Toy Trains I

8/8/2019 Toy Trains I

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/toy-trains-i 1/56

Mountain Railwaysor

The Toy Trains In India

Presented By:

Chitranshi Srivastava

(Diploma in Tourism Management)

Banaras Hindu University

Guided by

Dr. Pravin S Rana

Lecturer-Tourism

Banaras Hindu University



Toy trains of India:



Contents:

Introduction

History of Mountain Railways in India

Details:

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Kalka ± Shimla Railway

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

SWOT Analysis

Fast Facts Endnote



Introduction:

The Mountain Railways of India refers to the following five railway lines built in themountains of India during the British Raj:

Northern India (Himalayas) :

a) Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1881)

b) Kalka ± Shimla Railway (1898)

c) Kangra Railway Valley (1924)

Southern India (Western Ghats) :

a) Nilgiri Mountain Railway

b) Matheran Hill Railway

All the five railway lines are still operated by the Indian Railways and connect toimportant hill resorts from foot hills, winding through the rugged and scenic

mountainous terrain of India.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka-

Shimla Railway have been collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage

Site entitled ³Mountain Railways of India´.



History of Mountain Railways in India:

Reason for building - the British Raj wanted to establish control over themountainous ranges in India.

The hill stations chosen for this purpose were:

Shimla - the then capital of British India

Darjeeling - known for its tea gardens and scenic view of the Himalayas Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh

Ootacamund in the Nilgiri mountains of Tamilnadu

Matheran in the Western Ghats near Mumbai

Development of the Hill Passenger Railway:

tramway between Siliguri and Darjeeling - work started off in 1878 - completed in 1881.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway in South India - initially proposed in 1854 - work started in

1894 ± completed in 1908

Kalka Shimla Railway link - commenced in 1898 to open up the remote hill regions to

the rest of the country - inaugurated by the British Viceroy Lord Curzon in 1903

Matheran±Narela toy train - commissioned in 1907

Kangra line - built in 1929



Details :

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Kalka ± Shimla Railway




Overview

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the

"Toy Train", is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow-gauge railway

from New Jalpaiguri (6 km from Siliguri) to Darjeeling in

West Bengal, run by the Indian Railways.

It was built between 1878 and 1881 and is about

86 kilometers long.

The elevation level is from about 100 m (328 ft) at Siliguri

to about 2,200 meters (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling.

It is still powered by steam locomotives. Modern diesel

engines are used for Darjeeling¶s mail train.

Since 1999 the train has been a World Heritage List as

listed by UNESCO.

Darjeeling Himalayan

Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Route Map



Route

New Jalpaiguri - the railway was extended to the south in 1964

to meet the new Broad gauge to Assam. Where the two met,

New Jalpaiguri was created.

Siliguri Town - original southern terminus of the line.

Sukna - this station marks the change in the landscape from the

flat plains to the wooded lower slopes of the mountains. The

gradient of the railway changes dramatically. Loop no. 1 and 2

were removed after flood threats.

Rang tong

Loop no. 3 is at Chunbatti. This is now the lowest loop.

Reverses no. 2 & 3 are between Chunbatti and Tindharia.

Tindharia - this is a major station on the line as below the station

is the workshops. There is also an office for the engineers and a

large locomotive shed, all on a separate site. Immediately above

the station are three sidings; these were used to inspect thecarriage while the locomotive was changed, before the train

continued towards Darjeeling.

Agony Point is the name given to loop No.4. It comes from the

shape of the loop which comes to an apex which is the tightest

curve on the line.

Gayabari. Reverse No.6 is the last reverse on the climb.

Mahanadi


Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



contd«

Kurseong - there is a shed here and a few sidings adjacent to

the main line, but the station proper is a dead end. Up trains

must reverse out of the station (across a busy road junction)

before they can continue on their climb. It is said that the station

was built this way so that the train could enter a secure yard and

stay there while the passengers left the train for refreshments.

