Chandigarh, Nov 9
Shimla, often called the “Queen of Hills,” is just a short trip from Chandigarh, and tourists are always excited to visit. The main attraction remains the iconic Kalka-Shimla Heritage Train, which travels through 103 tunnels and 969 bridges along its route. This scenic journey draws tourists from across the country and even abroad to the Kalka Railway Station.
Today marks 121 years since the Kalka-Shimla railway line began. To commemorate this, a special exhibition is set up at Kalka Railway Station. Railway guard Raj Singh Dahiya shared that the exhibit will showcase historic memories of the Kalka-Shimla route, including old engine photos, cardboard tickets, coins, unique currency notes with serial number 786, stamps, and more.
A 121-Year-Old Railway Line
The Kalka-Shimla Railway began operations on November 9, 1903, and is part of the Northern Railway’s Ambala Division. This 96 km railway line starts at Kalka (656 meters) and reaches Shimla (2,076 meters), passing through 18 stations. Mahatma Gandhi once traveled this route in 1921.
A Favorite of Bollywood
The Kalka-Shimla railway has been a popular filming location for Bollywood, featured in iconic songs and movies like the 1974 film Dost, the song “Mujhko Apna Bana Lo” from Boy Friend (1960), and later films like Kya Kehna, All is Well, Jab We Met, Sanam Re, and Ramaiya Vastavaiya.
Exciting Passages Through 103 Tunnels
The line’s 103 tunnels add to the thrill for travelers. The longest, Tunnel No. 33 at Barog Station, stretches 1,143.61 meters and takes the toy train about 2.5 minutes to cross. The line also features 869 bridges and is a narrow-gauge track with rails spaced 2 feet 6 inches apart.
World Heritage Status
In July 2008, UNESCO designated the Kalka-Shimla railway a World Heritage site. The historic Arch Gallery Bridge, built in 1898 at Kanhon Station (64.76 km from Kalka), stands as a four-story arch bridge with 34 arches.
Efforts to Increase Speed
Efforts to improve train speeds on the Kalka-Shimla line are ongoing. Currently, trains run at 22 km/h, but trials with new panoramic coaches have been conducted, aiming to run at 25 km/h. The railway department envisions reducing the 96 km journey time from five to three hours.
Panoramic Coaches & Self-Propelled Train Sets Awaited by Tourists
The Kalka-Shimla route may soon see designer panoramic coaches, which feature large windows for scenic mountain views. These red coaches with black glass are soundproof and offer an upgraded braking system. Meanwhile, the eagerly awaited self-propelled train set with three coaches, which can seat 80 passengers, offers amenities like air conditioning, heaters, LED screens, and display boards.
Current Trains Running on This Route
Mail Express – Train No. 52457, 3:45 AM
Shivalik Express – Train No. 52451, 5:45 AM
Mail Express – Train No. 52453, 6:20 AM
Him Darshan Express – Train No. 52459, 7:00 AM
Himalayan Queen – Train No. 52455, 11:55 AM
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