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The Shimla train

By P. K. Bhardwaj

NEW DELHI Nov. 7. The Kalka-Shimla Railway (KSR), built to connect the then summer capital of India situated at an altitude of 2076 metres, completes a hundred years on November 9, 2003.

Laid out on a 96 km long narrow gauge track that passes through 107 tunnels and across more than 800 bridges and viaducts, it is one of the most beautiful hill railways in India. It was considered the "crown jewel" of the Indian National Railways during British times.

KSR offers a panoramic feast to travellers, who get to experience the grandeur of the Himalayas from the Shivalik foothills at Kalka to important points such as Dharampur, Solan, Kangra Ghat, Taradevi, Bargo, Salogra, Summer Hill Shimla and beyond up to the silvery snow line near the towering peaks.

Travel by rail on this line (in picture, in Shimla) has unparalleled charm. Operating here are the Rail Motor Car, the Shivalik Deluxe Express (popularly known as the Toy Shatabdi), the Deluxe Motor Car and the Shivalik Palace.

Recently, an original steam locomotive on this line was restored for Heritage Tourism trips and excursions. This small Railway has witnessed a plethora of technology changes with steam, petrol and diesel powering the trains.

The KSR is considered to be a narrow gauge engineering marvel. This line has contributed to the speedy development of Shimla.

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