Himalayan Queen
Journey through the majestic Himalayas, through 102 tunnels and over 864 bridges as you relax in comfortable surroundings on your voyage to Shimla. High in the densely forested foothills of the Himalayas. Construction was started in 1897 and completed in 1903, this compact train, one of the steepest in the world, traverses a mountainous route through dense forests, offering magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. The route was also included in the UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
On clear days the Himalayas are visible on the distant horizon, though much of the action is centred around the beautiful private gardens, fine colonial houses. Shimla is a land of wildlife-rich valleys, snow-dusted peaks, and shimmering lakes. The hill resort was once the holiday capital of former British India, though it remains a popular destination for those seeking to escape the heat of the sultry Indian summer.
Life on board the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train
The narrow-gauge railway is an engineering marvel. Travelling at a leisurely pace between 10 to 22 kilometres per hour, you’ll have ample opportunity to take photographs and absorb the sights and sounds around you.
Carriages
As a passenger of the Himalayan Queen’s Chair Car class, you’ll enjoy fixed cushion seating and picture windows to soak in the astonishing views. Though lacking luxuries, the Himalayan Queen offers a social and relaxed experience as she travels at a gentle average speed of 18 kilometres per hour.
The train’s narrow-gauge size means that carriages are more compact than the broad-gauge Shatabdi Express, which you’ll take from Delhi to Kalka.
Food & Drink
Depending on which class you choose, there may be a refreshment car during the journey. At every station, the train halts for some time, so passengers can relish the taste of local food along with enjoying tea and snacks on the way.
The Journey from Kalka to Shimla
Along the 96km journey, you’ll enjoy astonishing views from the train as you pass through stations at ever-increasing altitudes. The maximum stoppage time is at Barog Station, where the train will rest for approximately 10 minutes.
- Kalka
- Dharampur
- Barog
- Shimla
Kalka-Shimla Toy Train Image Gallery
Browse Kalka-Shimla / Himalayan Queen’s fabulous image gallery below and discover more about life on board.
Kalka-Shimla Toy Train FAQs
Where does the Himalayan Queen route begin and end?
The journey departs from Kalka and travels to Shimla, the train journey also runs in reverse.
What is the dress code on board the Himalayan Queen?
A casual and relaxed dress code is recognised on board as the journey is fairly long, so we’d recommend opting for clothes that will keep you comfortable and cool.
What is included on board the Himalayan Queen?
The Himalayan Queen Toy Train is a standard train with first- and Chair Car class carriages. Food isn’t provided but can be purchased at the nine stations it stops at along the way.
Do you sleep on the Himalayan Queen trip?
No, there are no cabins on board and as it’s a day trip journey, you will not spend the night on board.
What is the train number of Himalayan Queen?
Himalayan Queen Train Number is 52455.- Northbound
Shimla Kalka Toy Train – Train Number is 52458.- Southbound
How often does the Himalayan Queen run?
The Himalayan Queen runs every day from Sunday through Saturday.
What is the travel route and time of Himalayan Queen?
Himalayan Queen took 4h 50m to cover total distance of 94km between Kalka and Shimla.
Shimla Kalka Toy Train took 5h 40m to cover total distance of 94km between Shimla and Kalka.
Where’s the best place to sit on board?
To enjoy your toy train journey to the fullest, make sure to sit on the right side of the train to overlook the best views whenever you’re travelling from Kalka to Shimla and on the left side when heading back home.