Driver's Eye View (India) - Kalka Shimla Railway Part 1 - Kalka to Sonwara

The 2 ft 6 in (762mm) 96.6 km long narrow-gauge Kalka to Shimla Railway located in North India, climbs steadily from Kalka where the line shares a station with Indian Railways broad gauge trains. The line to Shimla offers breath taking views of the mountains and villages clinging precariously to the steep slopes. The line was constructed between 1898 to 1903 under the direction of Herbert Septimus Harington to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the rest of the Indian rail system.
The first locomotives were manufactured by the Sharp Stewart Company. As train weights increased larger locomotives manufactured by the Hunslet Engine Company were introduced. Diesel locomotives followed in 1955 supplemented by diesel-hydraulic locomotives from 1970 onwards.
On 8th July 2008, UNESCO recognised the special importance of the Kalka-Shimla Railway by including it in "Mountain Railways of India World Heritage Site" along with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
Shimla (origanally spelt “Simla”) is located at 7,116 feet (2,169m) above sea level in the Himalayan foothills, it was settled by the British shortly after the first Anglo-Gurkha war. The idea of connecting Shimla by rail was raised by a correspondent to the Delhi gazette in November 1847.
Shimla became the summer capital of British India and in 1864 it became the headquarters of the Indian army. This gave rise to a situation whereby it was necessary to transfer the entire government from Calcutta and Shimla and back to Calcutta by horse and ox drawn carts.
By 1891 the 5 ft 6 in (1,676mm) broad gauge line between Delhi and Kalka had opened, making the construction of a branch line up to Shimla a feasible proposition.
Based on two early surveys made in 1884 and 1885, a project report was submitted to the government of British India in 1887. The route was surveyed again in 1892 and 1893 resulting in four further schemes being considered - two adhesion worked and two with sections operated using a rack system, eventually an all adhesion line was chosen as the preferred option
Construction of the railway using a gauge of 2 ft (610mm) was started by the privately funded Delhi-Ambala-Kalka Railway Company following the signing of a contract between the secretary of state and the company on 29th June 1898. The contract originally specified that the line would be constructed without any financial aid or guarantee from the government, although the government provided the land free of charge. The estimated cost of 8,678,500 rupees doubled by the time the line was opened. Chief Engineer Herbert Septimus Harington project managed the construction undertaken by Chief Contractor Sujan Singh Hadaliwale.
The 95.68 km (59.45mi) line opened for traffic on 9th November 1903, it was further extended from Shimla to Shimla Goods depot, now the site of a railway museum on the 27th June 1909 making it 96.60 km (60.02 miles) long.
The British military had concerns about the choice of two feet for the KSR's rail gauge and following a meeting that recognised their concerns, a decision was reached recommending that narrow gauge hill railways and strategic light railways should have a common gauge of 2' 6". As a consequence the DUKR's (Delhi Ambala, formerly Umballa, Kalka Railway) contract was revised in 1901 to incorporate the change to 2 ft 6 in (762mm). There is some doubt as to the actual date the gauge changed with some sources stating that the regauging wasn't undertaken until 1905.
Due to high capital and maintenance costs along with difficult working conditions, the railway was allowed to charge higher fares than on other lines. Nevertheless, with no sign of the line becoming profitable, the government purchased the line on 1st January 1906 for 17,107,748 rupees. Under government control the line was originally managed as an independent unit from the North West Railway office in Lahore until 1926, when it was transferred to the Delhi Division. Since July 1987, the line has been managed by the Ambala Division from Ambala Cantt
Technical details - the route serves 20 stations, passes through 102 tunnels and over 969 bridges, it has a ruling gradient of 3% (1 in 33). Barog tunnel is the longest at 1,143.61m, the longest bridge span is 60 ft (18.29 m) and the sharpest curve has a radius of 123ft (38m) The average operating speed is 25 to 30 km/h for locomotive hauled trains, with the railcars operating a little faster at 50 to 60 km/h.
This trip was filmed from Railcar No.3
Map 00:58 - Google Earth
Map 01:13 - OpenRailwayMap.org
Kalka 01:50
Taksal 17:08
Gumman 31:20
Koti 45:30
Sonwara 01:08:52:00
This trip was part of a tour “Railways of the Raj” organised by “The Railway Touring Company” - www.railwaytou... in conjunction with Travel Pals (India) Pvt Ltd.
To learn moreabout this railway, please click on this link - en.wikipedia.o...

