INDIAN RAIL : List of Heritage Trains in India

 List of Heritage Trains in India

Heritage rails are a little more than just tourist attractions. These trains and routes are integral parts of the history of the land. These heritage trains are preserved to create a nostalgic feel. The heritage railways have modified their trains and routes for safety purposes, technical advancements and requirements.

Top Heritage Train in India :

1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway :

The settlement at Darjeeling really began in 1828 with British interest. By 1835, it was separated from Sikkim for establishing a Sanatorium for the invalid servants of the East India Company. It then consisted of a monastery on observatory hill clustered with about 20 huts and a population of about 100 people. Planning began in 1839, to lay out the Darjeeling town and construct a hill road connecting Siliguri, Pankhabari, Kurseong and Darjeeling. At the same time, evolution of hotels began, the first being The Darjeeling Family Hotel’s, followed by other hotels. By 1840, Darjeeling town had about 30 buildings and a few respectable houses.

In the year 1878, Franklin Prestage, Agent of the Eastern Bengal Railway, foresaw the utility of a rail link between the hills of Darjeeling and the plains. His scheme was mainly driven by hard economic considerations viz., the huge difference in the cost of essential commodities between Darjeeling, and Siliguri, the need to carry out tea for export and the inability of the existing road to handle the growing traffic. He submitted a scheme for the construction of a two feet gauge railway line from Siliguri to Darjeeling.

In a detailed scheme submitted to the Government of Bengal and approved by the Lt. Governor Sir Ashley Eden, he pointed out how a railway could substantially reduce the cost of transport between Darjeeling and the plains. Rice, which sold at  98 a ton at Siliguri, Cost  238 at Darjeeling! He was also convinced that the cost of construction of the 2 feet gauge rail-line would not be prohibitive, and locomotives, small but powerful enough to climb steep gradients, could be designed

Prestage received final sanction for his project on April 8, 1879 and formed the Darjeeling Steam Tramway Co. However, the idea of operating the line as a steam tramway was soon abandoned and, on September 15, 1881, the company adopted the designation of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Co. (DHR), which remained effective until it was taken over by the Government of free India on October 20, 1948. Throughout that period Gillanders Artbuthnot & Co., one of the oldest managing houses in Calcutta, handled its financial, legal and purchasing interests.

This rail is also called as the toy train. This railway travels between New Jalpaiguri station and Darjeeling station. Started in end of 19th century, this train covers six zigzag routes and five large loops to get to the higher altitude. This route was declared as a world heritage site in 1999. This is one of the most famous tourist attractions of the country.

This narrow gauge railway runs between Shimla and Kalka. This route is famous for the grand view of the hill regions and the villages. Built during the end of 19th century, this train was extensively used by the British rulers of India. In 2007, this railway was in line to be recognized as a heritage site. In 2008, it was introduced into the line of prestigious mountain railways heritage site. Babu Bhalku rail museum has displays and collections explaining the development and history of this rail line.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

2. Kalka-Shimla Railway :

Magic Of The Himachal Himalayas One must remember, the Kangra valley is not one place in particular. It happens to be the name given to the entire region that lies between the Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas to the north and the last strangling foothills to the south. So, roughly speaking, this talk is about a slim rectangular belt running 90 miles in length and 30 miles in breadth through the mountains.

The section has 864 bridges, only one of which is a 60 feet plate girder span and a steel truss. The others are viaducts with multi-arched galleries like the ancient Roman aqueducts. Bridge No. 493, historically known as the "Arch Gallery", situated between Kandaghat and Kanoh stations, is an arch bridge in three stages, constructed with stone masonry that stands good even today.

KSR 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.

This narrow gauge railway runs between Shimla and Kalka. This route is famous for the grand view of the hill regions and the villages. Built during the end of 19th century, this train was extensively used by the British rulers of India.

In 2007, this railway was in line to be recognized as a heritage site. In 2008, it was introduced into the line of prestigious mountain railways heritage site. Babu Bhalku rail museum has displays and collections explaining the development and history of this rail line.

3. Matheran Hill Railway :

This toy train is considered to be one of the most historic mountain railways and was founded by Abdul Hussain Peerbhoy. The founder is an entrepreneur based in Mumbai. This train had its first run in the year 1907. This happened after almost 3 years after the railway lines were constructed. Though the founder is Abdur Peerbhoy, however, this was financed by his father, Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy.

This narrow gauge train runs in Maharashtra, between Neral and Matheran. It runs along the famous Western Ghats. This train is yet to be added to the heritage site list. The rail route is 21 km long and has been in operation since 1907.

matheran-hill-railway

Interesting Facts :

1.The most interesting fact about the Matheran Hill Railway Toy train is that all the stations have solar power. There are also LED lights and fans along with energy plants and winds. The LED lights and fans help you to save a lot of energy.

