Category: Getting There

Kalka Shimla Vistadome Coach

Kalka Shimla Vistadome Coach: A Journey Beyond Imagination

Kalka Shimla Vistadome Coach

The iconic Kalka Shimla railway route has recently seen a luxurious addition that promises travelers an unparalleled experience: The Vistadome Coach. This transparent, see-through coach ensures that tourists get a 360-degree view of the mesmerizing beauty of the surrounding areas.

What is the Vistadome Coach?

The Vistadome Coach, as the name suggests, is a luxury coach adorned with glass walls and a transparent rooftop. The coach’s design intends to let tourists enjoy the scenic beauty of the route without any obstructions, and from the comfort of their seats.

Key Features of the Vistadome Coach

  • Unobstructed Views: The prime attraction is its glass-covered walls and ceiling. It’s an invitation to experience nature up close, from witnessing the first snowfall to the rhythmic patter of raindrops.
  • Travel Details:
    • Train Details: The coach is attached to the Kalka Shimla Express train (Train No: 52453/52454).
    • Timings:
      • Kalka to Shimla: Departure at 6:20 AM, Arrival by 11:35 AM
      • Shimla to Kalka: Departure at 6:30 PM, Arrival by 11:30 PM
    • Fare: The fare for the Vistadome coach is Rs. 295, and the coach class is designated as First Class (FC).
  • Modern Amenities: The Vistadome coach is equipped with air conditioning, roller blinds for large windows, plush new upholstery, and aesthetic wooden flooring.

How to Book?

For those eager to experience this unique journey, bookings can be made online through the official IRCTC website.

In Conclusion

The Kalka Shimla Vistadome coach offers not just a journey but an immersive experience. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to witness the pristine beauty of the Kalka-Shimla route in all its glory.

Kalka Shimla Special Train

Kalka Shimla Special Train 52459 / 52460

The new Kalka Shimla special toy train 52459 / 52460  has been launched by the India Railways from 26th January 2019 on trial basis. This train will run on the Rail motor car timings which has been discontinued thereafter.

This is the most expensive luxury train on the Kalka Shimla section and will have a fair of Rs 650 either side.

The highlights of this train are:

Kalka to Shimla Departure: 5:10 AM and Shimla Arrival 9:50 AM. Train number 52459

Shimla to Kalka Departure: 5:25 PM and Kalka arrival at 10:05 PM. Train Number 52460

Fare: Rs 630. This will be nonstop train from Kalka to Shimla with only one halt at Barog Railway station where food will be served.

The train will have six renovated coaches having a seating capacity of 102 passengers.

Modern Amenities include air conditioning, large windows with roller blinds, new upholstery, wooden flooring etc.

This will be a connecting train with Howrah Kalka Express train. You can do the online booking for IRCTC website.

Himachal Tourism Bus Service from Shimla to Delhi

Himachal Tourism Bus Service from Shimla to Delhi

Delhi and Shimla are not directly connected by train, trains have to be changed in Kalka. To avoid these difficulties, many people prefer to take direct bus service, which are felt convenient to travel without much hassles. The buses take 9-10 hours to reach Delhi from Shimla and vice versa.

Shimla and Delhi are well connected by road. There is a good bus service provided by the Himachal Roadways and Himachal Tourism. There are different categories of buses, depending on the passengers’ comfort and ease. There are Ordinary, Deluxe, Semi-Deluxe, Tata A/C and Volvo buses that run on this route by both Himachal roadways and Himachal Tourism.