Above Kurseong station, the railway runs through the bazaar.

Trains skirt the front of shops and market stalls on this busy

stretch of road.

Tung Dilaram

Sonada

Rangbul

Jor Bungalow

Ghum - Summit of the line and highest station in India. Now

includes a museum on the first floor of the station building withlarger exhibits in the old goods yard.

Batasia Loop

Darjeeling

The furthest reach of the line was to Darjeeling Bazaar, a

goods-only line and now lost under the road surface and small

buildings.


Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Agony Point And Batasia Loop:



Services

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway operates a number of

tourist train services:

Daily Train Services - historic diesel and 'B' Class

steam locomotives with various combinations of first and

second class carriages.

Joy Rides - 'B' Class steam locomotives which take

passengers on short trips from Darjeeling to Ghum

return, and Siliguri Junction to Sukna return.

Jungle Safari Holiday Trains - locomotives which run

from Siliguri to Tindharia return, with the highlights being

views of the picturesque Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

and "Z" reverses (where the train zigzags forwards and

backwards up the slope).


Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Darjeeling Himalayan RailwayInteriors of the Toy Train



Information

The joyride from Darjeeling to Ghum and back includes a10 minute stop at Batasia loop and 30 minutes stoppage

at Ghum Museum. The entrance fee to the museum is

included in the fare.

The joyride from Siliguri Junction passes through tea

estates and includes a 30 minutes stop at the DarjeelingHimalayan Railway Photo Gallery in Sukna.

The Jungle Safari trains stop for lunch at Tindharia,

where stunning valley views can be enjoyed, before

returning to Siliguri.


Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Timetable

The main daily toy train service to Darjeeling departsfrom New Jalpaiguri at 9 a.m. and arrives at 4.15 p.m.

There's also a service from Kurseong to Darjeeling at 3

p.m. arriving at 8 p.m. In addition, during the tourist

season there's a train from New Jalpaiguri to Kurseong

at 8.30 a.m.

Joyrides depart from Darjeeling daily at 10.40 a.m. and

1.20 p.m., and Siliguri Junction daily at 10.30 a.m. Each

journey lasts for around two hours.

Jungle Safari trains run on the weekends and public

holidays. The trains depart from Siliguri at 11.15 a.m.,with the return trip taking approximately five and a half

hours.


Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Darjeeling Himalayan Railways



Tariff

The daily toy train service to Darjeeling costs 247 rupeesin first class, and 47 rupees in second class, one way.

First class joyrides cost 240 rupees return.

Reservations

Reservations for travel on the toy train (both daily

services and joyrides) can be made at Indian Railways

computerized reservation counters, or on the Indian

Railways website. It's advisable to book in advance, as

the trains fill up quickly.

The station code for New Jalpaiguri is NJP, andDarjeeling DJ. For joyrides from Darjeeling you'll have to

book with DJ as the "From" station and DJR as the "To"

station.

Tickets for the Jungle Safari holiday trains are available

at Siliguri Junction Station. Phone: (91) 353-2517246.


Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Kalka ± Shimla Toy Train



Overview

The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow

gauge railway in North-West India travelling along a

mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla.

It is known for breathtaking views of the hills and

surrounding villages.

In this route a city name Solan comes which is also

known as mini Shimla.

The Guinness Book on 'Rail Facts and Feats' included

Kalka-Shimla Railway as the greatest narrow gauge

engineering achievement in India.

On July 7, 2008, the Kalka-Shimla Railway was included

in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the World

Heritage Site Mountain Railways of India.

Kalka ± Shimla

Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Route

Stations:

Kalka and Shimla are located just north of Chandigarh, in India's

mountainous northern state of Himachal Pradesh. The

captivating train route connects both places. The route offers a

panoramic feast of the picturesque Himalayas from the Shivalik

foot hills at Kalka to several important points such as:

Dharampur

Solan Kandaghat

Taradevi

Barog

Salogra

Summerhill

Shimla at an altitude of 2,076 meters (6,811 ft).

