About Shimla Kalka Toy Trains
Soon after the introduction of railways in India, Shimla came into
limelight because of a proposal to construct a rail line. It is also
interesting to note that intensive surveys were carried out before the
actual work began. The first of these survey was carried out in the year
1884 followed by another one the very next year. On the basis of results
obatined from these two survey, a project report was prepared and presented
before the government of India in the year 1887. After plenty of
brainstorming, an adhesion line for the route was preferred to the rack
system. Initially, in the year 1898, when the contract was signed, the rail
line was supposed to be only two feet broad. However, later with the
insisitence of the military authorities, the guage breadth was increased to
the standard 2 feet six inches. Finally, the route was opened for traffic in
the year 1903.
The Shivalik Deluxe Express provides for a seating arrangement of 120
passengers. The coaches are well furnished with wall to wall carpets and
glass windows enhancing the overall look. Moreover, light music playing in
the background creates an atmosphere that is engrossing. The train takes
around four and a half hours to complete a journey from Kalka to Shimla.
Enroute, the train passes through 103 tunnels, 969 bridges, 919 curves and
twenty railway stations. Apart from few stations, the train sweeps past
other station very quickly. At Barog station, the train halts for fifteen
minutes so as to allow the passenger to get down and enjoy some refreshments
in the restaurant which is regarded as one of the best at any hill station
in India.
The
entire journey (96 km) is laced with magnetic beauty. Rising from Kalka at
640 m, the rail track reaches Shimla which is at a height of 2060 m. The
train twists its way uphill slowly to enable the passengers to enjoy the
mesmerising beauty around. The best of the scenes around can be seen at
Kushalya River, Koti, Barog, Kanoh and Jabli, 1,240 meters above sea level.
Out of 103 tunnels that the train crosses, only four are big ones. The Barog
tunnel takes about three minutes to be crossed completely. The other three
important tunnels include Koti, Taradevi and Tunnel no 103.
The train departs from Kalka at 0530 hrs and reaches Shimla at 1015 hrs.
The return journey from Shimla starts off at 1730 hrs and reaches Kalka at
2215 hrs.
Routes covered
Kalka - Barog - Solan- Shimla
