Kalka- Shimla Special Trains

Kim CJ

Our family are planning on taking a special trip from Kalka to Shimla. Indian rail informs me there is one train up and back each day; the Shivalik Delux Express.

I was hoping to take the glass topped "Delux Rail Motor Car" one way. Or alternatively hire out the Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach (which apparently can get hooked onto the Shivalik Delux Express) one way, or up and back. No one I have spoken to knows anything about these. I have tried to contact Indian Trends Tour Projects, who indicate on their website that they are agents to book these trains, don't seem to be contactable by phone or email. Do you know if these trains are currently operating (for July 19th-22nd, 2006)and if so how I book for them?

Are there any trains from Shimla to Kalka, that would arrive in Kalka before 12md? The Shivalik Delux Express arrives at 2220.

Thank you for the support and great tips. Cheers Kim CJ

JCGerms

Hi folks,

Sorry, but I have an additional question to the above one. Does anybody know what time the toy train is running from Kalka to Shimla? I will arrive in Kalka at noon and wonder whether I have to spend a night in Kalka or if it is possible to get to Shimla that day. Is teh toy train worth the trip or is a bus trip just a great?

Thank you very much for your kind help.

Jochen

shere

I know there is a train at 5:30am another at 6:00am and one at about 12:30 (give or take half an hour). There may be a train between these times as well. Try a search at http://www.irctc.co.in for full details.

haddojetty

JCGerms, the Kalka-Shimla toy train is so delightful!! It puffs its way up and up and the stations are the cutest ever with the flowers and little children running alongside waving at you!! I don't know about the times thoug as I went on it a few years ago now. I would say yes it is worth it definitely but it does take quite a long time and can be a little uncomfortable. The Delhi-Kalka train is something of nothing though-just an average train (too westernised for me).

unclelach

The train is a delight with plenty of time, six hours, to enjoy the view. The scheduled trains were fully booked when I travelled.

TIP: The train passes through numerous tunnels so avoid the leading carriages on the uphill journey as diesel fumes enter these at every tunnel. On the downhill run the loco(s) has little load so fumes are not a problem.

Kim CJ

Indian Rail has told me over the phone that the 241 Shivalik Delux Express is the only train travelling to Shimla from Kalka departing 0530. I was speaking to the "Special Trains" department, so perhaps that person didn't realise I was trying to establish all the trains travelling up to Shimla (for the same reason as you). But as far as Toy Trains go, this does seem to be the only train. I am going to the station tomorrow to book, so I'll let you know what they tell me in person.

Anyhow, I'm still keen to hear from anyone who might know of the glass roofed Delux Rail Motor Car, or the Tourist Coach. I can't wait to take this journey with my children, but a glass roof would be icing on the cake.

JCGerms

Hi Kim JC,

it would be great if you can get more details on how many departures at what time there are towards Shimla. Well if I can't get a train I hope that there are buses going to Shimla as well even more frequently than the train and maybe even faster

Thanks to all of you for your help.

Jochen

Kim CJ

Howdy JCGerms, I have checked at several places, including Bangalore City Railway Station and also a reputable agent just outside that station (wish I'd known he was there when I was becoming acquainted with the system to book my 5 trains). There is only one train that runs to Kalka each day and that is the toy train "Shivalik Delux Express" 241 to Kalka at 0530 arriving 1050 Shimla, and returning 242 leaving Shimla at 1740 and arriving Kalka at 2220 (guess it will be dark, so no view!). Cheers, Kim CJ

JCGerms

Hi Kim,

thanks a billion for the information . That's more than useful. Well I guess I have to make a little ajustment to my plans then.
If you, by any chance, come across the Hotel Dalziel or Dalziel Hotel at the Mall in Shimla it would be great if you could get their email address.

I wish you a great and safe trip.

Jochen

sachin1313

Find below train for Kalka - Shimla.

KLK SML PASS 04:00 09:20
SHIVALK DLX EXP 05:30 10:15
KALKA SIMLA EXP 06:00 11:00
HIMALYAN QUEEN 12:10 17:20

These all train run daily.

RGds,
Sachin

shere

delziel@sancharnet.in

Thats what he told me last week. I tried dalziel@sancharnet.in but it bounced back. The delziel@sancharnet.in has not bounced back but still waiting for a reply. Might just use Hotel Holiday home if Dalziel cannot be bothered to reply to an email.

mani

The email for Delziel never works.

Sorry but I had the same experiance and dint want to pay in advance while booking. We took a chance and did not book. went there on arrival and were shown two options their deluxe accomodation in the main bldg and the budget one in the annexe next door. Try the mail again and you may just get a reply.
delziel@sancharnet.in

best of luck

For Kalka mail, we did it in the end of may and took the down train from shimla to kalka in the afternoon, it gets very crowded but is worth all the trouble. My son counted each and every one of the tunnels and enjoyed the trip very much. We did cross the special single car thing on the way down and were wondering what was that.

the Deluxe trains are anything but that. our co-passengers had gone up to shimla in the deluxe and do not recommed it they found the second class of the shimla kalka more comfortable.

hope that you are able to go in that glass topped coach and enjoy your trip. do post your experiance.

regards

Mani

Anna_N

Here is some info on the Special TOY trains from Kalka to Shimla. Can anyone comment about their experience on any of these? Great, dud, worth the cost?

KALKA- SHIMLA (SPECIAL TRAINS)

Shivalik Queen Express: cabins of 2 x 2 couples - meals, big windows, honeymoon market, Rs 750 per couple.
Shivalik Palace Tourist Coach: 241SP -(single coach attached to back of regular train) - 6 passengers only, couches, fridge, dining table, folding beds, meal at Barog, sound system Rs 4,850 for car.
Shivalik Deluxe Express: 120 passengers, Rs 340 per person.
Shivalike Deluxe Rail Motor Car: single car - 14 passengers - glass roof - Rs 340 per person.

Not much info, but only site I can find on these trains is:www.indianrail.gov.in
Goto "Trains"
Drop down box - goto "Special Hill"
Goto "Shimla"

Anna

shere

I got the Shivalik Deluxe Express (5:30am departure from Kalka) a few weeks ago in AC chair class.

The train stopped briefly at Barog for a pitt stop. Food was loaded on board and served soon after. At the start of the journey hot drinks together with biscuits were served. They also gave out a 1itre bottle of mineral water. The food was good.

The staff on the train were very courteous and polite.

The best thing about this journey is the views.

The only negative point was that we were in coach 4 and when the trian entered tunnels you got to breathe in diesel fumes. I guess the further back your coach is the better.

Anna_N

Thanks Shere

Do the seats on this train swivel or face each other? Or do they all face the front? Was it Rs 340 or abouts?