Toy Trains In India: Taking You Through Mesmerizing Hills & Valleys

Train rides have always been fascinating amongst children due to a variety of reasons. It is exciting to see different cities and villages passing by; the vendors selling various delicacies and items are a true delight. However, with our busy schedules and adulting, the fun and frolics of our childhood days seem missing. How about we take you on a delightful tour of such train rides? Introducing some of the country’s most exciting locations lets us see the country through toy trains in India.

These whimsical locomotives chug around some major scenic routes; painting smiles on the faces of young and old travellers. Toy trains in India are comparatively smaller versions of long-route trains. You may witness these toy trains mainly running amidst the picturesque hills through the lush tea gardens. They are relatively slower than the other trains so that travellers can soak in the beauty of the natural surroundings. So step aboard and let your imagination soar as you take this ride.

5 toy trains in India to take you through paradise

1. Kalka-Shimla

Do not pass up the opportunity to ride the toy train if you live in or want to visit the northern portion of the country. The famous toy train from Kalka to Shimla follows a scenic path across the mountains. Scenes of towering pines and deodars cover the landscape. If you can time your trip well, a visit during the snowy season will make the landscape appear even more beautiful. The Kalka–Shimla narrow gauge, which connects the Haryana town of Kalka with the hill station of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The train’s historic carriages, painted in a rainbow of colours, make for a stylish cabin. As the journey takes you further into the mountains, you may find yourself feeling sentimental. Since most of these toy trains in India have a slow pace, the journey is nevertheless worthwhile. The route runs 96 kilometres and goes through 102 tunnels. The panoramas from each of these vantage points are breathtaking. In addition, the Queen of the Hills Shimla has several colonial-era sights to see. Stay at Treebo Hotels in Shimla to suffice your trip.

Fare– INR 25 to INR 5000.

Halts– Kalka, Dharampur, Barog, Solan, Kandaghat, Shoghi, Taradevi and Shimla.

2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

The Darjeeling toy train is also recognised as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. This narrow gauge travels via the hill station’s tea plantations along its winding streets. The train travels for around 80 km and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. The trail may also provide views of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world, and its snow-capped summits. The railway rumbles through Eastern Himalayan bridges and tunnels and along its roads and marketplaces.

The Batasia Loop is a well-kept garden along the way where visitors may pose for pictures while dressed in traditional attire. The fun part is that the toy train stops, enabling passengers to mingle in front of the locomotive while enjoying in the garden. Train passengers arriving in Darjeeling may look forward to a cool wind and the aroma of steaming dumplings. This is one of the oldest toy trains in India and is a must try for tourists.

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Fare– INR 620 one way

Halts– New Jalpaiguri, Sukna, Tindharia, Gayabari, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, Ghum and Darjeeling.

3. Matheran Hill Railway

This narrow gauge toy train can also be found in Matheran, a hill station in Maharashtra. This early 20th-century locomotive is widely regarded as one of the nicest toy trains in India owing to its beautiful surroundings. The trip on this train line is only 20 kilometres long, but the breathtaking scenery makes up for the short distance. The route is from Neral, Maharashtra, to Matheran. The railroad travels along some really steep inclines and winding paths. The carriages on this route are pulled by steam engines. If you want to see the Western Ghats, you should take this train ride.

The sounds produced by the old railway resound across the countryside as it chugs through the mountains. In 2005, UNESCO added the locomotive to its list of World Heritage Sites. Therefore, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. Travellers from all over the world, including those from India, make it a point to be a part of this journey when they visit the region.

Fare– INR 35 to INR 300

Halts– Neral, Jummapatti, Waterpipe, Aman Lodge and Matheran

4. Kangra Valley Railway

Another famous hillside narrow-gauge railway is the Kangra Valley Railway. It is also commonly referred to as the Pathankot–Jogindernagar Narrow Gauge Railway. This little train takes passengers through the beautiful landscape of Himachal Pradesh, and the scenery is breathtaking. The engine was made under the British rule of India in the early 20th century, as were other toy trains in the country at the time. The engines and carriages may be painted in modern colours, but their designs still reflect a bygone period. The 164-kilometer train ride takes passengers through both the Panjab and Himachal Pradesh regions of India.

The tour also includes views of the Beas River, which provides a wonderful vista. Originally built to provide supplies to the state’s outlying areas, this train line quickly became a tourist and local favourite thanks to the beautiful scenery on the way. The beautiful Kangra Valley, home to many tea plantations, is also visible. Since UNESCO has designated this as a World Heritage Site, it is sure to draw many more sightseers.

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Fare– INR 35 to INR 330

Halts– Pathankot Junction, Jwalamukhi Road, Kangra, Nagrota, Palampur, Baijnath, Jogindernagar.

5. Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Moving south, the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu are likewise gifted with this locomotive. The local toy train is supposedly the most well-known mountain railway in the country. The trip through the fragrant hills is not only beautiful, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its construction began in the late 19th century, making it one of the oldest toy trains in India, and it was completed in the first decade of the 20th century.

This train line travels around 46 km between Mettupalayam and southern India’s most well-known hill station, Ooty. Numerous bridges and tunnels are traversed by this little railroad. As tourists make their way through the area’s many tea estates, they may catch the fresh aroma of brewing tea. In order to move the coaches up steep inclines, the locomotive use both steam and diesel engines.

Fare– INR 250- INR 500

Halts– Mettupalayam, Kallar, Adderley, Coonoor, Wellington, Ketti and Ooty.

Take a magical ride on one of the toy trains in India and experience the cool mountain air and stunning scenery up close. It’s a relaxed start to a wonderful holiday. These trips are great for groups, be they family, friends, children, or couples. Turn off your phones and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind; the mountains are beckoning.