How about taking a ride where you will enjoy the journey more than the destination? Well, I am talking about the mountain railways or toy trains which promise the most memorable ride of your lifetime.
Kalka-Shimla Toy Train
You loved the train rides Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor took in the movie Jab We Met? Well, some portions of those train scenes were shot on the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train. The journey starts from Kalka and cover places such as Dharampur, Barog and Solan in addition to smaller stations like Kandaghat, Salogra, Totu and Taradevi. The toy train chugs through more than 100 tunnels and offers scenic views of the picturesque villages and hillsides. To know more about the train schedule and other relevant train details, you can check the ixigo train app.
Matheran Hill Railways
Matheran Hill Railways, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country, offers an interesting and unique experience as it travels through tunnels and zig-zags all through the journey. You will be rewarded with some amazing views of the valleys and mountains during your ride. The train starts from Neral to Matheran (vice-versa) and takes almost 2-hours to complete a distance of about 20 km. Generally, there are four pairs of train that operate between these two points, however, only one pair is operational during the monsoon months. It is therefore recommended to have prior train ticket booking if you are planning to take the trip anytime soon.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Who can forget the evergreen Rajesh Khanna singing “Mere sapnoki rani kabaayegitu” to the gorgeous Sharmila Tagore? That memorable song was shot on the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail Route during the 1970s. The train commences its journey from New Jalpaiguri and covers places like Mahanadi, Kurseong, Ghoom, Batasia Loop and finally the picturesque Darjeeling. The train fare of DHR (Darjeeling Himalayan Railways) is around INR 600 per person in first class.
Kangra Valley Railway
Kangra Valley Railway is more than a normal hill station train, it is a preferred mode of travelling for the locals, mostly village people who find it more convenient than a bus ride. The train starts from Pathankot and passes stations including IIhauji Road, ChakkiGhat and Punjab-Himachal border at Kandwal. The stretch of Palampur, Ahju and Baijnath shows the picturesque world of paddy fields, sprawling tea gardens and the snow peaks of Dhauladhar range. Go for prior train reservation if you want a confirmed seat for yourself!
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Chugging at about 10 km per hour, the Nilgiri
Mountain Railway is for those travellers who are not in a hurry. One of those
rare trains which are still operating on the locomotive engines constructed by
Swiss Locomotive Works, it connects Ooty or Udagamandalam to Mettupalayam. The
travel time between these two stations is almost 5 hours and the train passes
through places like Coonoor, Hill Grove, Runnymede, Kateri, Wellington,
Aruvankadu, Ketti and Lovedale, offering stunning views of the tea plantations
all through the journey. As the toy train remains packed with tourists almost
all the time, it is better if you book online train tickets for a hassle-free experience.
Have a memorable journey!
