Kalka Shimla Railway & Toy Train, 2 Old PC 1903
Two old 1903 photo postcards of the Kalka Shimla Railway and toy train. These are one of the earliest photos of the mountain railway. Built in 1903, with a 97 km narrow gauge track between Kalka and Shimla (formerly Simla). It runs through the picturesque mountainous countryside. The route runs through as many as 103 tunnels, cuttings, and embankments.
Numerous stunning viaducts like the two seen in these two photo postcards. Shimla had become the summer capital of India in 1863. It enjoyed the most British-like climate amongst the hill stations. This meant a twice annual transfer of the whole government system. That involved a 1610 km journey between Shimla and Calcutta (now Kolkata). Calcutta remained the capital of India until succeeded by Delhi in 1931.
The idea of a railway to Shimla had been proposed as early as 1847. Building the line on sheer rough terrain had its difficulties. By 1903 it was completed although with considerable delay. In fact, it was the last among the three main hill stations to have a railway. The engineering challenge was far greater than compared of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Click on the photo for better view.
See earlier post Barog Station Kalka Shimla Railway, 2 Old PCs 1905.
Did you know- that Lord Curzon the dynamic Viceroy of India opened the railway line in 1903.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#11)., Korean War Prisoners UN India – Old Photo 1954., Queen Victoria Jubilee Celebration Bombay – Old Print 1897., Our Journey Around The World – 1894 Book
