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The lush valleys of Himachal Pradesh are unparalleled in offering a panoramic vista to tourists who flock to the state through out the year. Easily approachable from the plains of northern India, the picturesque Shivalik valley in the Kalka-Shimla region affords a breathtaking experience.

To promote the concept of integrated tourism development, the Indian Railways after collaborating with the Himachal Tourism have added a touch of class to the Shivalik Deluxe Toy Train on the Kalka-Shimla route. The train runs between the Kalka and Shimla , Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and Kalka is situated on the foot hills of Shivalik Mountain Range.The whole journey is like paradise , with beautiful seneries all over the journey.

The Destinations Covered in the Kalka Shimla Rail Route
The 96-km long Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge railway track combines antiqueness and modernity with a gift of pilgrimage and natural charm. The rail motor car of 1927 vintage which had the distinction of bringing Mahatma Gandhi in 1945 to Shimla for talks with Viceroy Wavell about British plans to leave India, is still rail worthy and remains a tourist's attraction. The Gothic-style Barog railway station has become a favourite jaunt of Bollywood stars.

Going back to 1903, the Kalka-Shimla rail track is an engineering marvel, with 103 tunnels and over 700 non-girder bridges in a distance of only 96-km. The route's longest tunnel, midway at Barog, is 3,760 feet long. More than two- thirds of the entire track is on curves, some as sharp as 48 degrees.

The train stops at or run past Jabli, Dharampur, Barog, Solan, Salogra, Kandaghat and Taradevi, to name a few of the well maintained railway stations on the way. The Shivalik Deluxe Express, popularly known as the narrow-gauge Shatabdi, caters to top-of-the-line clientele. Introduced in June 1996, the Shivalik Deluxe Express runs packed to nine months capacity during the year.

The Coaches of the Shivalik Deluxe Toy Train :
Wide glass windows, ergonomically designed reversible cushioned chairs, fancy electrical fittings, wall-to-wall carpeting, modern toilet amenities, exclusive cabins for couples, a music system, communication facilities with the guard and on-board customised catering services, has made this train extremely popular among the tourists.

Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach :
The Shivalik Palace tourist coach has a deluxe hotel room and a kitchenette. The fare includes meals on board and two retiring rooms for a one-day stay at Shimla. A family of six can book this coach for the onward journey from Kalka to Shimla. This coach can be attached in the rear of any train on the route so that the travelling party gets a 'peninsular' view of the valleys, mountains and clouds.

It has tastefully decorated interiors, folding beds/dining and dressing tables, cushioned chairs, wall clock, temperature-cum-time indicator, fans, fridge, kitchenware, cutlery, crockery, cooking range, music channel, cordless bell, and much more. Indoor games and light reading material are also provided to let the passengers enjoy a full-fledged luxury stay. An attendant is also provided while on travel.