subject: 100 Years Of Pine-scented Travel [print this page] The Kalka-Shimla rail route has completed 100 years, these trains run amidst high pines trees and lush green surroundings and misty mountains.
THE Kalka-Shimla Rail
The Kalka Shimla route, has completed 100 years on November 9. The Kalka Shimla is among the four narrow gauge rail routes on hill terrain in India. The other narrow gauge rail routes are Ooty, Darjeeling and Pathankot-Jogindernagar. It was the Darjeeling route which was used as a model for the construction of Kalka-Shimla route, the formation of which was proposed in the year 1891.
The construction of the Kalka Shimla route began during the reign of Lord Curzon in the year 1903. This was then just to ferry the Bada Sahibs and the members of their families to Shimla. The rail route of Shimla and Kalka is featured in the Guinness Book of Records. More than 2/3rd of the tracks of this route are in curved shape, sometimes they turn at the angles which are as sharp as 48 degrees.
The rail journey
This route is surrounded by the hills on both sides, the rail line here seems to be like the two threads of silver which get clinked to the steep cliffs. Here one can also see the bridges which are built over tiny streams and these streams of fresh water show their sparkle in the sunlight. You can also feel the sweep of cool breeze across your face when the train is on move and when it makes a strenuous climb to the height of 4800 feet from Kalka to Shimla, it takes almost five hours to cover this distance.
The rail line starts to climb immediately after it departs from the Kalka railway station. The toy train then starts to move along the line, whistling sharply through the pine, deodar, oak and maple trees. The train moves at a speed of 22 km per hour. As the journey starts one can see the varied change in the vegetation and enjoy the grand glory of the railway stations. The best way to enjoy the journey is to take a window seat in the train and experience the beauty of the nature by breathing in the cool breeze. The lush green surroundings and the smell of fresh dew on the vegetation will just leave you mesmerized. Here one can also have the sight of cattle grazing around the track. You can enjoy the maximum if you are travelling by the morning toy trains.
by: pamila dsouza
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