Relive old world charm of Kalka Shimla toy train

For the kids as well as for me, the day started with a lot of excitement. I have been to Shimla a few times as a child but always by road. Hence, I was excited to tick off one from my to-do list – Relive old world charm of Kalka Shimla toy train ! A lot of planning went into securing seats for the train. Railway booking opens only 2 months before the travel date and the seats gets booked real fast. Given our uncertainty at work, I enlisted the help of an agent to ensure we got the tickets ! Yes – I was that desperate :).

So, you can imagine my excitement as we got into the cab towards our destination, Kalka Railway Station. Enroute I saw a fort like structure and the curious me wanted to know more.

The fort structure of Pinjore Garden

Pinjore Garden’s fort like structure

The driver informed me that I was looking at Pinjore Garden and the interesting story about how a local king drove the Mughals away from the area. The city of Pinjore is also known as City of Pandavas. They stayed here for a while during their exile and apparently dug some Baoris (water wells) which are still a source of water. It is said that there are about 365 Baoris in Pinjore! I wish I had time to explore this but I had a train to catch!

We reached Kalka Station well in time with a couple of hours to spare. Not one to miss out an opportunity to see something new, we headed to the Kali Mata Temple. Incidentally, the town takes its name from the ruling deity – Kalika mata.

Kali Mata Temple

The ancient Kali temple at Kalka

The ancient Kali temple at Kalka

The temple of the Hindu goddess Kali is within Kalka town and an 8 minute auto ride from the station. This ancient temple is believed to be built during the Mahabharata time by the Pandavas when they stayed in this area during “Agyat Vas” (staying incognito)! This is also one of the oldest Kali temple in India. You get a feel of the ancientness of the place and the serene calm of the temple stays with you for long.

Kali temple is very popular among devotees

Devotees throng the Kali temple in hordes

My journey to relive old world charm of Kalka Shimla toy train

Finally, we were back to the starting point of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mountain Railways of India – The Kalka railway Station.

Kalka Railway station - the start of my journey to relive old world charm of Kalka Shimla toy train

Kalka Railway station – the start of my journey to relive old world charm of Kalka Shimla toy train

Historical facts of the Kalka-Shimla Railway

This narrow-gauge railway line was built in 1898 to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British time. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, inaugurated it in 1903 and was one of the first passengers as the train started its maiden journey towards Shimla. Originally, 107 tunnels were constructed out of which only 102 tunnels remain in use today. The line goes through 20 railway stations and has 864 bridges and 919 curves, the sharpest being 48 degrees. The train climbs 4660 ft during this 96 km journey!

Kicking off the toy train Journey from the Kalka Railway Station

And the journey to relive old world charm of the Kalka Shimla toy train starts

I commence my journey to relive old world charm of the Kalka Shimla toy train

Our journey started with a lot of clapping in the coach! We rode the Himalayan Queen which would cover the journey in 5 hours and 20 mins. The excitement in the coach was palpable.

Excited to relive old world charm of kalka shimla toy train

Don’t we look super excited to relive old world charm of kalka shimla toy train ?

The coach had a mix of Indian and Western tourists. We were all well prepared with food and drinks, for which I was thankful. While we could buy food at the Kalka station, we were not sure of the stoppage time and food availability at other stations.

As the town gave way to the charm of the Shivalik ranges, the view quickly changed from civilization to the dense forests of pine and deodar.

The picturesque route on the toy train from Kalka to Shimla

We enjoying the picturesque route on the toy train from Kalka to Shimla

The whistle of the train, the numerous curves and bridges, the darkness of the tunnels and the joyful shrieks within its darkness, the riot of colors of flowers growing in the wild, the stopping at various railway stations all took me back to the charm of unhurried life.

The toy train brings out the child in everyone, doesn't it ?

The toy train brings out the child in everyone, doesn’t it ?

Riot of colors as seen from the Kalka Shimla toy train

Riot of colors as seen from the Kalka Shimla toy train

Some of these stations along the route are located next to bridges, rising like Roman aqueducts from deep ravines. Some of them have as many as four storeys.

Bridges rising like Roman aqueducts from deep ravines

Bridges rising like Roman aqueducts from deep ravines

The toy train crossing one of the many bridges

The toy train crossing one of the many bridges

The tunnels that come at regular intervals between the stations are illuminated by sunlight which is reflected in by mirrors.

