By: Radhika Jain
Mountain Railways of India is one of the major tourists attractions, carrying thosands of travellers every year. Developed by the British Raj, about hundred year ago, mountain railways even today serve as the most convenient mode of transport to reach the hill stations of the country. In fact, mountain railways have become the precious jewell in crown of the Indian Railways. Due to excellent engineering and heritage significance, the UNSECO has declared Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Niligiri Mountain Railway, World Heritage property. Last week on Monday (July 7) UNESCO included the Kalka – Shimla Mountain Railway in World Heritage list.
Once the British summer capital in India's northwest, Shimla attracts thousands of tourists every year from all over the world. Toy train is the most comfortable mode to reach Shimla from Kalka. An extraordinary engineering feat, Kalka - Shimla Railway has its heritage as well cultural values. Considered as the greatest narrow gauge engineering feat in the country, Kalka – Shimla railway line was opened on November 9, 1903 by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India. The surprising fact is that the line doesn’t go faster than 25 km per hour, but in comparison to British era more people are using the line today. The 96 kms journey begins at Kalka, the track rises from 640 mtr (Kalka) to 2,060 mtr (Shimla), the train passes over 864 bridges, under 102 tunnels (longest tunnel Barog – 1.1 km) and around 900 sharp curves and bends
Kalka – Shimla Railway is the ultimate victory of style and serendipity over speed
and in this route journey is as important as the destination. The scenery along the Kalka – Shimla route is spectacular – flanked by lofty hills, the line cross through the sides of steep cliffs and ventures over arch bridges. The train begins its corkscrew ascent immediately above the small town of Parwanoo and enter into the forested hills. After an hour the track straightens out, curving in and out of the hills. There are 18 stations along the way, Barog is the most important among them. From Barog to Kandaghat, the train crosses the beautiful places of Solan and Saloghra. The final climb of the train starts at Kandaghat, through lush oak and rhododendron forests, Finally, Shimla comes into view as the train winds its way through the picturesque hills to the alpine reaches of the lower Himalayas.
Another interesting fact of the Kalka – Shimla railway is use of age-old communication system. Block phones and control phones are being used by the stations en-route, the former established links between two stations, while the latter helps to keep in touch with other important stations. Beside, the Red and green lanterns, used as signals in British period are still part of the operating system.
