Indian Railway Hill Station Trains
Planning a memorable train journey through India’s breathtaking mountains? Indian Railways operates several historic hill station trains that offer one of the most scenic rail travel experiences in the country. These trains pass through lush green forests, deep valleys, waterfalls, tea gardens, tunnels, and impressive bridges, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
Some of these mountain railways are over 100 years old and are recognized by UNESCO for their engineering excellence and historical significance. Whether you want to experience the famous Darjeeling Toy Train, travel through the beautiful Nilgiri Hills, or enjoy the heritage Kalka–Shimla Railway, every route offers a unique travel experience.
In this guide, you’ll find the complete list of Indian Railway hill station trains, their routes, latest timetable information, ticket booking process, journey duration, popular attractions, and helpful travel tips.
🚆 Indian Railway Hill Station Trains – Quick Information
| Total Heritage Hill Railways | 6 |
| UNESCO World Heritage Railways | 3 |
| States Covered | West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat |
| Train Types | Narrow Gauge, Meter Gauge and Mountain Railway |
| Online Ticket Booking | IRCTC Website & Rail Connect App |
| Best Time to Travel | October to March |
Why Are Hill Station Trains Special?
Unlike ordinary railway routes, hill station trains are specially constructed to operate in mountainous regions where steep gradients, sharp curves, tunnels, and bridges make railway construction extremely challenging.
These heritage railways not only provide transportation but also preserve India’s rich railway history. Several mountain railways continue to operate using traditional locomotives, attracting railway enthusiasts and tourists from around the world.
Some key highlights include:
- Spectacular mountain views
- UNESCO-recognized heritage railways
- Historic railway engineering
- Scenic tunnels and bridges
- Tea gardens and forests
- Photography opportunities
- Comfortable sightseeing journeys
List of Indian Railway Hill Station Trains
The following table provides an overview of the famous hill station trains operated by Indian Railways, including their routes, railway zones, UNESCO status, approximate distance, and journey duration.
| Hill Railway | Route | State | Railway Zone | UNESCO Heritage | Distance | Approx. Journey Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darjeeling Himalayan Railway | New Jalpaiguri – Darjeeling | West Bengal | Northeast Frontier Railway | ✅ Yes | 88 km | 7–8 Hours |
| Nilgiri Mountain Railway | Mettupalayam – Udhagamandalam (Ooty) | Tamil Nadu | Southern Railway | ✅ Yes | 46 km | 5 Hours |
| Kalka–Shimla Railway | Kalka – Shimla | Himachal Pradesh | Northern Railway | ✅ Yes | 96 km | 5–6 Hours |
| Matheran Hill Railway | Neral – Matheran | Maharashtra | Central Railway | ❌ No | 21 km | 2 Hours |
| Kangra Valley Railway | Pathankot – Joginder Nagar | Himachal Pradesh | Northern Railway | ❌ No | 164 km | 9–10 Hours |
| Bilimora–Waghai Heritage Railway | Bilimora – Waghai | Gujarat | Western Railway | ❌ No | 63 km | 3 Hours |
Note: Journey time and train schedules may change depending on railway operations, maintenance work, weather conditions, and seasonal services. Passengers are advised to check the latest timetable before planning their journey.
List and Time Table of Hill Station Trains in India
List and Time Table of of Hill Station Trains in India are following.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, with the nickname “the Toy Train,” is a narrow-gauge railway that links between Siliguri and Darjeeling. Opened in 1881, it connects New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and Darjeeling, passing through beautiful tea gardens, forests, and mountain landscapes.
The railway uses narrow-gauge tracks and climbs gradually from the plains to an altitude of over 2,000 metres, offering spectacular views of the Himalayas.
Route Map
Following image shows full route map for the Darjeeling Toy Train running route
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 46 km meter gauge single-line railway. It is 46 km long and connects the town of Mettupalayam with the hill station of Udhagamandalam. The route is located within the state of Tamil Nadu and travels through the Nilgiri Hills, which are popularly known as the Blue Mountains of Southern India.
Kalka – Shimla Railway
Here is the latest updates of Kalka – Shimla Hill Station Trains
Kalka – Shimla Hill Station Trains
- Train No. 52459 Kalka – Shimla Daily Express departs from Kalka at 07:00 hrs and arrives at Shimla at 12:20 hrs.
- Train No. 52451 Kalka–Shimla Shivalik Daily Express departs from Kalka at 05:45 hrs and reaches Shimla at 10:35 hrs.
- Train No. 52453 Kalka–Shimla Daily Mail departs from Kalka at 06:20 hrs and reaches Shimla at 11:50 hrs.
- Train No. 52455 Kalka–Shimla Daily Express departs from Kalka at 11:55 hrs and arrives at Shimla at 16:45 hrs.
Shimla – Kalka Hill Station Trains
- Train No. 52460 Shimla–Kalka Daily Express departs from Shimla at 15:50 hrs and arrives at Kalka at 20:50 hrs.
- Train No. 52456 Shimla–Kalka Daily Express departs from Shimla at 18:40 hrs and arrives at Kalka at 23:30 hrs.
- Train No. 52452 Shimla–Kalka Shivalik Daily Express departs from Shimla at 17:25 hrs and arrives at Kalka at 22:15 hrs.
- Train No. 52454 Shimla–Kalka Daily Mail departs from Shimla at 17:45 hrs and arrives at Kalka at 22:55 hrs.
Further Updates are here:- Kalka – Shimla Train Services
Matheran Hill Railway
The Matheran Hill Railway and goes for 21 km between Neral and Matheran, in the Western Ghats.
Kangra Valley Railway
The Kangra Valley Railway lies in the sub-Himalayan region and covers a distance of 163 km between Pathankot and Joginder Nagar, an area known for its nature and ancient Hindu shrines.