It runs for 96 kilometers though 20 railway stations, 102 tunnels,

800 bridges, and an incredible 900 curves. The train's speed is

greatly restricted by the steep gradient that it has to climb, but

this allows for plenty of fascinating sightseeing along the way.

Kalka ± Shimla

Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



contd«

Tunnels:

The Kalka Shimla Railway runs through 103 tunnels (one is not in

use; so only 102 in service). The longest tunnel is at Barog, and is

named after the engineer in charge of construction. The tunnel is

1143.61-metre-long.

Besides the Barog tunnel, other 3 big tunnels on this route are Koti -

2,276 feet, Taradevi - 1,615 feet and Tunnel no. 103 - 1,135 feet.

The rail track rises from Kalka at 640m to the freezing

zones of Shimla at 2,060 m.

Other important stations on this route, distance wise from

Kalka include Dagshai±38.4 kilometres (23.9 mi), at an

elevation of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) and Solan.

Kalka ± Shimla

Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Kalka Shimla Toy Train:Entering The Tunnel



Kalka Shimla Toy Train:Crossing over a bridge:



Services

There are three main tourist train services that run on the

Kalka Shimla railway. These are:

Shivalik Deluxe Express - a premium express train with

carpet, wide glass windows that open, cushioned seats,

and relaxing music. It fits 120 passengers. Food is

provided.

Himalayan Queen - a standard toy train service, with

bench seats. Food isn't provided but can be purchased at

the 10 or so stations that it stops at along the way.

Rail Motor Car - uniquely resembles a bus from the timeof the Second World War. It's got a transparent roof, and

fits only 14 passengers. It's also an express service, with

food provided.

Kalka ± Shimla

Railway:

Overview

Route Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Kalka ± Shimla Toy TrainShivalik Express & Shivalik Palace...



Kalka ± Shimla Toy TrainHimalayan queen is one of the nice trains on the narrow

gauge track...



Kalka ± Shimla Toy TrainDeluxe Rail-Car



Information

Kalka Shimla Train Special Carriages:

In addition to the normal train services, there are two specialluxury tourist carriages that can be booked. These are:

Shivalik Palace - is designed to be like a hotel room for parties of up

to six people. The carriage has its own attendant, folding cushioned

bed, refrigerator, on-board kitchen, and dining table. It can be

attached to any train on the Shimla-Kalka route. Meals are provided.

Shivalik Queen - especially for honeymooners. Compartments offer

privacy in a luxurious environment, with wall to wall carpets and hugecurtained windows. Meals are provided.

Kalka Shimla Train Holiday Services:

In addition to the normal train services, a number of extra trains run

during the busy holiday seasons in India. This is usually from May to

July, September and October, and December and January.

The Rail Motor Car is also a temporary service that only operates for part of the year, to serve the holiday rush.

Kalka ± Shimla

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Kalka- Shimla Shivalik Deluxe Express:



Timetable

Trains from Kalka to Shimla run daily as follows:

Shivalik Deluxe Express - is timed to connect with the

Howrah-Kalka Mail train, which comes from Kolkata via

Delhi. It departs Kalka at 5.30 a.m and arrives in Shimla

at 10.15 a.m.

Himalayan Queen - connects with the Himalayan Queen

train from Nizammudin station in Delhi. It departs Kalka

at 12.10 p.m. and arrives in Shimla at 5.20 p.m.

However, in reality the journey can often take up to

seven hours.

Rail Motor Car - is for early risers! It departs Kalka at

5.10 a.m. and arrives at 9.35 a.m.

To Kalka, trains depart from Shimla in the evenings.

Kalka ± Shimla

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Kalka- Shimla Himalayan Queen:



Tariff

The train fares are as follows:

Shivalik Deluxe Express - 280 rupees one way.

Shivalik Queen - 790 rupees one way.

