Kalka–Shimla Railway, Narrow-gauge railway in Himachal Pradesh, India
The Kalka–Shimla Railway is a narrow-gauge line in Himachal Pradesh that runs through mountainous terrain between two towns, using tunnels and bridges to cross valleys and ridges. The track passes through dense forests, past terraced fields and small stations built into hillsides that open to wide views of the surrounding mountains.
British engineers began building the line in the late 19th century to connect the summer capital with the plains below, completing it within five years despite difficult mountain conditions. The railway later became part of a larger World Heritage recognition that honors several mountain railways across the region.
The train serves mountain villages and small halts along the way through pine forests and tea gardens, where vendors often sell fresh fruit and snacks through open windows. Locals use the trains for everyday travel to work or market, while visitors lean out from the old wooden seats to watch the steep hillsides pass by.
Trains depart in the morning and early afternoon, and it is advisable to book seats in advance, especially during peak travel months from April to June and in October. The carriages have open windows, so bringing a light jacket for cooler sections and a hat for sunny stretches can be helpful.
A legend tells that the Barog Tunnel was named after an engineer who took his own life after his original calculations were wrong and two tunnel sections failed to meet. Today the Barog station, located halfway, marks one of the few places where trains pause so passengers can have tea at a small cafe.
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