The 5 Mountain Railways of India – World Heritage Site
Mountain railways of India are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and an outstanding examples of bold rail link that passes through the mountainous terrain, hill, valleys and tough railroads.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
New Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling – The toy train on the Darjeeling Himalayan section is not merely a source of delight for the young and old, it also represents the engineering skills of the highest order. This 83 km. long section connecting Darjeeling with the railhead at Siliguri is of great importance and has been bestowed World Heritage Site status.
Darjeeling Mountain Railway has Ghum station, India’s highest railway station at an altitude of 2,257 m. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is an outstanding example of the influence of an innovative transportation system on the social and economic development of a multi-cultural region, which was to serve as a model for similar developments in many parts of the world(wiki).
Kalka-Shimla Himalayan Railway
The Kalka Shimla Railway line is one of the most popular hill railways in India. The trains running on these tracks, are popularly called ‘Toy Trains’. A journey on this railway is a unique experience as one passes through the breathtaking landscape of the majestic Himalayas, through tunnels and over bridges; amid the lush green valleys embellished with pine and oak trees.
The traveller is left with a long lasting memory of rhapsody and triumph. This railway route also has tunnel no 103, considered as one of the most haunted place in India. On this route Solan city passed through, which is also known as mini Shimla. During summer season goddess Shoolini Devi festival celebration is major attraction of the city.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 46 Km long and runs on 1000 mm gauge railway. It connects Mettupalayam to Ooty. The first section of the Nilgiri Railway up to Coonoor was completed in 1899 by the Nilgiri Railway Company and was extended to Ooty in 1903. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
The famous Hindi song Chaiyya Chaiyya from the film “Dil Se” featuring Shahrukh Khan was shot on the roof top of NM. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway offers some of the best natural scenery around along with wild life. Nilgiri Biosphere Nature Park is one of the must visit place here and in India as well.
Neral-Matheran Hill Railway
Matheran is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 800 m. In shady trees, and unpolluted air the journey to this hilltop could be through an exciting two hour ascent in a toy train, with food and drink vendors and monkeys jumping on and off, or through a tough 11 km. road hike passing from dense forests.
Matheran’s cliffs with incredibly heights create stunning points. The Neral-Matheran Hill Railways is one of the most famous attraction of the city, it passes through the amazing mountain tunnels and dense forest of the region. Matheran is a Hill Station nested in the Western Ghat in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, It is also known as one of the smallest hill station in India.
Pathankot – Jogindernagar Railway
Kangra Toy Train, where the passengers spend most of the time going through tunnels, the Kangra toy train- linking Pathankot and Joginder Nagar gently meanders through a maze of hills and valleys, offering the travellers enchantingly scenic views. The work on this line started in 1926.
Three years later this, 163 km long route was opened to traffic. Courtesy To (IRCTC). Got something to say? Have any suggestions for us, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment and let us know.
