For many Indians, train travel is woven into the fabric of memory, a space for late-night stories and endless games of antakshari. Beyond mere transportation, it's a moving window to the country's soul, revealing shifting landscapes, diverse cultures, and countless untold stories. Some rail routes are so spectacular that the journey itself becomes the destination, etching itself permanently in the traveller's mind. Here are three such iconic train journeys in India that promise an experience far greater than the distance covered.
The Mountain Majesty: Kalka-Shimla Toy Train
Chugging its way into history since 1903, the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train is a crown jewel of Indian railways and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. This charming narrow-gauge railway embarks on a picturesque five-hour ascent from Kalka to the "Queen of Hills," Shimla, covering a distance of 96 kilometres.
The true marvel lies in the path it carves through the Shivalik foothills. The train navigates an astonishing 102 tunnels and over 800 bridges, offering passengers constantly unfolding vistas of pine-clad mountains. The route is dotted with quaint colonial-era stations like Barog and Dharampur, adding a nostalgic charm. In winter, the landscape transforms into a photographer's paradise as snow blankets the forest canopy and station rooftops, creating a scene straight out of a storybook.
The Himalayan Gem: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Another UNESCO-recognised wonder, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), is a breathtaking feat of engineering. This "Toy Train" begins its journey from the plains of Siliguri and arduously climbs up to the world-famous tea estates of Darjeeling.
Operating on a narrow two-foot gauge, the train, often hauled by a vintage steam engine, tackles steep gradients and dramatic curves along its 88-kilometre route. The scenery evolves from dense forests and bustling villages to the iconic, manicured slopes of tea gardens. A signature moment is the passage through the Batasia Loop, where the track spirals around a beautifully manicured garden, revealing a panoramic view of the mighty Kanchenjunga mountain range. This journey offers an intimate glimpse into daily life in the Eastern Himalayas, passing by hillside homes and local markets.
The Coastal Spectacle: Konkan Railway
Offering a dramatic contrast to the mountain routes, the Konkan Railway presents a spectacular coastal run along India's western coast. Stretching approximately 750 kilometres between Mumbai and Mangaluru, this line cuts through the biodiverse Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Built with remarkable engineering prowess, the railway boasts 91 tunnels and over 2,000 bridges, including its longest tunnel which runs for about 6.5 kilometres. The journey treats travellers to a vibrant tapestry of scenery: the Arabian Sea glistening beside the tracks, rivers snaking through valleys, lush forests, and countless waterfalls that come alive during the monsoon. In fact, the rainy season is considered the most scenic time to travel, as the hills are draped in low clouds and the countryside turns a brilliant emerald green.
These three rail journeys—the mountain-climbing toy trains of the north and the coastal artery of the west—showcase the incredible diversity and beauty of India's terrain. They stand as testaments to both natural splendour and human ingenuity, proving that sometimes, the best part of a trip is not where you are going, but how you get there.
