Northern Railway restores Kalka Shimla toy train service partially between Dharampur and Shimla

The Northern Railway Ambala Division has officially resumed toy train services on the iconic Kalka-Shimla heritage track between Dharampur and Shimla starting September 4 2026. This partial restoration brings much-needed relief to travellers heading to the hills after heavy rainfall caused significant disruptions and soil erosion beneath the tracks near Bridge No 57 between Koti and Gumman or Taksal stations around August 30 2026. The severe weather left a section of the track suspended leading to numerous train cancellations before railway teams intervened. To facilitate this partial resumption an empty rake was dispatched from Shimla to Dharampur at 2 00 PM on September 3 2026. Following this trial movement the first operational train identified as the Kalka-Shimla Express train number 52453 and 52454 departed from Dharampur to Shimla at 7 30 AM on September 4 2026. The service is currently operating with a configuration of seven coaches to accommodate passengers safely.

Important Travel Advisory for Passengers

Railway authorities have clarified that the service remains strictly limited to the Dharampur-Shimla section for now. Consequently passengers traveling from or to Kalka must arrange their own alternative transportation to bridge the gap and reach Dharampur. During the peak of the disruption prior to this partial restoration more than 400 passengers were successfully rescued and transported by road from the affected stations to Kalka by railway personnel. While services had initially been suspended until September 11 or 13 2026 the Ambala Rail Division managed to restore this critical connectivity ahead of schedule to assist tourists and locals alike.