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The Toy Train of India
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These trains,
operating on narrow-gauge tracks - hence the name toy trains
- laid during the British days, link stations in the plains
to hill stations and offer a laid back experience, where
pass engers
can take in the diverse mountain scenery at leisure. Some of
these routes are: Kalka-Shimla: 107 tunnels,
arched bridges and picturesque stations en routes are the
features of the 96-km journey linking the one-time summer
capital of India to the plains of Punjab.
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This Tour Package............
The Shivalik Deluxe Express runs two every day,
stopping only at Barog for providing catering services to
passengers. The train has bay glass windows and wall-to-wall
carpeting. Seating: 120 seats. Fare: Rs. 340 (one-way) and
Rs. 540 (round trip).
Deluxe Rail Motor Car, with a transparent roof, TV/VCP,
music and an altimeter. It operates twice a day. Seating:
14-18. Fare Rs. 340 (one- way) |
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Shivalik Palace can be attached to any train for an
exclusive experience. With a dining table, folding cushioned
beds, a refrigerator, modern bathrooms, catering by a
special attendant on board and a well-equipped kitchen etc.
As part of the package is offered a complement of two
luxurious retiring rooms with geysers, a TV and telephone at
Shimla. Setting: 6. Fare: Rs. 4,850 in UP direction and Rs.
3.375 in DN direction.
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This Tour Package............
The Shivalik Queen between Kalka-Shimla has been
launched for honeymooners. Each couple offers exclusive
privacy and big windows for panoramic view of the hills.
There is an alarm bell for communication with driver while a
microphone helps to be in touch with the guard. Fare Rs. 750
per couple, inclusive of meals.
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Nilgiri Mountain Railway traverses 46 kms of twists and
turns from Mettupalayam to the hill resort of Ootacamund at
a speed of 33 km an hour. Snaking through 16 tunnels and
tall g irder
bridges, the climb offers breathtaking vistas of plantation
and fir-clad hills.
Darjeeling Hill Railway with a 2-feet gauge is the
narrowest of the regular narrow gauges. Linking the town of
New Jalpaiguri with the east Indian hill station of
Darjeeling, this famous little trains is drawn on its 86 km
journey by a 100-year-old engine in 7.5 hours.
With no tunnels on the route, passengers get an
uninterrupted view of the Himalayas.
Matheran Railway is a 77-year-old line connecting
Neral (on the Mumbai-Pune line) to the resort of Matheran
close to Mumbai.
The panorama of hills and plains unfolds as the sturdy
little train chugs up to the peaceful retreat. The train
runs between sunrise and sunset, covering the distance in
1.5 hours.
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