Shivalik Palace - 4,790 rupees from Kalka to Shimla and3,495 rupees from Shimla to Kalka. The fare is for the

whole carriage, and includes accommodation in two

retiring rooms at Shimla for the day and meals during the

journey.

Himalayan Queen - 167 rupees one way.

Rail Motor Car - 247 rupees one way.

Kalka ± Shimla

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Reservations

You can make a reservation for travel on the Shivalik

Deluxe Express, Himalayan Queen, and Rail Motor Car services on the Indian Railways website or at Indian

Railways booking offices. It's recommended that you

book your tickets as early as possible (up to 90 days in

advance), especially during the summer months from

April to June.

The Indian Railways codes for the stations are Kalka

"KLK" and Simla (no "h") "SML".

The Shivalik Queen and Palace can only be booked

though the Divisional Railway Manager's Office, RailVihar, Ambala. Ph: (91-171) 264-5500.

Kalka ± Shimla

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Overview

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) connects the town

of Mettupalayam with the hill station of Udagamandalam(Ootacamund or Ooty), in the Nilgiri Hills of southern India.

It is the only rack railway in India and uses the Abt (alternate

biting) rack and pinion system. In this system, between the two

conventional rails, there are two rack bars, out of step with each

other, on which the pinions of the locos and coaches 'climb' in a

similar manner as a person climbing a ladder using his feet

alternately.

Established in the early 19th century by the British as the

summer headquarters of the Chennai government, Ooty is now a

soothing place for visitors to escape the summer heat.

The historic railway line was completed in 1899, 45 years after

the first plans were drawn up.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was inscribed as World Heritage

Site by UNESCO in July 2005.

Nilgiri Mountain

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Nilgiri Mountain RailwayRack and Pinion System



Route

The 'Nilgiri Passenger' train covers a distance of 26 mi (41.8 km),

travels through 208 curves, 16 tunnels , and 250 bridges. Theuphill journey takes around 290 minutes (4.8 hours), and the

downhill journey takes 215 minutes (3.6 hours) It has the

steepest track in Asia with a maximum gradient of 8.33%.

Mettupalayam - 0 km, 1,069 ft (325.8 m) above sea level -

Junction with the 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) (Indian Gauge) line

from Coimbatore. Passengers cross the platform to board theNilgiri Passenger train (NMR). There is a small locomotive shed

here and also the carriage workshops for the line.

Leaving Mettupalayam, the line is adhesion worked and actually

drops for a short distance before crossing the Bhavani River,

after which it starts to climb gently.

Kallar - 8 km, 1,260 ft (384 m) - Closed as a passenger station,

this is where the rack rail begins. As the train leaves the station,

the gradient is 1 in 12 (8.33%).

Nilgiri Mountain

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



contd«

Adderly - Closed as a passenger station but is still a water stop.

Hillgrove - Block post and water stop, also has refreshments for

passengers.

Runneymede - Closed as a passenger station but is still a water stop.

Kateri Road - Closed as a passenger station, trains do not stop here.

Coonoor - main intermediate station on the line at site of the locomotive

workshops as well as the top end of the rack rail. Trains must reverse a

short distance before continuing their climb to Ooty.

Wellington

Aruvankadu

Ketti

Lovedale

From a short distance before Lovedale, the line descends into Ooty. Ooty -

46 km (28.6 mi), 7,228 ft (2,203.1 m).).

Nilgiri Mountain

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Nilgiri Mountain Railway AtLovedale and Ketti Station



Services

One toy train operates along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway

from Mettupalayam to Ooty. The engine is an 'X' Classsteam locomotive, made in Switzerland. It pulls quaint

blue and cream wooden carriages with large windows.

The engine is commonly changed for a diesel powered

one at Coonoor, to provide greater traction for the steep

climb up to Ooty.

Both first class and second class seating are offered on

the toy train, and it's worth buying a first class ticket to

have a more peaceful journey away from the crowds.

