Shivalik Deluxe Express
Luxury Travel On Wheels
Kalka Shimla Toy train Shivalik Express
The verdant valleys of Himachal Pradesh are incomparable in offering a
panoramic feast to tourists who flock to the state round the year. Easily
accessible from the plains of northern India, the picturesque Shivalik
valley in the
Kalka-Shimla region affords a breathtaking experience.
Promoting the concept of integrated tourism development, the Indian
Railways after collaborating with the Himachal Tourism have added a touch of
class to the
Kalka-Shimla toy-train services.
The Kalka Shimla Rail Route (Kalka to Shimla Toy Train)
The 96-km long
Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge railway track combines antiquity
and modernity with a cocktail of pilgrimage and glamour. The rail motor car
of 1927 vintage which had the unique distinction of bringing Mahatma Gandhi
in 1945 to Shimla for talks with Viceroy Wavell about British plans for
leaving India, is still rail worthy and remains a tourist's delight. The
Gothic-style Barog railway station has become a favourite jaunt of Bollywood
stars.
If the Kalka-Shimla road is a triumph of engineering skill, the phrase can
be applied with even greater truth to the
Kalka-Shimla rail track. Going
back to 1903, it is an engineering marvel, with 103 tunnels and over 700
non-girder bridges in a distance of only 96-km. The route's longest tunnel,
midway at Barog, is 3,760 feet long. More than two- thirds of the entire
track is on curves, some as sharp as 48 degrees.
Beside the sleek rail services, the train stops at or run past Jabli,
Dharampur, Barog, Solan, Salogra, Kandaghat and Taradevi, to name a few of
the spick-and-span railway stations en route. If the six pairs of
seven-coach trains and a pair of rail motor cars serve the passengers of
modest means, the
Shivalik Deluxe Express, popularly known as the
narrow-gauge Shatabdi, caters to top-of-the-line clientele. Introduced in
June 1996, the
Shivalik Deluxe Express runs packed to nine months capacity
during the year.
Shimla Toy Train Charm
The Inside Appeal
With wide glass windows, ergonomically designed reversible cushioned
chairs, fancy electrical fittings, wall-to-wall carpeting, modern toilet
amenities, exclusive cabins for couples, a music system, communication
facilities with the guard and customised on-board catering services, this
train is extremely popular among tourists. The picturesque view outside and
personalised care within make it an experience of a lifetime.
The
Deluxe Rail Motor Car
Equally exciting is the journey by the Deluxe Rail Motor Car, superior
cousin of the
Shivalik Deluxe Express, as the add-on features include a
transparent roof giving an overhead view, a digital time-cum-temperature
display unit, an altimeter to indicate the rail car's height above sea
travel, TV/VCP, tasteful tapestry and ingenious interior decor. Priced at
par with the
Shivalik Deluxe Express, this is a tailor-made product for 14
passengers.
Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach
There is the Shivalik Palace tourist coach, a luxury on wheels in the genre
of the Palace-on-Wheels. It has a deluxe hotel room and a kitchenette. The
fare includes meals on board and two retiring rooms for a one-day stay at
Shimla. A family of six can book this coach for the onward journey from
Kalka to Shimla. The fare for the return direction is also quiet modest.
It has tastefully decorated interiors, folding beds/dining and dressing
tables, cushioned chairs, wall clock, temperature-cum-time indicator, fans,
fridge, kitchenware, cutlery, crockery, cooking range, music channel,
cordless bell, and much more. Indoor games and light reading material are
also provided to let the passengers enjoy a full-fledged luxury stay. An
attendant accompanies the travelling party. This coach can be attached in
the rear of any train on the route so that the travelling party gets a
'peninsular' view of the valleys, mountains and clouds.
An Affair To Remember
On the cards are exclusive and exquisite honeymooners' carriages and
cottages to provide a unique class of pleasure. With emphasis on quality and
comfort, these new products will be small but beautiful.