Entering one of the 102 tunnels

Entering one of the 102 tunnels

I sent a silent thank you to the British for introducing this to us and enabling me relive old world charm of Kalka Shimla toy train. Was it a coincidence that I made friends with a British couple, from the Isle of Wight on the train?

The Barog Station

The picturesque old-worldly blue and white gothic station with its red roofs and wooden porches

The picturesque Barog Station with its red roofs and wooden porches

This quaint station took my breath away. I was yet to see a station this neat and picturesque as this old-worldly blue and white gothic station with its red roofs and wooden porches. The train stops here for a good amount of time, giving all of us in the train an opportunity to explore it on foot. Interestingly, the station was devoid of travelers and we were the only ones there.

My cutie pie at Barog

My cutie pie at Barog

Tunnel no 33 (The Barog Tunnel) is the straightest tunnel in the world. The Barog Tunnel, at a length of 1143.61 m, is the longest tunnel on the Kalka Shimla Railway route. At a speed of 25 kilometers per hour, trains take about 2.5 minutes to cross the tunnel.

Tunnel No 33 @ The Barog Station

Moi at Tunnel No 33 @ The Barog Station

Legend surrounding the Kalka-Shimla Railway

Colonel Barog, a British railway engineer, was in-charge of Tunnel No 33. He employed the technique of boring the tunnel from both (opposite) ends of the mountain to speed up construction. Unfortunately, he miscalculated and was fined Rs 1 by the British govt. Also, the miners were not happy about their effort going waste. All this amounted to him ending his life with a shot gun. Locals believe his friendly ghost has been seen near the abandoned tunnel (about 1 kilometer away from the current operational tunnel) and is known to chat up visitors!

Interesting fact

This tunnel could not be completed without the guidance of Baba Bhalku, a local saint from Jhaja, near Chail. After the death of Colonel Barog, Chief Engineer H.S. Herlington was assigned to bore a new tunnel but he also faced problems in finding proper alignment of the railway track. With the help of Baba Bhalku, he surveyed the mountainous terrain and started work about a kilometer away. Baba possessed natural engineering skills and had helped the British railway engineers to bore other tunnels on the Kalka-Shimla railway track. A railway museum known as Baba Bhalku Rail Museum is present near Shimla Old Bus Stand.

Kalka Shimla Toy Train Service options

Himalayan Queen and Shimla Express

The picturesque route on the toy train from Kalka to Shimla

The picturesque route on the Himalayan Queen from Kalka to Shimla

This Chair Car is the connecting train for the Delhi – Kalka Shatabdi train and Delhi Kalka Himalayan Queen. As it is non-AC, it can be hot in summer until you reach Barog. The seats are not as comfortable as the other trains but we thoroughly enjoyed the journey despite the coach being super packed. It stops at about 10 stations and that added to the charm for me! As there are just 6-7 coaches, these get booked almost as soon as booking opens up.

Shivalik Express

ArupamdasOwn work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Shivalik Delux Express offers a comfortable and enjoyable ride from Kalka to Shimla, and has plush seats, carpets and large windows . Total fare includes a bottle of water, breakfast and tea. The train has a single stop at the picturesque Barog Station. Shivalik Deluxe Express is the official connecting train to Howrah – Kalka Mail (via Delhi) and can get delayed if Howrah Mail is running late

Rail Motor Car

No machine-readable author provided. AHEMSLTD~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims), CC BY 2.5, Link

A single, self-powered carriage seating just 14 people has glass ceilings offering panoramic views of the Shivalik range. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Indira Gandhi had traveled in the Rail Car during the historic meeting that led to Shimla Agreement! The train has a single stop at the picturesque Barog Station. This is a connecting train to Howrah-Kalka Express and can get delayed in Howrah Express is running late

Conclusion

Trains crossing at the tunnel

Trains crossing at the tunnel

Visiting Shimla is equal parts of both – journey and destination. Chug back in time on the narrow-gauge Kalka Shimla Railway, one of three Indian lines on the World Heritage List. Kalka Shimla Toy Train made its maiden journey in 1903 in the month of November with the Viceroy Lord Curzon on board. To reach Shimla, it takes about 5.5 hours to cover 96 kilometers, crossing 102 tunnels, 864 bridges, 919 curves and crossing 20 railway stations. The Kalka Shimla Toy Railway was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site Mountain Railways of India on 8th July 2008. You will explore the Gothic Barog Station and learn about the legend connected to the famous Tunnel Number 33. Oh, and enjoy the glorious views as the toy train clings to sheer mountain sides and weaves leisurely through dense forests of pine and deodar. Have you had the opportunity to relive old world charm of  Kalka Shimla toy train ? I would love to hear your experience in the comment’s section !