[@JimNicholls]

A remarkable railway, Tim. Thanks for uploading another great video, and I'm sure part 2 will be at least as good!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Jim, it's nice to know you enjoyed the ride, I'm editing Part 2 at the moment, this railway and the history behind it is truly unique. Shimla and its railway are little pieces of Britain in India. As the line rises ever higher, so the scenery becomes even more spectacular.

[@wyqtor]

Kalka - Shimla in 4K 🤩! Hoping to see the Darjeeling Toy Train in 4K sometime soon as well!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I did visit other Hill Railways on this trip and I'll be uploading videos from those trips as time permits.

[@wyqtor]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Thank you so much!

[@chrisruth7057]

Now this very common train definitely has a lot of character 🚞 🙂

[@Timsvideochannel1]

If the Reverend Awdry had seen this train, I feel sure it would have been one of the Thomas the Tank Engine characters 😊.

[@Chiitapowder]

Shimla got Snowed two days back and today also it is Snowing...

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Wow, I'd loved to have been there to see the snow.

[@johnhopkinson695]

Excellent. Looking forward to Part 2

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it's nice to know you enjoyed it. I've almost finished editing Part 2, it should be available next weekend.

[@martythemartian99]

Nice one Timbo. I really enjoy watching India's mountain railways. Merry Christmas to you and all your viewers, from sweltering Australia.🤠🦘

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed watching this trip. It's a typical cold, wet Christmas Eve here in the UK and I'm wishing I was somewhere warm. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Merry Christmas from Tim and Karen at Timsvideochannel1 🌲🧑‍🎄🌲.

[@panikrystyna1]

Witaj, Tim. bardzo interesujący i piękny film. Dziękuję, pozdrawiam.😀

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cześć, cieszę się, że podobała Ci się jazda. Najlepsze życzenia. Tim 😊.

[@Mediawatcher2023]

Hi Tim thank you for your wonderful videos through out 2024 i want take this opportunity wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and i look forward for more of your videos next year take care.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello and thank you for your kind comment, your support throughout the year was much appreciated. I'm looking forward to 2025, I haven’t book any filming tours yet, although I got a few ideas to feature railways that don't get a lot of coverage on KZbin. I hope you have a great Christmas and a fun packed New Year.

[@johannperaus6890]

Hi Tim! Nice trip with the jungle express 👍. Merry Christmas 🎄from Hans 🍻🇦🇹.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Hans, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride 😊. Christmas is a good reason to have an extra beer or two 🍻. Happy Christmas to you and your family from Tim and Karen🌲🎂🍺.

[@michaelhearn3052]

Wonderful video, thanks for sharing it with us. Am looking forward to Part 2 like we all are! This line and Shimla are on my list of overseas visits that I need to do. Please continue with posting your videos and thanks for all your efforts.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, it's nice to know you enjoyed the ride, Part 2 should be available tomorrow. If you are able to visit Shimla by train, I think you'll really enjoy the experience, there is nowhere else quite like it.

[@rogertemple7193]

This is a very nice looking train in the Kalka Shimla Railway and some nice looking scenery to see i really enjoyed it a lot thank you.🎄🎀🎄 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃 🇮🇳

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Roger, the Kalka Shimla railway a one off, even more twists, turns, loops, bridges and tunnels than a Swiss mountain railway, yet at the same time uniquely Indian, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride 🧑‍🎄🌲.

[@neilforbes416]

Couldn't help but notice your camera mounted right up front each time you crossed to the driver's side camera. Nice work! All the best for Xmas, 2024 Tim! And Happy New Year too!

[@johannperaus6890]

@@neilforbes416 Hi Neil! Merry Christmas🎄 and a happy new year 🍾from Hans 🍻🇦🇹.

[@neilforbes416]

@@johannperaus6890 Danke sehr!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Neil, this train really gave the GoPro camera stabilisation software a good workout as you might have noticed from the way the camera mounted on the locomotive was being shaken around. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support throughout 2024, wishing you all the Best for Christmas and Happy New Year 🧑‍🎄🌲.

