According to the UNESCO world heritage convention of 1972, there are 40 world heritage sites in India, The three mountain railways comprising Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka-Shimla railway also come under the coveted ambit of world heritage in India. These old mountain railways of India systems once built by the then British Indian Government are today more than 100 years old and an interesting fact is they are still using the age-old technique to function, the old steam engines can still be seen puffing chugging and hauling passenger trains on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways. The three rail systems are known for awe-inspiring high bridges, and tunnels under the mountains.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 1,000 mm gauge railway that is located in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. It was built by the British in 1908 and is operated by the Southern Railway. It is unique in that it is the only rack railway in India. It is operated by racks, instead of wheels, which makes it easier to control speed.
Coonoor
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 1,000 mm gauge railway that runs through the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India. It was built by the British in 1908 and is now operated by the Southern Railway. It is the only rack railway in India.
Mettupalayam
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 1,000 mm gauge railway that operates in the Nilgiris region of Tamil Nadu, India. It was built by the British in 1908 and is now operated by the Southern Railway. It is unique because it is the only rack railway in India.
Ooty
The 1,000 mm-gauge Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs through the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India. Built by the British in 1908, the railway is now operated by the Southern Railway. It is the only rack railway in the country.
Rack and pinion system
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway has one of the steepest rail systems in Asia. It is also renowned for its many curves. The trains use a rack and pinion system to climb these steep tracks. When a train grabs onto the rack rail, it begins its ascent.
Ooty station
A trip to the Ooty station on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a great way to see the stunning scenery of southern India. Founded in the early 19th century by the British as a summer headquarters for the government of Chennai, this popular hill station is now a popular destination for tourists looking for an escape from the heat and humidity of the summer. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was opened in 1899 and completed in 1908, and in 2005, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trains are pulled by traditional wooden carriages in blue and cream colors.
Travelling by Nilgiri Mountain Railway
A Nilgiri Mountain Railway journey is truly a treat. It perfectly blends the wonders of nature and the brilliance of modern technology. It will make you reflect on the gift of life and the need to preserve the earth.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, commonly known as DHR or “Toy Train”, connects the two towns of Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri. It was built between 1879 and 1881 and is about 88 km long. If you love to ride trains, we recommend taking the “Jungle Safari” special.
The steep gradients
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is an engineering marvel – albeit one with its share of challenges. Because it traverses steep mountain terrain, the railway had to implement several novel engineering solutions. In particular, the steep gradients posed a serious problem for the railway’s construction. The railway used a series of ‘zig-zag’ and loop-style approaches to overcome these difficulties.
The spiral
The spiral of the Darjeeling Himalayn Railway is a unique feature of the line. Located at the fourteen-mile mark, the railway’s steep ascent is lowered by creating a loop. This loop is made up of two tracks, which run in opposite directions, and spirals around itself through a tunnel and over a hilltop.
The joyride trains
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway offers two types of joyride trains. The first is the regular commuter train that runs with a diesel engine, while the second is the steam engine hauled joy ride. All tickets on the joy ride are first class, with reclining seats in a two-by-two configuration. It is possible to buy tickets on the spot or by phone, but it is better to book in advance.
The Jungle Safari special
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway offers special train rides, including the Jungle Safari, the Evening Safari, and the Joy Ride. The Jungle Safari begins at Siliguri junction and travels through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary to Rongtong station. The train features on-train services and a famous Darjeeling tea tasting. The train’s Vistadome coach has room for 14 passengers, and supplementary coaches can be added depending on demand.
The diesel engines
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was opened in 1881. It was a challenging construction project with steep slopes. The railway company’s engineers were able to overcome these difficulties by constructing two loops: a Double Loop at Chunbhatti and a Single Loop near the ‘Agony Point.’ They also constructed the Batasia Loop to help with the steep descent.
The station
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Darjeeling Toy Train, is a historic railway that starts from New Jalpaiguri, India, and ascends the 2,000m and 7,000 feet of the Himalayas to the town of Darjeeling. It stretches over 55 miles and largely follows the historic Hill Cart Road. Although the railway was closed for many years due to major landslides, it has recently been restored and is back in full service.
The Kalka Shimla Railway
The Kalka Shimla Railway is a 2 ft 6 in narrow gauge railway that traverses mainly mountainous terrain from Kalka to Shimla, India. During the journey, passengers will enjoy stunning views of the mountains and the villages surrounding them. There are also many scenic vantage points along the way.
Toy train
The Indian Railways has decided to deploy three new toy trains on the Kalka Shimla Railway route by the end of the year. The toy trains are narrow-gauge locomotives which have a catchy name. The trains will operate between Kalka and Shimla.
The Kalka Shimla Railway is 96 km long and features 102 tunnels. The train stops at eighteen small stations along the way. This makes it the perfect way for kids to experience the beauty of the region. It runs from Kalka station in Haryana to Shimla station in the Himalayan town of Shimla.
The journey along the Kalka-Shimla Railway is a fascinating experience. It passes through picturesque valleys and mountains. It runs on a narrow gauge and offers awe-inspiring landscapes. The train also makes stops at beautiful hill stations.
Toy train food
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has decided to change the food menu of Kalka-Shimla Railway every fortnight. This decision was taken after receiving feedback from passengers. It was earlier changed on a monthly basis or after fifteen days. This change in menu is to ensure passenger satisfaction. The IRCTC also aims to improve the hygiene standards of their catering services.
The journey takes a couple of hours. The train stops at several stations along the way. At Barog station, the train takes the longest tunnel on the Kalka Shimla Railway. The train crosses this tunnel at a speed of 25 km/h and takes about 2.5 minutes. The tunnel is said to be the straightest in the world, and there are a number of folklore stories associated with it.
The train stops at 18 stations along the way to Shimla. Passengers can sample local cuisine from each one. They can also enjoy hot tea and snacks along the way. The train has a relaxing atmosphere that makes it a perfect way to travel between Shimla and Kalka.
Toy train journey to Shimla
The Kalka Shimla Toy Train has been operating since 1903. It is a narrow gauge train that covers 96 kilometers in 6 hours to get to Shimla. This train travels over 109 tunnels and crosses 20 railway stations. Among them, the Barog tunnel is the world’s longest and straightest. It has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This train is popular among tourists. It is best to book your seat well in advance. The schedule is available on the Indian Railways website and counters. You can make your reservation seven days in advance. Be sure to choose a train that covers your dates of stay. Toy train journey to Shimla is a memorable experience. The Kalka-Shimla Toy Train travels sixty miles along the narrow gauge track, passing through breathtaking landscapes. The train makes stops at 18 stations, including Taksal, Gumman, Taradevi, and Summer Hill.
