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The Kalka Shimla toy train is yet another engineering marvel. Read more about the Kalka Shimla Hill/Toy train travel.
Home: Hill Trains in India: Kalka Shimla Hill Train

Kalka Shimla Hill Train

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.

Hill Trains in India:
Darjeeling Toy Train | Kangra Valley Railway | Kalka Shimla Hill Train | Nilgiri Mountain Railway | Matheran Light Railway

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