The Kalka Shimla train is one of the hill trains in
India. The Kalka/ Shimla trains, running on these tracks, are popularly
called 'Toy Trains'. Meandering on these trains is an exhilarating
experience as one passes through the breathtaking landscapes of majestic
Himalayas, tunnels/ bridges and lush green valleys embellished with
pine, oak trees, leaving a long lasting memory of rhapsody and triumph.
This Kalka Shimla train was inaugurated by the British viceroy, Lord
Curzon in November 1903, almost covering the distance of 96 km from
Kalka through the curving tracks, up to Shimla hills- the summer capital
of colonial India. The toy train passes through 103 tunnels, 969
bridges, 919 curves and 20 railway stations in its entire journey. The
Guinness Book on 'Rail Facts and Feats' included Kalka-Shimla Railway as
the greatest narrow gauge engineering achievement in India.
Kalka Shimla Toy Train has about 7 coaches that can accommodate least
200 passengers in a single trip. The diversities of challenging weather
do not extricate the pertinacity of the 700 horsepower B-B type diesel
engines. They run energetically taking up the hazards of adverse weather
conditions - temperatures ranging from 0 to 45°C, heavy snowfall
-average recording 2 feet during winters, and the annual rainfall of
200-250 cm, perceived by the valley. The train acquires up a moderate
average speed of 25-30 km throughout its journey presenting its
travelers the luxury of the picturesque valley.


