Enjoy the Top Three Spectacular Mountain Train Journeys in India

Let me ask you, when was the last vacation you enjoyed the curvy moves of a train, breathing cool, fresh, and crisp mountain air? If the answer is a long time ago, then it’s time to pack your bags and book tickets for one of these mountain trains and enjoy some of the most picturesque and spectacular destinations in India.

Mountain trains, or toy trains, date back to when the British laid the rail routes that still exist. These trains are known for operating with very small engines and carriages. Additionally, they now offer the option to order food online in the train via a reliable food app or restaurant, maximizing your traveling pleasure.

Thus, you can treat yourself to fresh, refreshing holidays while enjoying delicious, fresh, and cost-effective food services on the train.

Let’s start with the top three mountain trains of India:-

1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - It was inaugurated in 1881. This mountain train covers a distance of 88 km in West Bengal from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling in seven and a half hours. It not only offers joy, but it also represents engineering skills of the highest order of that time.
The landscape scenery is very striking, going in and out of the mist throughout the trip, making it spellbinding. The railway stations are really small, and the roads and houses are built very close to the tracks, making it fun to see people waving from their windows.

The route this “Toy Train” covers has 8 major bridges, 542 minor bridges, and 177 unmanned level crossings. It is a point of pride that the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway received World Heritage Site status on Dec. 2, 1999, as it has the narrowest of the regular narrow gauges.


2. Nilgiri Mountain Railway - It received its first stretch from Mettupalayam to Coonoor. It was opened to traffic in June 1899 and was extended up to Ooty in 1908. The unique rack rail system between Kallar and Coonoor is considered one of the main features of this meter gauge.

The equally unique and complicated steam locomotives make this delightful train distinctive. It covers a distance of 46 km from Mettupalayam to Ooty in four and a half hours. This little toy train gives passengers a real thrill as it twists and turns around the hills.

As it passes through tunnels, crosses bridges, goes through forests, and passes eye-catching tea plantations, it leaves travelers fascinated. One interesting fact about this mountain train is that the engine is at the back, pushing the carriages up the hills.

For this reason, UNESCO recognized the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as a World Heritage Site on July 15, 2005.

3. Kalka-Shimla Railway - It connects the people of the plains to the cool and beautiful summer capital of British India, Shimla. Every year, tourists rush to Shimla in both summer and winter, either to beat the heat or to catch the snowflakes.

On Nov. 9, 1903, this railway line was opened to traffic. It contains 101 tunnels on its route, making the railway line an engineering masterpiece. Travelers can enjoy the six-hour-long journey that covers 96 km on narrow gauge, with many arched bridges and several charming stations.

Moreover, enjoying a journey on this route is the most economical way to get to Shimla. This little mountain train moves very slowly, offering passengers a unique opportunity to experience the majestic Himalayas.
The Kalka-Shimla toy train allows travelers to admire the simple lifestyle of the hill folk. Adding to the charm, travelers often stick their heads out of the windows or sit on the steps at the doorway to inhale the fresh, misty, sweet-smelling air.

The Kalka-Shimla Railway was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

All three mountain railways of India are around a hundred years old and are still very well maintained by Indian Railways, offering a perfect treat for any tourist. Additionally, they now feature the convenience of ordering food online by train, allowing tourists to take a perfect break from hectic city life and enjoy a holiday in these hill stations.