Shimla Travel Guide

Shimla Toy Train

Soon after the introduction of railways in India, Shimla came into limelight because of a proposal to construct a rail line. It is also interesting to note that intensive surveys were carried out before the actual work began. The first of these survey was carried out in the year 1884 followed by another one the very next year. On the basis of results obtained from these two survey, a project report was prepared and presented before the government of India in the year 1887. After plenty of brainstorming, an adhesion line for the route was preferred to the rack system. Initially, in the year 1898, when the contract was signed, the rail line was supposed to be only two feet broad. However, later with the insistence of the military authorities, the guage breadth was increased to the standard 2 feet six inches. Finally, the route was opened for traffic in the year 1903.

The Shivalik Deluxe Express provides for a seating arrangement of 120 passengers. The coaches are well furnished with wall to wall carpets and glass windows enhancing the overall look. Moreover, light music playing in the background creates an atmosphere that is engrossing. The train takes around four and a half hours to complete a journey from Kalka to Shimla. Enroute, the train passes through 103 tunnels, 969 bridges, 919 curves and twenty railway stations. Apart from few stations, the train sweeps past other station very quickly. At Barog station, the train halts for fifteen minutes so as to allow the passenger to get down and enjoy some refreshments in the restaurant which is regarded as one of the best at any hill station in India.


The entire journey (96 km) is laced with magnetic beauty. Rising from Kalka at 640 m, the rail track reaches Shimla which is at a height of 2060 m. The train twists its way uphill slowly to enable the passengers to enjoy the mesmerising beauty around. The best of the scenes around can be seen at Kushalya River, Koti, Barog, Kanoh and Jabli, 1,240 meters above sea level. Out of 103 tunnels that the train crosses, only four are big ones. The Barog tunnel takes about three minutes to be crossed completely. The other three important tunnels include Koti, Taradevi and Tunnel no 103.

The train departs from Kalka at 0530 hrs and reaches Shimla at 1015 hrs. The return journey from Shimla starts off at 1730 hrs and reaches Kalka at 2215 hrs.

Routes covered
Kalka - Barog - Solan- Shimla