The timings of the different buses from Shimla to Delhi are:

S.No Source Destination Bus Type Departure Arrival Fare
1 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 08:30 18:02 980/-
2 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 09:45 19:17 980/-
3 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 11:15 20:47 980/-
4 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 13:45 23:17 980/-
5 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 20:00 05:32 980/-
6 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 21:00 06:32 980/-
7 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 21:30 07:02 980/-
8 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 22:15 07:47 980/-
9 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Volvo 22:30 08:05 980/-
10 Shimla Delhi  ISBT 2X2 AC 20:00 05:32 730/-
11 Shimla Delhi  ISBT 2X2  Non AC 09:12 18:44 620/-
12 Shimla Delhi  ISBT 2X2  Non AC 21:20 06:55 620/-
13 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 06:12 15:44 450/-
14 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 10:18 20:00 450/
15 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 11:18 20:50 450/
16 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 13:36 23:08 450/
17 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 17:18 02:50 450/
18 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 18:20 03:52 450/
19 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 19:25 04:57 450/
20 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 21:45 07:17 450/
21 Shimla Delhi  ISBT Ordinary 22:10 07:42 450/

The bookings for these buses can be done online through www.hrtc.gov.in  for Himachal Roadways buses.

For Himachal tourism online booking of buses can be done at www.hptdc.nic.in/bus.htm. Himachal Tourism runs Volvo Buses only and there is only one service from Shimla at 8:30 PM . The fare is Rs. 880. Their pickup / drop point at Delhi is Himachal Bhawan, Mandi House and pickup / drop point in Shimla is Victory Tunnel

Bus time table, fare and the availability of the tickets can also be checked through theses website and planned accordingly.

Himachal Tourism Bus Service from Chandigarh to Manali

Himachal Tourism Bus Service from Chandigarh to Manali

For travelling to Himachal Pradesh most tourists come to Chandigarh from many parts of India by train and by air as it has good connectivity with rest of India.

If you like to travel to Manali from Chandigarh there are limited buses available from Chandigarh. The preferred way is to take the bus from Delhi as there are a number of government and private Volvo buses available. They depart in the evening and reach Manali early morning. You can also book the  buses from HRTC website or for more information you can visit this website.

There are only two bus services from Chandigarh run by Himachal Tourism / Himachal Roadways. They are ordinary and Him Gaurav (Tata A/C) coaches run by Himachal Roadways from Chandigarh to Manali and vice versa. There are also other buses from Chandigarh to Manali run by private and government, but are few in number. It takes about 8-10 hours to reach Manali from Chandigarh.

The timings and the fare of the buses run by the Himachal Roadways from Chandigarh to Manali

S. No. Source Destination Bus Type Departure Arrival Fare
1 Chandigarh Manali Ordinary 20:25 07:30 525
2 Chandigarh Manali Volvo 20:40 06:45 1150
3 Chandigarh Manali Volvo 22:00 08:00 1150

The availability and the bookings of the tickets can be checked and done through the website www.hrtc.gov.in .

Kalka Shimla Rail Motor Car

Kalka Shimla Rail Motor Car

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The Northern Railway has introduced new train Kalka Shimla Special 52459/60 on the existing timings of Kalka-Shimla-Kalka Rail Motor Car (72451/52) on the World Heritage Kalka Shimla toy train section from January 26  2019 onward with six first-class modified coaches and a transparent roof vista dome coach. The existing Kalka-Shimla-Kalka Rail Motor Car will remain cancelled from January 26 2019 indefinitely till new modified modern rail motor car is introduced.  The new rail, motor car will have glass roof top, LCD, air conditioning etc.

Rail Motor Car is a train that runs from Kalka to Shimla and vice versa, is a single coach train. It looks more like a bus running on the railway track. This is the most sought after train journey as this kind of motor car is available on this track only in India.

The train has a halt at Barog railway station for food.

Kalka Shimla Rail Motor Car numbers

The Rail Motor Car from Kalka to Shimla is numbered 72451. Fourteen persons can be accommodated in the Rail Motor Car. The train is numbered 72452 on the return journey.

Rail Motor car is beautifully designed with decorated tube light fittings, transparent fiber glass roof and designed cushioned chairs. The ambiance of the Rail Motor is comfortable and pleasing and assures a memorable journey to its passengers. So you can enjoy the the train ride.

Kalka Shimla Rail Motor Car timings and fare

The train departs from Kalka at 5.10 AM and reaches Shimla at 9.50 AM and the return from Shimla is at 4.25 PM and reaches Kalka at 9.35 PM. The fare per passenger in Rail Motor is Rs.247.

The rail motor car has connectivity with the Kalka Howrah Mail train for both arrival and departure.