Footnotes from a train journey

Footnotes from a train journey ( 2025 )

The proposal for Kalka Shimla railway line was preapred back in November 1847. But it was only after opening of Broad gauge railway line from Delhi to Kalka on 3rd January, 1891, that the construction of 95.57 kms long railway line from Kalka to Shimla began, sometimes towards the end of the 19th century which was finally opened for traffic on 9th November 1903, during the Viceroyality of Lord Cruzon.

The Railway line has 102 tunnels built between the years 1900 - 1903, which is about 8% of the total length. Large mirrors were used during construction of tunnels for lighting. Interestingly these mirrors are still in use for maintenance purposes. Longest tunnel number 33, is named after Engineer Barog, who was in charge of construction of the tunnel.

Steel girder bridges are very few on this line, as most of the bridges are viaducts, multi arched galleries, which are great example of ancient Roman art

Shimla railway station at an altitude of 2076m ( 6811 ft ) is nested solemnly in the dense forests of Deodar and towering Pine and green meads of Asphodel, Hyacinth & Celandine. A small but beautiful station building was constructed in the year 1903 under the supervision of H.S Harrington, the then Chief Engineer and representative of the Kalka Shimla Railway.

In the year 1921, a double storey station building with platform shelter was constructed. In the year 1944 due to heavy snowfall of about 12 feet, the existing platform shelter collapsed which was rebuolt under the supervision of M.W Bouldwinm, the then Assistant Engineer of Kalka Shimla Railway based at Dharampur.

Before the toy train appeared on the scene, the journey from Kalka to Shimla was always challenging for the British. Although the road to Shimla had been built in 1856 and immediately earned popularity among travelers, the old road remained in use till the early decades of the twentieth century. Gradually the walking trail had begun to disappear and take the shape of a dirt road. Horse-drawn carriages and bullock carts were the main modes of transport for everyone. The dawk garuee or "Dak Gari” – The Mail Wagon moved on it too.

When the Britishers left, they left a legacy behind, in the shape of this hill town. An amazing town carved out of the hills and connected to the world now, is one of the most famous tourist spots in the country. Climbing from 656 meters (2,152 ft), the line ends at an elevation of 2,076 meters (6,811 ft) in Shimla—a difference in height of 4,660 ft. One hundred seven tunnels were originally built, and 103 remain in use.

These tracks were our go-to places for hanging out with friends. Sunday mornings meant long morning walks along the tracks. Travelling in the train feels like entering a new fairy land. Every tunnel has it’s own story, every platform is unique in itself. Sitting on any platform feels like a cut-off from the rest of the world.