Kalka-Shimla Route Gets Scenic Makeover With New Red Vistadome Train – See Stunning Photos

The 29-second clip highlighted the vibrant red train, offering travelers an opportunity to experience the scenic beauty of the hill state. The video offers an insight of the coaches and amenties being rolled out for passengers.

The newly introduced narrow-gauge Vistadome train is designed to enrich the travel experience along this historic route while promoting tourism. Manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, the Vistadome coaches are tailored to showcase the region’s natural charm, offering passengers stunning views throughout their journey.

The Kalka-Shimla railway, constructed in the mid-19th century to connect to Himachal Pradesh's capital, holds UNESCO World Heritage status. 

This 96-kilometer stretch, overseen by the Ambala Division of Northern Railway, features breathtaking landscapes and remarkable engineering feats, including steep gradients and over 800 bridges.

The Kalka-Shimla railway line includes 18 stations: Kalka, Taksal, Gumman, Koti, Sonwara, Dharmpur HMCHL, Kumarhatti, Barog, Solan, Salogra, Kandaghat, Kanoh, Kathleeghat, Shoghi, Taradevi, Jutogh, Summer Hill, and Shimla.

Earlier, the Indian Railways had rolled out Vistadome coaches for various gauges on several routes. At present, over 33 Vistadome coaches are attached in 23 pairs of trains on routes like Mumbai-Madgaon Express, Deccan Queen Express, Yeswantpur-Mangalore Expres and Kalka Shimla Himdarshan.

Luxurious coaches with glass ceiling termed as Vistadome coaches having panoramic view have been introduced from time to time by the IR. The cost of manufacture of a new Broad Gauge (BG) Vistadome coach is approximately Rs 4 crores.