Things you may want to know before the travel (Travel tips)

  • You can book the train tickets for the toy train via IRCTC . Booking opens up 2 months in advance and get booked real quickly as the toy train has limited capacity
  • Consider using an agent for assured booking, despite the additional cost
  • You must plan an overnight stay and take the train in the morning. Kalka has very few accommodations to choose from. Parwanoo, a few kilometers away from Kalka and Chandigarh are other options to consider
  • You should pack your own food as chances of getting some at the stations are iffy
  • You must plan to visit in April/May/June or September/October for a clear views of the picturesque Shivalik range
  • The best views are on the right side of the train when going to Shimla, and the left side when returning
  • If you are looking for the most comfortable experience, travel aboard either the Shivalik Deluxe Express or Rail Motor Car
  • You enjoy getting down at the stations and exploring ? Then Himalayan Queen should be your choice
  • Common complains about the Himalayan Queen are overcrowding (last minute seat allocations by TT), hard bench seats, not-so-clean toilets and no place for luggage storage
  • If you are taking the Himalayan Queen, be prepared to sweat it out until you reach Barog as the train starts post noon and it can get hot
  • The auto guy had agreed to wait 30 mins at the Kali maa temple and dropped us back to the station. It is quite walkable at 1.5 kms, if you are not strapped for time

Listen to my podcast here

 

Relive old world charm of Kalka Shimla Toy Train

Relive old world charm of Kalka Shimla Toy Train

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admin

A daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, IT professional and now - a travel blogger. I just love traveling, exploring new places and this inspired me to share travel experiences and memories with others.

53 Responses

  1. Never knew Simla like this! Enjoyed the podcast

  2. sumit walia says:

    such a lovely article with vibrant photographs and also you have mentioned all the necessary details which will help everyone to plan a trip . thanks for sharing

  3. Neil Alvin says:

    Whoa! That’s a toy train worth riding. I bet my daughter would have a great time on that.
    Thanks for sharing. I will add this to my bucketlist.

  4. Travel Tips says:

    Wow, that is really interesting, I have never known about this. Your photos are so lovely, they took me for a while there with you! 🙂

  5. Indrani says:

    That is indeed WOW! A train journey like this is my dream. Interesting to know that the Englishman’s spirit keeps visiting to chat up.
    The pics are so full of smiles and joy. 🙂

    • admin says:

      Thanks Indrani ! It was a fun journey and what is travel without a little legend ? Glad you liked the pictures. You should make this train journey 🙂

  6. please put a like button somewhere.

  7. Marge says:

    I love that it’s called toy train and the fact that you all felt like kids excited to go about the entire ride makes its name more appropriate. I think I would be excited too given the view along the way. Isn’t it one of the best feelings in the world, to feel like a kid again, The wonder, the excitement that cannot be contained. I hope I’d get a chance to ride Shimla’s toy train too.

  8. Johna says:

    Wow! Looks like such fun especially for the kids! Kind of reminds me of Harry Potter hehe

  9. This is just a wonderful experience. I’ve seen this one in an Indian Movie and since that time, I’ve been dreaming to traipse my feet here and experience all what it has to offer. I love to ride in that train and enjoy the stunning view. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

  10. Erica says:

    I feel like I’ve seen this train before. In a bollywood movie? In the film Barfi maybe? Or maybe I am mistaken. Anyway, it must be nice to be on this train.I’d enjoy the view outside definitely. The whole experience seems charming!

  11. neha says:

    I had taken the Kalka Shimla toy train as a 10 years old and the memories are still afresh in my mind. So one can imagine, how wonderful the feeling must be. Your post made me nostalgic. We went to Shimla some times back but due to lack of time we couldn’t take the train. I hope there was a way the frequency of the toy trains could be increased so that more and more people could take this wonderful route

  12. What a charming ride – and even an UNESCO World Heritage Site, wow!
    Thanks for sharing all those valuable travel tips at the end of your article, they should be really helpful for planning the ride. Hope I get the chance to do it one day.

