Kalka-Shimla toy train route does away with 10 stations to reduce travel time

Under the new schedule, a passenger train departs from Kalka at 3.45 am, reaching Shimla at 8.55 am without stopping at Kanoh, Kathlighat, Shogi, and Tara Devi.

toy train The decision to omit stops was influenced by factors such as ticket sales, passenger rush, distance between stops, and the length of the railway track. (Express File Image)

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In A bid to enhance efficiency and reduce travel time between Kalka and Shimla, ten railway stations out of the total 18 stoppages along the historic Kalka-Shimla railway track have been excluded. The excluded stations are Kanoh, Kathleeghat, Shogi, Taradevi, Kathlighat, Kumarhatti, Sanwara, Koti, Gumman, and Taksal. The 92km-long UNESCO-protected British-era railway track faced severe damage due to incessant rain in July and August, with over 300 sites requiring repair work. After extensive restoration, six toy trains and a Rail Motor Car (RMC) resumed operations in September.

Under the new schedule, a passenger train departs from Kalka at 3.45 am, reaching Shimla at 8.55 am without stopping at Kanoh, Kathlighat, Shogi, and Tara Devi. On the return journey, the same train leaves Shimla at 10.55 am, arriving in Kalka at 4.35 pm without stopping at Kathlighat, Kumarhatti, Sanwara, Koti, Gumman, and Taksal. Beyond serving as a tourist destination and heritage attraction, the Kalka-Shimla track is a vital transport link for locals.

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Mandeep Singh Bhatia, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Ambala, said, “We have rationalized the timetable to reduce the total travel time between Kalka and Shimla. The excluded stations from the first train are covered by the second train, and vice versa. The replacement of a single coach Rail Motor Car with a full 7-coach train enhances passenger convenience. This adjustment allows ample block margin for track maintenance. The decision to exclude certain stops is a trial, and we remain open to feedback and suggestions”.

The decision to omit stops was influenced by factors such as ticket sales, passenger rush, distance between stops, and the length of the railway track. The average running time between Shimla and Kalka in the down direction has been reduced from 5.17 hours to 4.51 hours. This modification is on a trial basis, and the railway authorities plan to evaluate the results before making further decisions on stoppages.

Despite the reduction in stoppages, the number of train services between Kalka and Shimla remains at six services each way, post-restoration. The rationalisation of stops aims to streamline services and facilitate faster movement along the Kalka-Shimla route.

First published on: 21-11-2023 at 07:10 IST

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