A slow start for vistadome train

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18

The Kalka-Shimla railway track, one of the few heritage tracks in the world recognised by UNESCO, which offers a see-through glass rooftop vistadome coach, resumed its service on the route after a hiatus of over eight months on Wednesday after remaining shut due to the pandemic.

With only 10 passengers on the first day of its revival, the train is now slowly picking up more tourists. While 24 passengers boarded the heritage train to Shimla from Kalka on Thursday, the number of passengers taking the train increased to 29 today.

Started in 1903, the toy train route takes you through lush green mountains with scenic, misty views of picturesque journey to Shimla. The vistadome offers a seating capacity of 97. A single journey of the red first-class train costs Rs800 per person.

Gurinder Mohan Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala, said, the Railways had resumed the train as people were now preparing for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He said the glamorous vistadome coach (04517/04518) provided its customers with a picturesque view through the see-through glass rooftop.

“Earlier, it was called Himdarshan Express. The service was discontinued in March this year due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. This is the first train of the Railways having all vistadome coaches to run on a regular basis on the concept of individual seat charter services through the passenger reservation system and other online modes,” he said.