Due
to a proposal for the construction of a rail line, Shimla came into the
limelight just after the start of railways in India. Before the starting of the
actual work, intensive surveys were carried out. In the year 1884, the first of
these surveys was carried out and the very next year, another one was made. In
the year 1887, the preparation of a project report, on the basis of
consequences got from these two surveys, was made before the government of
India. The preference of an adhesion line for the route to the rack system was
made after a lot of brainstorming. In the starting, the breadth of the rail
line was supposed to be of only two feet when the contract was signed in the
year 1898. Somehow, after this, the narrow gauge was grown to be the standard 2
feet six inches broad with the insistence of the authorities of the army.
Ultimately, in the year 1903, the route was opened for traffic.
A
seating arrangement of 120 passengers is made by the Shivalik Deluxe Express.
The coaches of this train are well-furnished with wall to wall carpets and
glass windows adding the overall look. Apart from these, an engrossing
atmosphere is created by the light music playing in the background. To finish a
journey from Kalka to Shimla, the train takes approx four and a half hours. On
the way, the train crosses 20 railway stations, 103 tunnels, 919 curves and 969
bridges. Besides few stations, the train rapidly runs past other stations. The
train stops at the Barong station for 15 minutes in order to allow the
passengers to alight and take the enjoyment of some snacks in the restaurant,
which is considered as one of the best ones at any hill station in India.
Adorned
with magnetic charm, the total journey of the toy train covers its length of 96.6
kms. The rail track, which rises from Kalka at a height of 640 meters, reaches
Shimla at an altitude of 2060 meters. To allow the passengers to take the
enjoyment of the captivating charm around, the train twists its way uphill
slowly. The best of the scenes around can be enjoyed at Kushalya River, Koti,
Barog, Kanoh and Jabli at an altitude of 1,240 meters. Only 4 out of 103
tunnels, that the train passes through, are long. The train takes approx 3
minutes to pass through the Barog Tunnel fully. Koti, Tara Devi and Tunnel No.
103 are included under the other three significant tunnels.
Stretched over Shimla, Solan & Panchkula, districts of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, the states in North-west India, Kalka-Shimla Railway – KSR (Shimla-Kalka Toy Train) has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Shimla-Kalka Toy Train ride is considered as one of the major tourist attractions in the state of Himachal Pradesh. By booking Shimla Tour Packages, you can get the opportunity of enjoying this attraction.
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