  13. sumit walia says:

    so well written and described with all the details needed by a first time visitor , thanks for sharing such a unique experience with us

  14. Rye Santiago says:

    Wow, that train ride made for an alluring ride to see picturesque views! The moment I saw the temple in the photo, I suddenly imagined myself listening to sitar and tabla. Oh, how I love India! I’m incredibly happy that you went out of your way to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🙂

  15. Neil Alvin says:

    Nice article. Reading this and looking at those photos made me want to visit and try out the toy train ride with my daughter.
    Gotta love your adventures.

  16. Gareth says:

    Very interesting read. I appreciate the travel tips too! Very Handy!! Love the pictures, especially the train ones you look out!

  17. Hey Swati. I had been to Kalka in 2004 and that was from Delhi-Kalka and Kalka to Shimla, so I never got around to exploring Kalka town. I thought it was a town that just had a railway station. I never knew about the temple or the fort. Toy trains in weekdays as it ambles along makes for a good journey.

    • admin says:

      It is an age old temple and the reason for the town’s name ! Just belief is what brings people to this temple. More reasons to visit next time, eh ?

  18. Hey Swati.
    I had been to Kalka in 2004 and that was from Delhi-Kalka and Kalka to Shimla, so I never got around to exploring Kalka town.

    I thought it was a town that just had a railway station. I never knew about the temple or the fort.

  19. Sindhu says:

    Swathi, I cant tell you how happy I am t know about this heritage train. I never knew Shimla had a heritage train. The postcard-perfect views from the train are enough to enchant me into booking this train during my next visit. Going by your advice, I would definitely plan my visit to Shimla during the monsoon months of December. but I m wondering if winters would be a good time? Wouldnt the place look magical with snow? Btw, does it snow in Shimla during winters?

    • admin says:

      Sindhu, it is a white fairy wonderland during winters :), so if snow is your thing – you must plan for it between December and February. You will love the place. There are also some great ski places you can explore !

  20. Ashwin says:

    Seems you had so much fun. Heard about Kalka-Shimla toy train many times before but never tried to experience it in real. This post has boosted up myself. Will visit Shimla next year with family. Thanks for the detailed guide.

  21. This toy train journey has been on my list for long. After reading this I wish to make this one soon Your article will be very helpful for anyone planning to take this journey.

    • admin says:

      Thanks Bushra for the appreciation. Hope you are able to make the trp soon. Would love to hear back from you on your experiences

  22. Alok Singhal says:

    I never imagined barog station would be that picturesque- I’ve been there by road.
    The train journey looks every bit worth, your detailed account speaks of your excitement

  23. Aditi says:

    I have been to Shimla so many times and every single time we travelled by the toy train, its such a wonderful experience and the scenery is just marvellous. Your most made me nostalgic

  24. Neil says:

    Wow. I’m fascinated with trains. This one reminds me of my adventures in Japan. Did you know that they have a train service there where the train master is a cat? 🙂

    I would love to try this one out someday.

    • admin says:

      That would be an experience – a cat train master ! Hope to do that one ! Wish you get to do Kalka heritage train adventure

  25. Karie says:

    Wow the toy train looks fun and also has stunning views! I’m surprised that I haven’t heard about it before. I wish it was easier to get seats on the train though. Anyway thanks for those tips. Hope I can visit Shimla and ride on the toy train some day!

    • admin says:

      Thanks Karie. I do hope you get to experience this heritage train ride soon. It is a lot of fun and connects instantly with the child in you.

  26. Johna says:

    Wow that’s so interesting! Never thought they still had this although I did heard about it from my friend who visited a few years back. She said she was kinda scared hehe.

  27. Georgia says:

    It sounds and looks like you had an incredible time, your photos are amazing,I like that you had a podcast available too, I can’t wait to read more from you! I always wondered when reading peoples blogs what it’s like to take children but it looks like you’ve done it with ease!

  28. Katie says:

    This sounds like an epic train journey, Your pictures are great. Seems like you past through some very interesting sights and points. Shame i didn’t know about this train journey before i left India just last week. Thanks for sharing, I will look into if i ever return to India again.

  29. Ketki says:

    I have always had the fascination to enjoy this train ride thanks to the ample Bollywood movies while growing up! But still my dream is yet to come true and I am hoping it happens soon.

  30. Yukti says:

    The toy train ride is very interesting and charming when they pass along mountainous forest and curves through slopes. You have taken beautiful photos of toy train, specially through curves.

  31. Divya says:

    This is a great post, I love Shimla, but unfortunately i’m too irked when i have to travel in a train. But looking at your pictures does tell that you really turned into a child while in Shimla☺️ I would recommend it to someone who’s looking for this trip details.

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