The Northern Railways has launched New Year and winter season special trains on the renowned Shimla-Kalka UNESCO World Heritage narrow gauge railway line, as per an official statement. Passengers who will be flocking to Shimla for the holiday season will be able to enjoy the train services from Friday to February 28, 2025. Sanjay Ghera, Station Superintendent of Shimla Railway Station stated that the service began with 81 passengers on board on the inaugural day.
Details on train schedule
The holiday special train service will be offering two daily trips. Train number 52443 will depart from Kalka at 8:05 am and will arrive in Shimla by 1:35 pm. On the other hand, train number 52444 will depart from Shimla at 4:50 pm and will arrive at Kalka at 9:45 pm. These trains have stoppages at major stations such as Solan, Dharampur, Barog, Kandaghat, and Summerhill. Tourists will get ample time to explore the region.
Features of the special train
Each train consists of seven coaches, three general coaches, two chair cars, and two first-class compartments. The train will provide a total seating capacity of 156 passengers. Ghera highlighted that these services will boost tourism and generate revenue for the railways.
An official from Northern Railways, Ambala Division, stated that the initiative of launching these services was taken because of the significant surge in arrivals of tourists in Shimla Christmas and New Year. M K Seth, President of Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association mentioned about the heavy bookings, out of which 25-30 percent of advance bookings are for New Year celebrations.
Historical significance of Shimla-Kalka rail line
The Shimla-Kalka rail line was originally built by the British in 1903, holds historical significance, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009. The 96.6 kilometers narrow gauge track is world famous for its engineering marvels. This rail line consists of 800 bridges, 103 tunnels, and 18 stations. Later on December 11, 2018, this line became the first narrow gauge line in India to run Vistadome coaches. This special train service promises an unforgettable journey through one of India’s most iconic railway routes. Tourists will be able to enjoy a perfect blend of history, scenic beauty, and engineering.
(With inputs from PTI)