Top 5 alluring mountain hill-railways: one must explore in India.

Hey, you yes you, want to explore Mountain-Hill Railways and thinking about when did you took the last vacation? Or fresh cool breeze air with scenic view of Mountain. So, I am sharing the glimpse of top 5 extreme Mountain-Hill Railways of India. Which offers the some of most quaint destination of India.

Image By-Vikramjit Kakati | Pixabay | Image Editor-Yash Bhavsar

India’s mountain hill-railways are the best example of engineering. These railways are built in British era between late 19^th century to early 20^th century and now they are great destination for tourist to explore mountain hill-railways. These railways are built on hilly terrain which offers a perfect scenic view around mountain. One of the best things about these Railways are that, three of them, the Darjeeling Himalaya Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka-Shimla Railway are jointly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name of “Mountain Railway of India”. The fourth railway, Matheran Hill Railway, is tentatively listed on UNESCO World Heritage. So, before planning and packing bags to explore these picturesque Mountain Hill-Railway. Hers’s the information you need, before you hop on of these Trains. 

The Top 5 Mountain-Hill Railways of India.

• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, West Bengal, India
• Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Tamil Nadu, India
• Kalka-Shimla Railway, Himachal Pradesh, India
• Matheran Hill Railway, Maharashtra, India
• Kangra Valley Railway, Himachal Pradesh, India.

So, lets get start with Mountain-Hill Railways of India.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, West Bengal, India

Image By-AnkurP | Image Source-Wikimedia 

Darjeeling also known as ‘Queen of the Himalayas’. Darjeeling is one of the popular tourist destinations in North-East India. Darjeeling has its own green beauty. It has tea garden on rolling mountain slopes which is a perfect example of green lush and pleasant climate. The most famous attraction of Darjeeling is ‘Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’ formerly known as ‘Toy Train’ 

The Toy Train was Inaugurated between 1881 and 1908. It is one of the oldest Train routes in India. It offers the most scenic view and toy train passes through the hilly terrain of green lush in mist nature. The road and houses are built near the track. The toy train covers 88km from in West Bengal to New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling in seven-and-a-half hours. It is a narrow-gauge Rail line.  This create a perfect ride in Toy-Train and create a lifetime memory while exploring the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Fare Details of Toy Train Joyride Fare

• Diesel Engine Ride: Rs.1000/- All first-class seat.
• Steam Engine Ride: Rs.1600/- All first-class seat.

 Notes:

• No tickets required below 5 years. Above are round trip fares Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling.
• The fare may increase or decrease as per guidelines of Indian railways.

Routes: New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri Town, Siliguri Junction, Sukna, Rangtong, Tindhara, Gayabari, Mahandi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, Ghum and Darjeeling.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Tamil Nadu, India

Image By-Stephan Niewolik | Image Source-Wikimedia 

Nilgiri also known as ‘Blue Mountain’. The captivating Hill station of Tamil Nadu. It is part western Ghats. Lying at an elevation of 2640 (8661 ft) above sea level. It attracts thousands of tourists. It offers splendid landscape view, green lush and tea garden which makes a perfect destination for tourist. 

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway connects the town of Mettupayalam with the hill station through Udagamandalam in Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu and extended up to Ooty. It stretches 46km long railway track in hilly mountain terrain. The train passes through hilly rocky terrain surrounded by densely wood hills. It is single track meter gauge line. The railway is operated by the Southern Railway and is the only Rack Railway in India. This create a perfect ride in Toy-Train and create a lifetime memory while exploring the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

 Ooty Fare Details of Toy Train

• Rs.205/- per person in First Class.
• Rs.30/- per person in Second Class.
• Rs.15/- for Unreserved Category.

Routes: Mettupayalam, Kellar, Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale, Ootacamund.

Notes:

• The fare may increase or decrease as per guidelines of Indian railways. 

Kalka-Shimla Railway, Himachal Pradesh, India

Image By-Sahilchhabra112 | Image Source-Wikimedia

Shimla is capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is very popular tourist destination in India. Located at an elevation of 2200m. Shimla is well known for its colonial Architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road, and local shops, cafes and Restaurant. It is just 115km from Chandigarh city.

The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a narrow-gauge railway. It was built between 1898 and 1903 to connect Shimla. It stretches 97km long railway track in green lush of mountain. The Kalka-Shimla is the best way to explore colonial architecture history, restaurants, shops and bars that are lined up at edge of Mall Road Ridge. However, it also gives the most amazing travel experience in life while travelling in toy train. The 5 to 6-hour long journey create a perfect ride in Toy-Train and create a lifetime memory while exploring the Kalka-Shimla Railway, Himachal Pradesh.

Kalka-Shimla Toy-Train Fares Details

• Rail Motor - Rs.300/-
• Shivalik Deluxe – Rs.500/-
• Shimla Kalka Express – Rs.70/-
• Himalayan Queen – Rs.260/-

Notes:

• The fare may increase or decrease as per guidelines of Indian railways.

Routes: Shimla, Summer Hill, Shoghi, Salogra, Solan Brewery, Barog, Kumarhatti Dagshai, Dharmpur, Kalka Junction. 

Matheran Hill Railway, Maharashtra, India

Image By-Yash Bhavsar |

Matheran is a hill station situated in Maharashtra, India. Matheran is all about exploring various point which offers a panoramic and scenic view. it is ‘Asia’s first Automobile-free Hill Station’. The most sustainable hill city of India. It is cosy little hill station that located at an elevation of 2600 feet (800 m) above sea level and it is around 100km away from Mumbai and around 120km from Pune. Which make perfect weekend gateway. Matheran means ‘overhead forest’. 

The Matheran Hill Railway was Inaugurated in 1907. It is narrow-gauge railway. It stretches 21km long railway track that passes through rocky terrain of mountain with sharp turns and tunnels. The toy train has three halts in between. i.e. Jummapatti, Water pipe and Aman Lodge. The Journey time is 2 hours, 30 minutes create a perfect ride in Toy-Train and create a lifetime memory while exploring the Matheran Hill Railway, Maharashtra. It is tentatively listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Matheran Toy-Train Fares Details

• Second Class Ticket fare

1. Between Neral and Matheran: Adult Rs45/-, child Rs30/-

• First Class Ticket fare

1. Between Neral and Matheran: Adult Rs300/-, child Rs180/-

Notes:

• The fare may increase or decrease as per guidelines of Indian railways.

Routes: Neral, Jummapatti, Water pipe, Aman Lodge, Matheran. 

Kangra Valley Railway, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Image By-GKarunakar | Image Source-Wikimedia 

The Kangra Valley Railway was inaugurated in 1929. It has 164km long corridor that covers a distance from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar. The railway route covers some of highest hill station in India. It offers most alluring vistas. The highest point on this line is Ahju station. The journey time is 9 hours 30 minutes covering 164 km. it offers a specular view of Kangra Valley and its surroundings. The Kangra Valley Railways was also last of hill railways to be built. 

Kangra Valley Railway Fares Detail

• Ordinary fares – Rs.27/-

1.   1^st Class – Rs.330/-

• Chair Car – Rs.310/-

1.   2^nd Class – Rs.190/-

Notes:

• The fare may increase or decrease as per guidelines of Indian railways.

Routes: Pathankot, Jawalamukhi Road, Kangra, Nagrota, Palampur, Baijnath, Paprola, and Joginder Nagar.

These were all about top 5 Mountain Hill Railways. So, lets take a break from hectic schedule from City Life and enjoy the most fascinating ride in Toy-Train and relish yourself a great holiday in these Hill Stations.

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