India Rails : The Toy Train
Shimla
The toy train journey from Kalka to shimla is entrancingt with 107 tunnels and
lofty arched bridges. The dazzling view and the stops at the picturesque stations
along the way - Dharmpore,Taksal, Gamma and Solan, all add up to an exhilarating
experience.
Shimla is connected by a broad gauge line up to Kalka from Kalka to Shimla, 'the
toy train' cover 96 km of track in six hours.
Udhagamandalam ( Ooty )
At a high speed of 33 km per hour , this 'toy train' treks across plains , plantations
and forest clad hills . The 16 tunnel and tall girder bridges on the way, along
with the breathtaking view, make this toy train journey to Ooty , something not
to be missed.
Ooty is connected by a narrow gauge line from Mettupalayam, which serves as the
railhead for mainline trains.
Darjeeling
The most famous of the little trains , is the one linking thtown of New Jalpaiguri
the plains to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling .
The 86 km Darjeeling line has no tunnels , thus allowing the traveller an uninterrtpted
view of the breathtaking scenery of the Himlayas.
New Jalpaiguri , the starting point of te hill train to Darjeeling, has direct
connections to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati and other places.
Matheran
The 77 year old line, connecting Neral (on maon line of Central Railway) to Matheran
, is the main way to reach the tiny hill resort, close to Mumbai. As the little
train wheezes up into the clear mountain air , one can view the scenic vista
of hills and plains below.
The toy train to matheran commence from Neral ( on Mumbai- Pune line) , reached
from Mumbai by local train . The journey up to Matheran from Neral takes about
one -and -a- half hours . The toy train runs between sunrise and sunset.
