Himalayan Queen Express Resumes Shimla-Dharampur Service
Good news for travelers! The Himalayan Queen Express has resumed service between Shimla and Dharampur following rapid track repairs.
Travelers heading to the scenic hills can breathe a sigh of relief as the Northern Railway has officially restored the Himalayan Queen Express service between Shimla and Dharampur. The Ambala Division announced the resumption of the popular route, bringing much-needed connectivity back to the region.
The service, identified as Train No. 52455/52456, commenced operations from Shimla on November 1, 2026, and from Dharampur on November 2, 2026. This follows a period of disruption caused by severe weather, which led to significant soil erosion and track damage near bridge number 57 at km 07/16-17.
Accelerated Repairs Enable Early Resumption
While the service was initially expected to remain suspended until December 31, 2026, the dedicated efforts of railway engineers and staff led to a much faster recovery. Through accelerated repair work, the tracks were made safe for operation well ahead of the original timeline.
Yashanjeet Singh, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Ambala Railway Division, confirmed that the restoration was officially approved. He noted that competent authorities granted the go-ahead only after thorough verifications to ensure absolute track safety for passengers.
Current Route Status and Limitations
While the Shimla-Dharampur section is now back in service, passengers should plan their journeys carefully. The broader Kalka-Shimla heritage line has faced significant challenges due to landslides and erosion, particularly between the Taksal and Gumman stations. Furthermore, the Kalka-Dharampur stretch remains impacted by ongoing bridge construction work, which is scheduled to continue until November 30, 2026.
Train Configuration Details
The reinstated Himalayan Queen Express service will operate with a total of seven coaches to accommodate passengers. The current configuration includes:
- 4 General class coaches
- 2 First-class coaches
- 1 Guard coach