RailEnquiry

CHANDIGARH/SHIMLA: The 1927 Rail Motor Car that had been chugging through a verdant route of Himachal Pradesh for 85 continuous years on the narrow gauge Unesco world heritage Kalka-Shimla rail track has come to a screeching halt, after its wheels wore off recently.

Out of four such rail cars, which were made between 1927 and 1930 by the British, this was the last to run on the Shimla tracks that offer a panoramic visual feast to tourists flocking to the state round the year.

"The wheels were giving way due to wear and tear. We had first tried to introduce cast wheels but were not able to get any manufacturer in India," PK Sanghi, divisional railway manager (Ambala), told TOI over the phone.

The Kalka-Shimla rail track — a triumph of engineering marvel — has always managed to recreate the old world charm associated with journeys on mountain railways.

The car, along with three other trains — Shivalik Deluxe, Himalayan Queen, Kalka-Shimla passenger — reached its destination in 4 hours and 25 minutes, passing through 864 bridges, 102 tunnels and at least 900 sharp curves and turns.

The Gothic-style Barog railway station become a favourite jaunt for Bollywood stars, last drawing actors Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor during the shooting of 'Jab We Met'. A group of 14-18 passengers could be accommodated in this vintage locomotive that resembled buses used during World War II.

According to the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which managed the car's charter bookings, the car remained a strong favourite with foreigners and Indians from metropolitan towns heading for vacations till it ran regularly a few months ago.

"Unfortunately, we had to stop the charter booking four months ago when Indian Railways told us about the problem. It remained most-popular with group tours," IRCTC public relation officer told TOI.

The car was fitted with a transparent fibre-glass roof, offering a view of the skies. There were even facilities, including digital time-cum-temperature display unit, TV/VCP, and a music system.

The Indian Railways have now begun a search to bring the rail car back on tracks. "We have floated a tender for the replacement of wheels and other parts," said Sanghi.