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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.
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| The
Kalka Shimla Rail Route |
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.
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| 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. |
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So folks ! Are you ready,
to start on an out-of-the-ordinary journey
up to the hills? Just
pack your sports gear and get going! |
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