Mountain Railways of India: Facts at a Glance

In 1999, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and Kalka–Shimla Railway were all designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 1881, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway opened in West Bengal. In 1908, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a 46-kilometer metre-gauge single-track railway, was constructed. On November 9, 1903, the Kalka Shimla Railway’s 96-kilometer single track became operational.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was the first hill passenger railway, and it is still the best. Its design, which was completed in 1881, employs bold and innovative engineering solutions to the problem of building a functional rail link across a breathtakingly beautiful mountainous region. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a 46-kilometer metre-gauge single-track railway in Tamil Nadu State, was first suggested in 1854, but work did not begin until 1891, and it was completed in 1908. This railway, which rose from 326 metres to 2,203 metres, was the most advanced technology available at the time. The Kalka Shimla Railway, a 96-kilometer single-track functioning rail link created in the mid-nineteenth century to serve the highland town of Shimla, is representative of the technological and material efforts to disenclave mountain inhabitants through the railway. All three railways are still running at full speed.

Mountain Railways of India

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway-

Darjeeling is known for its vast meadows, tea gardens, the magnificent Kanchenjunga, lush rolling hills, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The narrow-gauge railway was founded in 1881 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Between Darjeeling to New Jalpaiguri, it travels a distance of 78 kilometres. The train travels via serpentine rails, switchbacks, hairpin curves, tunnels, and bridges, providing for a memorable experience.

Matheran Hill Railway-

Your ride from Neral to Matheran will be unforgettable thanks to the Matheran Hill Railway. This toy train, which first ran in 1907, features a sequence of switchbacks, hairpin twists, and a tunnel known as “One Kiss,” all of which add to the excitement of the ride. The railway is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and will shortly be included to India’s Mountain Railways. On the train, there are vendors selling snacks and cold beverages.

The Kalka Shimla Railway-

The Kalka-Shimla Railway is not only a cost-effective method to get to Shimla, but it also provides a spectacular view of the Himalayan mountains. The 96.54-kilometer narrow gauge runs from the plains to the British Raj’s summer capital. The Kalka-Shimla toy train was inscribed to the World Heritage Site of India’s Mountain Railways in 1903 by UNESCO. This lovely little train travels through 103 tunnels as well as over 800 bridges and viaducts. This is most likely one of the most enjoyable train rides you’ll ever have.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway:-

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 46-kilometer train route that runs across the state of Tamil Nadu’s steep topography. The steam-powered train is a sign of well-preserved history as well as one of India’s most exhilarating toy trains. This single-track railway climbs from 1,070 feet to 7,228 feet, which was a feat of engineering at the time but is no longer considered a masterpiece. The train, which was built in 1908 and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, passes through rugged terrain, beautiful ravines, lush tea farms, and dense woods before arriving in Ooty.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) is a British-built 1,000 mm (3 ft 3.38 in) metre gauge railway in Tamil Nadu, India. It is India’s sole rack railway, operated by the Southern Railway. The railway’s fleet of steam locomotives is the backbone of its operation. On the segment between Coonoor and Udhagamandalam, NMR converted to diesel locomotives. Locals and visitors led a movement in this sector to bring back steam locomotives.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was designated as an addition to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2005. Mountain Railways of India was the name given to the facility.

Longest railway line in India

Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari Vivek Express-

The 15905/15906 weekly train is now the Indian Subcontinent’s longest train route. It connects Dibrugarh in Assam, North-East India, with Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India’s southernmost point.

is a weekly Indian Railways Vivek Express train that runs from Dibrugarh, Assam, to Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India’s southernmost state. The railway travels 4,218.6 kilometres (2,621.3 miles) in 74 hours and 35 minutes, passing through eight Indian states. This train has the distinction of being India’s longest train route in terms of both distance and time, as well as the world’s 24th longest train service. Along its course, the train makes 58 stops. The Vivek express also has a special place in Indian railway history as the last train to stop running after the COVID19 outbreak and consequent national lockdown in March 2020. 

Conclusion

With over 160 years of history, Indian Railways (IR) offers a diverse range of tangible and intangible heritage. Within India’s cultural heritage, IR holds a unique position. IR has worked hard over the years to maintain a consistent and concentrated approach to conserving its industrial and living legacy and ensuring that it is passed down to future generations unharmed. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999), Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2005), Kalka Shimla Railway (2008), and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites owned by Indian Railways (2004). Matheran Light Railway and Kangra Valley Railway are two additional projects in the pipeline or on the tentative list.

Today, Indian Railways operates 34 museums, heritage parks, and galleries across the country to provide tourists with a unique and comprehensive experience of India’s railway past. The National Rail Museum in New Delhi, as well as the Regional Rail Museums in Chennai, Mysore, Howrah, and Nagpur, are well-known tourist attractions in their respective regions.

About 230 steam locomotives, 110 vintage coaches, and wagons have also been maintained by Indian Railways for public display at significant locations like museums, heritage parks, and so on. Many of these rolling stocks are over a century old, and they conjure up images of glory from the past in the minds of visitors.