[@neilforbes416]

@@Timsvideochannel1 In the immortal words of Benny Hill: *"Gotta be jelly 'cause jam don't shake like that"* LOL🤣

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@neilforbes416 He was one of the best until that fateful day when he looked up in pained surprise as the concrete hardened crust of a stale pork pie caught him in the eye and Ernie bit the dust - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2racnSvrb-bi9E

[@nandhagopalp2852]

Hi Mr. Tim, welcome to India. Great video. Tunnel no. 10 is so long, it took almost 2 minute to cross. Please cover Darjeeling and Nilgiri mountain railways too...😊

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello, visiting the Hill Railways of India was a wonderful experience, they all serve a similar purpose, yet they are very different to each other. Some of the engineering on the Shimla railway is surprisingly substantial for a narrow gauge railway, such as tunnel 10 and the aesthetically pleasing gallery arched bridges. I will be uploading videos showing the Darjeeling and Nilgiri mountain railways over the coming months 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃 😊.

[@peterstowell2976]

Wow Tim, what a great trip through amazing scenery. Usual greetings from Menzies Creek. Looking forward to Pt.2. Puf’n-Pete🇦🇺

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Pete, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride and best wishes for the New Year.

[@petersmith6903]

what a trip to se India in all its glory UK viewer five stars

[@BorisLu]

Awesome video!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it 😊.

[@graemeashton1917]

Did this trip in2014, but in reverse Shimla to Kalka. What a beautiful trip ❤

[@Timsvideochannel1]

It's my favourite Indian Hill Railway, the views from the train window are awe inspiring, I'd love to have visited Shimla during the British Raj.

[@wallydug2256]

Amazing train, it's a good job that there's check rails on the curves,must have added a touch of excitement to the journey.😂 Happy Christmas and have a Great New Year on the lines.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, there is scarcely a straight section of track between Kalka and Shimla, it's a fascinating railway with a rich history and even today the trains are full. Thank you for the season’s greetings and Happy New Year to you.

[@rudolfhough6226]

What a beautifull railway!!!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Only in India could such a railway with its fascinating history exist.

[@rudolfhough6226]

I would have loved to see some of the old Fairly steam loco,s in their time working there.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

We were originally booked for steam haulage for part of this trip, but sadly the locomotive's condition had deteriorated to the point where it was no longer available for traffic, I hope it is restored to working condition again to work specials and charter trains at the Shimla end of the line to give a taste of how the line looked when steam was still king.

[@robertcoleman4861]

Great journey thanks Tim, The foothills of the Himalayas that's a really a scenic part of India, I haven't been watching KZbin lately been to busy over xmas, Happy new year to you & all of your family cheers Bob.🎆🎉🎊🧨✨🍺🍷🍾🥳

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Bob, I hope you enjoyed a good Christmas with friends and family. Travelling to visit the Hill Railways of India was no holiday, more of a full on adventure involving international and internal flights, plenty of train rides, car and bus journeys. I needed another holiday to recover from this one, fortunately Christmas came along at just the right time. I'm looking forward to sharing more of my Indian adventures in the New Year. Happy New Year to You and your Family from a rather chilly UK 😊🧑‍🎄🍻🥂❄☃🌲

[@bruceackland1]

Great video.....many thanks

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it's nice to know you enjoyed the ride.

[@Jn739s]

This track has lost some of its beauty but still holds its charm. I first visited in the 80s and recently revisited in 2024. Kalka has become overcrowded, and the track from Kalka to gumma is sadly filled with filth. It’s disheartening to see how we Indians have ruined such a place, yet nature somehow continues to survive. I’ve heard it’s managed from Ambala Division. The railway cars look like the same ones used 40 years ago. That said, Tunnel 33 and Tunnel 10 are remarkable feats of engineering. I read that a British engineer had different plans for the track but was fined due to a mapping error. On another note, it’s great to see Switzerland Railways and Indian Railways on the same channel - something I never imagined! Lovely editing and a great video overall!”

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'd love to have seen the railway in the 80's. I first visited in 2012 and the biggest difference I notice was the building of the new road, it doesn't blend in as well as the railway. There was a lot more litter at the Kalka end of the line in 2012 and I read on the internet that there have been a number litter clearance events resulting in the Shimla end of the line looking much better. In China the litter is worth money and people collect it as a way of earning a living, as a result there is far less litter. I am left wondering why the litter isn't collected and recycled. I have a number of books filled with photographs taken in the 70's and 80's and there is no litter to be seen in those pictures. I saw a train of new Swiss style panoramic carriages in a siding at Kalka, I don't know if they are in service yet, I'm sure they will be welcomed by tourists, although I really enjoyed travelling in the railcar. I'm pleased you enjoyed the video. Cheers. Tim.

[@Daneelro]

Thanks for the ride!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@johampshire3790]

What a roller coaster ride. Brilliant but scary!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

It's nice to know you enjoyed the ride 😊.

