Getting there

 

By Train

The Kalka-Shimla Railway built to connect, the summer capital of India in 1903 at an altitude of 2076 meters offers a panoramic feast to experience the grandeur 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 and beyond up to the silvery snow line near the towering peaks.

The 96.54 kilometer line, built on a 2 feet six inches gauge, was opened for traffic November 9, 1903.Because of the high capital and maintenance cost, coupled with peculiar working conditions, the Kalka - Shimla Railway was allowed to charge fares that were higher than the prevailing tariffs on other lines. However, even this was not good enough to sustain the company and the Government had to purchase it on January 1, 1906.

Spectacular scenery along the whole route, and the marvels of it's construction, keeps the traveler on this line spell bound. On leaving Kalka, 656 meters above sea level, the railway enters the foothills and immediately commences it's climb.

Kalka-Shimla-Railway runs through 102 tunnels, some of which have hoary tales to tell. For instance, the longest tunnel at Barog, named after the engineer in charge of construction, bears the blood of it's creator who apparently committed suicide after making a mistake in laying the alignment. This tunnel is 1143.61 meters long and remained the second longest tunnel on Indian Railways for a long time. It is a straight tunnel, passing through fissured sand stone.

Trains From New Delhi:-

Train No.	Train Name	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Departure Station
2011	Kalka Shatabdi	7:40AM	12:00PM	New Delhi
4095	Himalayan Queen	5:50 AM	11:20 AM	New Delhi
2311	Howrah Delhi  Kalka Mail	10:00 PM	4:45 A.M.	Old Delhi
2005	Shatabdi Exp.	5:15PM	9:15 PM	New Delhi

 

Trains from Kalka to Shimla:-

Train No.	Train Name	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Departure Station
241	Shivalik Deluxe Exp.	5:30 AM	11:15 AM	Kalka
251	Kalka Shimla Exp	6:00 AM	11:00AM	Kalka
255	Himalayan Queen	12:10 PM	5:20 PM	Kalka
1KS	Kalka Sml. Passenger	4:00 AM	9:15 AM	Kalka
101	Rail Motor Car	11:35 AM	15:40 PM	Kalka
253	Holiday Special	6:30 AM	11:55 AM	Kalka
257	Holiday Special	12:45 PM	6:30 PM	Kalka

 

Flights starting from Delhi

By Air: Nearest airport is Jubbarhatti - 39 kms

Flight No.	Airline	Destination	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Frequency
DN-549	Air Deccan	Shimla	10:15	11:35	Daily
JA-221	Jagson	Shimla	08:00 a.m.	09:00 a.m.	Mon, Wed & Fri

 

 

 

By Road: Chandigarh- 132 kms, Kullu- 236 kms, Manali- 276 kms, Delhi- 358 kms.