The famous Kalka-Shimla toy train will no longer stop at ten stations that are on the route at which it halted previously. This is being done to reduce travel time between the two destinations. It is important to note that this is being done temporarily and the authorities are open to feedback and change should this create any problems. Here are all the details that you need to know about this new update.
Kalka-Shimla Toy Train Removes 10 Stations From Route
In July and August, the route suffered quite a lot of damage because of incessant rainfall. According to an article recently published in The Indian Express, around 300 sites require repair owing to the heavy rains. In September, as many as six toy trains and a Rail Motor Car or RMC resumed operations on the route after extensive reparations.
Hence, in order to optimise the route and to reduce travel time between Kalka and Shimla, the authorities have taken the decision to eliminate around ten stations from the route. This decision is taken on a trial basis and therefore, should the feedback not be viable, the officials are open to changing it. What is more, the decision to not stop at certain stations was influenced by other factors.
These include passenger volume, distance between stations and length of tracks as well as sales of tickets. According to an official cited in the article, the replacement of a single-coach RMC with a seven-coach train will result in improved convenience for passengers who travel regularly. The Kalka-Shimla route serves as an important mode of transportation for the locals in addition to being a tourist attraction,
Also Read: Putani Express, Bengaluru’s First Toy Train Is All Set To Make A Comeback At Cubbon Park This March
Full List Of Stations Removed From The Route
The toy train will leave from Kalka at 3:45 AM and will reach Shimla by 8:55 AM and will not stop at the following stations:
- Kanoh
- Kathleeghat
- Shogi
- Tara Devi
From Shimla, it will leave at 10:55 AM and will reach Kalka by 4:35 PM. The toy train will not stop at the following stations on the return journey: –
- Gumman
- Kathleeghat
- Koti
- Kumarhatti
- Sanwara
- Taksal
By thus eliminating stations from the route, the travel time between Kalka and Shimla in the down direction has been reduced from five hours and 17 minutes to just four hours and 51 minutes. As per the officials cited in the article, this move is efficient because almost all the stations skipped in one direction are covered in the other, hence, hardly any region is left without connectivity.
Also Read: Twitter User Shares Scenic Mountain Railway Toy Trains List In India; How Many Have You Been On?
Have you ever travelled via this toy train? Would you like to, if given the opportunity? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
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