2 Matheran, unlike the other hill stations do not have a large mountain range. It is in fact the smallest hill station of the country and covers an area of 7 kms. The total population of this hill station is barely 6000.

3. Matheran, unlike the other hill stations do not have a large mountain range. It is in fact the smallest hill station of the country and covers an area of 7 kms. The total population of this hill station is barely 6000.

4. This is the only place in Maharashtra where you to get toy trains.

5. The literacy rate of this place is 75% which is actually higher than the literacy rate of India.

6 This is a place where there is very heavy rainfall and the average temperature of this place ranges between 32 degree centigrade and 16 degree centigrade.

In 2012, a few carriages with additional comforts like sofa, LCD screen showing passing sceneries and others were added to it. The train starts in Neral, closer to Mumbai. It ascends the Matheran hill by going through 2 large zig-zags and a big bend before completing its 140 hours journey.

Train Services :

This toy train is quite small and has a passenger carrying capacity of just about 100. There is a first class carriage along with another three second class carriages. The first class carriage is for people who want to enjoy a relaxing as well as a comfortable journey. The seats in this particular carriage are quite cozy and also padded. There are also shuttle train services that operate between Aman Lodge which is situated just next to the car park in Dasturi and Matheran.

Trains from Mumbai to Bangalore

4. Nilgiri Mountain Railway :

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a meter-gauge single- track railway in Tamil Nadu State, 46km long. Its construction was first proposed in 1854, but due to the difficulty of the mountainous location, the work only started in 1891 being completed in 1908.

The Madras Railway broad gauge line from Madras to Calicut in 1862, a 26 mile, broad gauge branch from Podanur to Mettupalaiyam, the 'Mettupalaiyam Branch Line' was opened to traffic in 1873 and plans discussed to extend this into the Nilgiri Hills - the "Blue Mountains".

In 1885, the Nilgiri Railway Company was formed with construction beginning in 1891. Initially, it was intended to adopt the Rigi rack system but eventually the Abt rack system was chosen. Horace Bell continued to act in a private capacity as Consulting Engineer in London, he had in 1894 retired from his position in India as Consulting Engineer for the State Railway Board.

In 1896, a new company was formed with a guarantee (3% return during the construction period) from the Government of India(GoI) following the failure of the 1885 company.

In 1899 the first section, from Mettupalaiyam to Coonoor (including 12 miles of rack), was opened to working by the Madras Railway. In 1903 the GoI purchased the line and contracted its working to the Madras Railway.

When the Madras Railway was merged into the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway in 1907, the NMR contract was awarded to the South Indian Railway(SIR). The railway was included as part of the 'SIR System Metre Gauge'.

Construction of the extension from Coonoor to Ootacamund was completed by the GoI Public Works Department in 1908,

This is one of the common heritage trains of the country, right after the Darjeeling toy train. This route is operated since 1908. This is the only route with rack railway line in the country. Since 2005, this train has been added to the world heritage site list under mountain railways of India section.

The route runs from Mettupalayam to Udhagamandalam (Ooty). This route takes 4.8 hours. There is one train each way, every day. However, during the peak summer season of April and May, four trains run each way, every day. Read more about the Complete Guide On Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train to Ooty.

Nilgiri-Mountain-Railway

5. Calcutta Tramways Company :

This is a local tram system running through the city of Kolkata in West Bengal. This is the oldest electrical tram system of the continent, which is still in use. It is serving its purpose since 1902.

In 19th century, this tram system was operated by horses. Later, steam locomotives were used for the purpose. By the beginning of 20th century, electrical engines were used.

Today, there are seven tram depots in Kolkata at Raja bazar, Belgachhia, Gariahat, Park Circus, Khidirpur, Tollygunge, Khidirpur and Kalighat. The Tollygunge and Raja bazar are the most famous and largest depots of all.

Calcutta-Tramways-Company

6. Palace on Wheels Train India

This is one of the earliest luxury trains of the country operating in and around Rajasthan. Launched in 2009, this train is the modified versions of the ancient train carriages used by the royals of India to travel. The train has many luxurious facilities like restaurants, bars, spa, lounge room, laundry services and so on. The train takes 7 nights and 8 days to complete its trip, stopping for excursion at each of the following destinations like Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra. The train journey starts and ends in Delhi. The excursions are also conducted by the train team.

Make sure to pre-book your train tickets, especially during the peak tourism season. Indian Railways is famous for being crowded and in high demand, throughout the year.

Palace on Wheels