Nilgiri Mountain

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Nilgiri Mountain RailwaySteam Locomotive



Timetable

There's only one toy train departure daily. It leaves

Mettupalayam at 7.10 a.m. and arrives in Ooty at noon.Coming back, the train leaves Ooty at 3 p.m. and reaches

Mettupalayam at 6.35 p.m. The train is scheduled to

connect to the Nilgiri Express, which travels from Chennai

to Mettupalayam.

An additional toy train service does run during the peak

summer tourist season in April and May. It usually starts

from Mettupalayam at 9.30 a.m. More frequent train

services also run from Coonoor to Ooty.

The area receives rain from both the south-west andnorth-east monsoons, and this sometimes disrupts train

services.

Nilgiri Mountain

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations



Nilgiri Mountain RailwayCoonoor Station



Tariff

The train fare is 24 rupees in second class and 142

rupees in first class, one way.

Reservation

Reservations for travel on the toy train to Ooty can bemade at Indian Railways computerized reservation

counters, or on the Indian Railways website. It's advisable

to book as early as possible, particularly during peak

season, as the train fills up weeks in advance.

The station code for Mettupalayam is MTP, andUdagamandalam (Ooty) UAM.

Nilgiri Mountain

Railway:

Overview

Route

Services

Information

Timetable

Tariff

Reservations

SWOT ANALYSIS



SWOT ANALYSIS

Strength: They ride on narrow gauge railway

line. The wondrous miniature of rail

engineering.

Costs or fares are low.

Offers exotic scenic beauties.

These toy trains have been

collectively designated as World

Heritage site by UNESCO.

Weaknesses: Less passengers are accommodated

at a time. Internet facility is not available.

Food is provided only in 1st class.

Health facility is not available.

Steam engines are used in these toy

trains, which is not eco-friendly.

Opportunities: Railways can use them to develop in the

vast, yet unexplored picturesque locales of

india.

They are cost effective way of commute.

Most toy trains has been shifted from

steam to electric engine which is more

envt friendly

Many movies and videos can be shot

taking these as background

Threats: Rapid industrialization and its effect.

Rapid urbanization is populatingthese distant hilly areas.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has

been suffering from annual avg loss

of Rs. 4 crore for the past two years

and there have been thought in

Railway Ministry for shutting it down.



Photo Gallery



Darjeeling Himalayan RailwayLower Batasia Loop



Darjeeling Himalayan RailwayUpper Batasia Loop



Kalka ± Shimla Toy TrainPassenger Train: (Ordinary Fair : Rs 33, First Class Fair: Rs

173)



Kalka ± Shimla Toy TrainOrdinary Rail-Car (Fair: 216 Rs)



Kalka ± Shimla Toy TrainSteam Special at Taradevi



Fast Facts:

The World Heritage UNESCO recognition to three of the five Mountain

Railways of India has been stated as for being "outstanding examples of

bold, ingenious engineering solutions for the problem of establishing an

effective rail link through a rugged, mountainous terrain´. The Darjeeling

Himalayan Railway was recognized first in 1999, the Nilgiri Mountain

Railway followed suite as an extension to the site in 2005, and in 2008 the

Kalka±Shimla Railway was further added as an extension; and the threetogether have been titled as Mountain Railways of India under Criteria : ii, iv

under the region in the Asia-Pacific. The claims of the Matheran Railway, the

fourth hill line, is pending acceptance by the international body.

The Guinness Book on 'Rail Facts and Feats' included Kalka-ShimlaRailway as the greatest narrow gauge engineering achievement in India.



Endnote:

We just had a joyride on the mountainous

terrain of India by the way of this

presentation. These toy trains take us on a

ride of the scenic places and the classic

Indian feeling of the beauty of nature. If the

presentation which only had facts and figures

was so interesting, the trips will definitely bemore gripping. So, that definitely calls for a

tour on these toy trains«

Toy Trains I

Documents

Transcript of Toy Trains I