[@Ash-sf8oz]

Nice tim ❤ love from India ❤❤

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I love India. Bet wishes from England 😊.

[@kolejnakolej.1437]

Interesting video with cabview.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you found the ride interesting

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Very nice, like .

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you 😊.

[@rickysrailstream7035]

When was it shot?. ..this rail car is not running currently or is it a private charter booking?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

This video was filmed on the 26th November 2024 from a privatly booked charter train.

[@rickysrailstream7035]

@@Timsvideochannel1 thanks for the info. Maybe in Part 2 or Part 3 your train will go through Kanoh Railway bridge on the Kalka Shimla route. I have captured some drone shots of the bridge kzbin.info/www/bejne/bprUiH6Ml553Z6ssi=NhelgAthIUMrhOXb

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@rickysrailstream7035 Hello, I loved your drone footage, crossing the bridge will be included in a future video, it's one of the highlights of a trip on the line. Happy New Year. Tim.

[@arunkhan4951]

Awesome view from the loco pilot's seat 😂 Please share what's the max speed the track can bear, the max speed the engine can do, and the maximum speed in this run. I'm guessing the train was doing 70-80 kmph in some streches. Compared to gradient in the Darjeeling line, the Kalka-Shimla line looks tame. As a child, I used to travel from Agra to Mathura Jn on the meter gauge line (1960s). My father was in the Indian Railways, It was a lot of fun traveling in the much smaller coaches😂

[@Timsvideochannel1]

You must have some wonderful memories from your childhood days travelling between Agra and Mathura Jn on the meter gauge line. I including some technical facts in the video description that answer some of your questions - please see below - Technical details - the route serves 20 stations, passes through 102 tunnels and over 969 bridges, it has a ruling gradient of 3% (1 in 33). Barog tunnel is the longest at 1,143.61m, the longest bridge span is 60 ft (18.29 m) and the sharpest curve has a radius of 123ft (38m) The average operating speed is 25 to 30 km/h for locomotive hauled trains, with the railcars operating a little faster at 50 to 60 km/h.

[@arunkhan4951]

@Timsvideochannel1 thanks for the information, much appreciated 👌🏼🙏🏼

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@arunkhan4951 You are welcome 😊.

[@rickysrailstream7035]

Love from india

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I love India, it's an amazing place. Best wishes for the New Year.

[@yusufjosef9521]

First time watched this type of covering....

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I hope you enjoyed it.

[@sellier-bellot22]

is this so called tourist train or a local train perhaps ? LOL very nice ride too !!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello, this railcar is available for special charter trains. Most of the locomotive hauled trains on this line serve the local community and occasional tour groups. The railway is popular and the trains are usually filled to capacity. I'm glad you enjoyed the ride 😊.

[@foxstrangler]

It's a wonder it didn't derail, that track is rough, and it doesn't ride very well.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

By Indian narrow gauge standards the track is pretty good and the ride was better than it looked in the video, now when it comes to the Darjeeling Railway that's a different matter, even I was left wondering how that train stayed on the tracks!!!

[@Mr_Nanks]

@@Timsvideochannel1did you manage to get a drivers view video of the Darjeeling railway? 🙏

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@Mr_Nanks With two men hanging on the front of the steam locomotive sanding the rails, there wasn't really anywhere to hang a camera without being a real nuisance, but I did get plenty of rear view, passenger and lineside shots. I’ll edit and upload videos of the line in the New Year as time allows.

[@KOLEJ22DrogaPrzygody]

Hey nice video

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride.

[@ukaszsylwia3725]

Bardzo fajny i relaksujący film kolejowy z najlepszych kolei świata Indyjskich ❤🎉😊

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Dziękuję, cieszę się, że film Ci się spodobał. Koleje Indian Hill są niesamowite 😊.

[@vinodkumarverma6683]

very nice. speed, distance and level could have been added.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it and thanks for the suggestion about the speed, distance and height above sea level. I am looking at the software available and the time it takes to include such information to see if it is practical.

[@ukaszsylwia3725]

45:38 ❤Koti to najpiękniejsza stacja kolejowa na świecie 😊

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Koti to dobrze utrzymana stacja. Wszystkie stacje wzdłuż kolei Shimla są piękne.

[@rajanp9384]

6.1.2025..to day iam stay to shimla.. Verey cool citey

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello, I hope you are enjoying Shimla, it's a really nice town with amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

[@TheoVeenhof]

Great, thanks again, Tim! A little question for the India specialists: what light coloured animal is fleeing out of Tunnen 9 at 40.02? A monkey, a dog, a big cat? (I played the video slow motion, and it looks certainly like a monkey, with its very long tail.)

