Get ready for some fantastic news about the Kalka-Shimla Railway—it's getting a major makeover! They're jazzing up the train with super cool Vistadome coaches and brand-new interiors to make your mountain journey even more special and memorable.
Guess what? The Railway Coach Factory (RCF) has just rolled out these amazing narrow-gauge coaches designed specifically for the 120-year-old train. They're putting them through trials right now, and if everything goes smoothly, you'll be able to hop on these beauties and ride the Kalka-Shimla Railway in just a year's time!
Now, let me give you the lowdown on these awesome new coaches. They're going all out to make your trip a breeze with features like a mini pantry, bio-toilets (yep, they're eco-friendly!), power doors and windows (no more struggling with those old ones), 180-degree swivel chairs (you'll be sitting pretty!), CCTV cameras for your safety, and fire alarms (just in case). And of course, they're bringing in the classic Vistadome vibes, so get ready to soak in those breathtaking Himalayan views through huge windows and glass roofs. It's like traveling in paradise!
Our Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, couldn't contain his excitement and shared a sneak peek on Twitter. Picture this—a coach with two comfy chairs facing each other, a table in between for snacks and drinks, and even cup holders in the seats (no more spills!). And guess what? These coaches will have both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned chair cars, so you can choose what suits you best.
According to the folks at Mint, the RCF has designed four types of coaches for the Kalka-Shimla Railway. We're talking about four AC executive chair cars that can seat 12 people, eight AC chair cars with space for 24 passengers, 13 non-AC chair cars that can accommodate 30 folks, and five luggage cars—making a grand total of 30 coaches!
These new carriages are going to add a whole new level of excitement to the existing toy trains running on this route. Your journey is going to be simply fantastic!