.
I like the colours and the brightness of this picture. Also the overall mood. Tempting to want to take this train one day.
Best regards, Paul

PiotrF (35524) 2018-02-03 14:27

Hello Gert,
Amazing picture from your archive from India.
Well done, fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr