Shivalik Deluxe vs. other trains from Kalka to Shimla - Need advice

Hi guys,

I am going on honeymoon to Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala in June 2010... I already have started another thread seeking advise on how to plan my itinerary. But I have decided on how I will be reaching Shimla, and that will be via combination for flight and trains.. I am coming from Ahmedabad, so plan to take flight from Ahmedabad to Delhi, and then take the Howrah Deli Kalka Mail to Kalka which will reach Kalka at 4:40 a.m. (if on time).. This fits my itinerary well as I can avoid an overnight stay in Delhi.. in the morning, I have two options for travel between Kalka and Shimla.. there is a Shivalik Deluxe train (which supposedly is a connecting train to Howrah mail, so there is no chance to miss the train if Howrah mail gets delayed between Delhi-Kalka), and there are two another train “Kalka Simla Exp” and “Rail Motor”

Now I have read about Shivalik Deluxe that is a very special train with wall-to-wall carpeting and in-coach entertainment as well as morning breakfast and other such facilities.. It also has just 1 stop on the way.. But the problem here is that for the date I desire to make a booking (June 2nd week), the status is waiting list 25 onwards and am not sure if there is a chance that this will get confirmed..

And I am unable to gather info on “Rail Motor” and “Kalka Simla Exp”, so guys, are these trains similar to Shivalik Deluxe in the sense that do they have same nice ambience and air-conditioned coaches and wall-to-wall carpeting and neat and clean coaches/facilities? I am asking this because it is my honey-moon so I want to make it special.. And guys, since “Rail Motor” is at 5:10 a.m., will I be cutting it too tight as there is only 30 mins time difference..

Your promp advise will be highly appreciable as I have to make the bookings asap in order to get confirmed seats.


Thanks


Rahul

I read (on the net) a few days ago about a 'honeymoon carriage', I just assumed it was that dinky little (10-12 seat) carriage that's been used for years, but I'll go and have another look for the article, I only read the headline and not the story.

More later.

Here it is.

Love on track - on Kalka-Shimla train

Hi stranger333,

Have a look at this post - Kalka-Simla Toy train - Shivalik Deluxe Seating Arrangement

Also this is a very good thread - At Kalka, does the Motor Rail Car wait for the Howrah-Kalka Mail to arrive?

For other tourist trains and the contact details of the same, refer to this snap, which shows the bill board at Shimla station by NR - it provides the various tourist trains run on demand and the conditions/costs for the same, along with the contact detail of the concerned Railway official. These trains are what specified in the article that Steven linked.

Hi Steven... this sounds really interesting.. any idea how can I book this? Considering that we are four people (2 couples), I can book one entire coach for me and it would be awesome.. I tried to check on irctc and everywhere else but couldn't find Shivalik Queen anywhere

You can also book the First Class in 251 Kalka-Shimla Express. It departs after Shivalik. But Shivalik is better. The rail motor car runs on booking...if there is adequate passengers/you pay the adequate fee...(complimentary meal included with a stop at Barog like Shivalik)...it has no fixed schedule. It is like booking a taxi on rails.

Hi... how can I book tickets for Shivalik Queen?? Considering we are two couples, will we get a private coach for ourselves?? I read that the fare per couple is Rs. 750, but can't figure out how to book it... Pls help

Thanks.

stranger333, read my previous post (post # 4 of this thread) - this has link to a picture, whihc shows all such tourist trains which runs subject to availability of a minimum no. of passengers. The same pic also has contact information of the Stn. Supdt's. Hope that helps!

Hi Indracal.. thanks for the reply.. I had already looked at those links the day you posted them.. and I have been trying to call on the number given.. the no. for Shimla Queen Suptd wasn't working initially, so I added a 2 in front of it and then it went through, but no one picked up from the other end.. and I have tried almost 10 times by now, but no one is picking up on that number..

Few more contact details for you in the link below, includes some mobile numbers also!

http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/ind...ial_kalka.html

I hope that these work for you ! Let us know how it goes.

hi bhaswaran,
how is First Class of Kalka-Shimla Express? Does it wait for Howrah Delhi Kalka Mail to arrive? do u have any pic of First Class cabin of this train? any pantry available?

Photos of the coaches on the Shivalik Deluxe are here

Kalka-Simla Toy train - Shivalik Deluxe Seating Arrangement

Thanks Dave!!

However, I am looking for pics of Kalka-Shimla Express which leaves kalka at 6 am after Shivalik Deluxe. I have got 15, 16 as waiting in Shivalik Deluxe which I am not sure whether it will be confirmed or not. So, I have booked 2 confirmed tickets in Kalka-Shimla Express(52453).

By any chance, do you have any idea how is the First Class of Kalka-Shimla Express? Any pic?

Sorry. My mistake. I don't have any photos of the other train and I haven't seen any on India Mike. According to indiarailinfo there is no Pantry Car on this train.

ohk... np. I have myself not seen any. Any idea if it waits for kalka mail from delhi to arrive?