Toy trains are a timeless delight that take you through scenic mountain ways at a pace that makes you feel like the world has stopped
As we are thoroughly
aware, India is a diverse country with a variety of communities, cultures, traditions, languages, and cuisines. However, people often tend to forget the diversity of our country’s geography. A peninsula country in the South, whereas in the North and Northeast, India is surrounded by mountains. We also have several plateaus, the ghats in the East and the West, and, not to forget, the desert in the West.
Therefore, India had to find unique ways of transportation. In the West, camels are still used to cross deserts in some regions, whereas in certain parts of the South, water metro systems are employed. Similarly, in some hilly regions where the incline is too steep for normal trains to climb, century-old toy trains are used.
In another article of the ‘India On Wheels’ series, allow us to take you through some of the best toy trains you can find in India, and you must ride them at least once in your lifetime.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
(Credit- Conde Nast)
We began with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the first in India, which commenced operations in 1881. Running on a narrow-gauge track, the toy train that operates between Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri is one of the most significant tourist attractions. This toy train and its route were also the first in India to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most trains are pulled by steam engines, whereas some run on diesel. The journey is one of the most scenic routes you will encounter in your lifetime.
Nilgiri Mountain Railways
(Credit- Curly Tales)
This train route has always been beautiful, but it became iconic after Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora danced to ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ on the rooftop of the train. The train departs from Mettupalayam to Ooty via Coonoor. Lush green forest, tunnels, waterfalls, and the mountains in the backdrop. In fact, there are 16 tunnels and over 200 bridges that the train crosses at a meagre pace of 10.4 km/hour. This, too, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kalka-Shimla Railway
(Credit- We Are Global Travellers)
Built in 1903, the Kalka-Shimla Railway begins its journey from Kalka in Haryana at an altitude of 655 metres and rises to Shimla at 2,076 metres, which is quite a change in elevation. The biggest highlight of the journey is the Barog tunnel, one of the longest railway tunnels in India, measuring 1,143 metres. To get the best views from the train, try to sit on the right side of the carriage while going up the hill. This is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Matheran Hill Railway
(Credit- GoAdventure)
If you live anywhere on the west coast and feel that the above-mentioned locations are far from you, worry not, because Matheran in Maharashtra also has something to offer. Through the Sahyadri mountain range, the Matheran toy train starts from Neral and passes through Jumapatti, Water Pipe, and Aman Lodge to reach Matheran. Unlike the other toy trains, Matheran isn’t famous, but it deserves all the recognition, and people should visit the place because they have no idea what they are missing out on.