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I played the original video back at 40:02 frame by frame and I am as sure as I can be that it is a monkey.

[@tusharbhagat2726]

That was a Langur, which comes in a subfamily of Monkeys

[@TheoVeenhof]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Lots of animals, you treat us to, Tim. After the kangaroos and wallaby's, now a clever monkey!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@TheoVeenhof There is a lot of wildlife in India such as parakeets, beautiful butterfly’s, street dogs and monkeys. There were signs telling motorists to beware of elephants, sadly I didn't see any in the wild.

[@An0op1]

Asian palm civet ...

[@glenbearh9109]

Love to visit one day

[@Timsvideochannel1]

If you do make it one day, I think you'll enjoy your visit.

[@danghita497]

super !

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride 😊.

[@ukaszsylwia3725]

Sonwara to najpiękniejsza stacja kolejowa w Azji 😊 1:09:17

[@alpesh2481]

train number

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Railcar NO.3

[@thanhphamxuan2446]

Đường sắt của nước Ấn Độ mà vẫn chạy khổ Đường sắt 1m giống ở vn nhỉ 😂😅

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Xin chào, hầu hết đường sắt của Ấn Độ đều có khổ 5 ft 6 in (1.676 mm), mặc dù tuyến này có khổ 2 ft 6 in (762 mm). Đường sắt trên núi đến Ooty dài 1.000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in). Hầu hết các tuyến đường sắt theo mét ở Ấn Độ đã đóng cửa hoặc được điều chỉnh lại kích thước thành 5 ft 6 in (1.676 mm)

[@margaretcampbell2681]

It’s a bit old

[@Timsvideochannel1]

The old ones are the best.

[@victorbar-s5c]

Went to Shimla 60+ years ago and Kalka station was so clean and never saw filth and garbage on the tracks and why so many ugly looking buildings besides the tracks.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'd love to have seen Shimla 60 years ago, the main streets in Shimla are kept clean. The town still retains most of the elegant buildings built during the British Raj and the railway is much cleaner than it was 12 years ago when I last visited thanks to a clean-up initiative, once away from the main town and the railway stations, it's a different story with significant amounts of litter wherever you look, but it is getting better slowly. As for the buildings, they are built to do a job, aesthetics are not as important as they are elsewhere in the world.

[@victorbar-s5c]

@@Timsvideochannel1 There were no vehicles allowed on Mall Rd. or anywhere and it was so empty and clean. I stayed in that State Bank building on Mall Rd. Clean pristine beauty with very little inhabitants and all the buildings were of British Raj period and kept in excellent conditions.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

​@@victorbar-s5c It must have been nice when you were there. The buildings from the British Raj period have been looked after, they are kept in good condition and Mall road is still vehicle free although it is busier these days. Please click on this link to see Mall Road as it is today - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mall_Road,_Shimla

[@victorbar-s5c]

@@Timsvideochannel1 I love Victorian architecture and really enjoyed watching it when I was in London. It gave me a glimpse of somewhat India used to be. But things have changed quite a lot in UK too since then and sadly it's not the same what it used to be.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@victorbar-s5c I am fortunate to live in a Victorian house with high ceilings, beautiful windows and ornate brickwork, although things are changing fast as the big old houses in the road I live in are being turned into houses of multiple occupancy filled with people who do not become a part of the community, as families move away they are being replaced by single people who often only live in the road for a matter of months. The community atmosphere has almost disappeared, most people in the road don't know their neighbour's names. We are told by our politicians that this is progress; they clearly don't live in the roads suffering from too many houses of multiple occupancy. Bath is one of the few remaining British towns that retains a Victorian atmosphere from days gone by.

[@andresumaryono201]

JALUR JALAN TOL INDIAH JALUR JALAN ASPAL INDIAH JALUR REL KERETAH APIH INDIAH

[@andresumaryono201]

RUTEH JALUR PERCABANGGAN DOUBEL TRACKS REL KAMND : ST DLLLLLSB KAMND - ST DLLLLLSB KAMND

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Halo, saya menggunakan Google Terjemahan. Ini tidak sempurna, saya harap saya telah membaca komentar Anda dengan benar. Kereta api lama berpadu dengan pemandangan indah, sayangnya jalan baru tidak menyatu. Saya harap Anda menikmati videonya. Semoga sukses. Tim

[@constantinrogojina1199]

Love from india