The
northern state of India - Himachal Pradesh have the benefit of two narrow gauge
Rail tracks - Kalka/Shimla and Pathankot/Jogindernagar. Kalka Shimla toy train
run on these treks popularly called 'Toy Trains' by the tourists. Roundabout on
Shimla toy train is a stimulating experience as one passes through the
breathtaking landscapes of splendid Himalayas, tunnels, bridges and fertile
green dale embroidered with pine, oak trees, leaving a long lasting memory of ecstasy
and accomplishment.
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| At Shimla Station
The longest tunnel in the route is named after Barog, the
engineer, responsible for scheming a tunnel near the railway station. He started
digging the tunnel from both sides of the mountain, which is relatively common as
it hustles up construction. However, he made mistake in calculation and
the two ends of the tunnel did not meet. Barog was fined an amount of
1 Rupee by
the then British government. This is equivalent to
millions of dollars today.
Unable to withstand the embarrassment,
Barog committed suicide. He was buried near the incomplete tunnel. The area
came to be known as Barog after him and the tunnel is called unlucky tunnel. It is
said that his dog upon seeing his master bleeding profusely ran in panic to a
village, near the present Barog railway station, for help. However, by the time
people reached the spot, Barog had breathed his last. There are different
versions about the suicide as some say the dejected engineer shot his dog
before he shot himself. He was buried in front of the tunnel, near the
Kalka-Shimla national highway, about 1 km from Barog. It is now even difficult
to locate the whereabouts of the dejected tunnel which
has now been closed.
IN FRONT OF BOROG TUNNEL
Later the mantle fell on Chief Engineer H.S. Harrington's
supervison escorted by a local learned, Bhalku, in a short period from
July 1900 to September 1903 at a cost 8.40 Lakh rupees (Rupees
840,000).This tunnel is the longest of the 103 operational tunnels on
the route of the Shimla-Kalka Railway, which is 1143.61m long. Barog station is
right away after the tunnel. Barog tunnel is the straightest tunnel in the
World.Trains takes about 2.5 minutes to cross this tunnel, running at 25
kilometres per hour.Trains take about 2.5 minutes to cross this tunnel,
running at 25 kilometres per hour.
 MOTHERHOOD 
JOURNEY THRO' JUNGLE.
Kalka Shimla Toy Train has about 7 coaches that can
accommodate least 200 passengers in a single trip. The diversities of
challenging weather do not extricate the pertinacity of the 700 horsepower B-B
type diesel engines. They run vigorously taking up the hazards of adverse
weather conditions - temperatures ranging from 0 to 25°C, heavy snowfall
-average recording 2 feet during winters, and the annual rainfall of 2000-2500
mm, professed by the valley. The train acquires up a moderate average speed of
25-30 km throughout its passage imparting its travelers to delight in the full magnificence
of the pleasing valley.
Perhaps this is the only train in India which waited for
me to finish my refreshments at Barog station
!
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