Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, there were 3 CATS who met on a Saturday evening over coffee. Having worked their socks off during the week, CAT Ashish A, CAT Paramjeet and I desperately needed some serious 'chilling out'. You can well imagine how tired we must have been feeling, given that energy was low and the morale was down even in the CAT Ashish A!
With long faces we decided to shift base to yet another coffee bar. Immediately upon arrival there, CAT Ashish A declared, 'Maine kal Sunday ko Chandigarh main nahin rehna. Kuchh karo Sue.' At first we thought of packing our night bags and spend the night at a hill station. We nearly reached for our car keys, when suddenly sanity prevailed. It was past 8 at night and there was no way we could leave town before 9. Even if we went to Barog, we would reach quite late at night (read, too tired to enjoy the bonfire et el.).
At this stage, a spark of inspiration struck me and I suggested that we all went to Shimla for lunch on a train, rubbing shoulders with other passengers. Everyone immediately pounced upon the idea. CAT Navpreet and CAT Neerja R soon joined this silly gang chalking out Sunday lunch in Shimla.
As the word spread over text messages and mobiles, more CATS and their friends meowed to join in and the plan also became more elaborate. Since about 9 more people wanted to join us, we decided to hire the Toy Train that we had chartered for our Shimla-Shali Peak trip 15 months ago. Luckily for us, Kalka Railway Station confirmed that the 14 seater Toy Train was available. Voila, we were on a roll. From a mere lunch in Shimla, it turned into a heritage train journey.
However, as soon as we finalised everything and had started moving towards our cars since we had to go and do food shopping for our Shimla CATS for the following day, a very dear CAT family rang up around 9.30pm to say they wanted to join us for Shimla too. Thud!
Again calls had to be made to the Kalka Station to find out if the 18 seater Toy Train was available for Sunday or not. Lady Luck indeed was on our side as within 15mins it was confirmed that we could travel from Kalka to Shimla in the chartered Toy Train and travel back from Shimla in the luxury Rajdhani Express. With everything finally in place and car pool decided, CAT Ashish A and CAT Paramjeet went food shopping for CATS. Rest of us went home to grab a quick dinner and get ready for a rocking Sunday :)
CAT Ashish A made up for being late for Tikkar Taal trip by being the first one to reach Beckons on Sunday morning at 4.10am. Since we were running a few minutes behind schedule, we literally raced to reach Kalka. 17 CATS all set for a delightful toy train journey reached Kalka Train Station at 5am. This day out for CATS would have been quite impossible to organise at the 11th hour, had it not been for the assistance provided by Mr Rohtash Sharma. He not only booked the train for us, but also allowed us to park our cars for the day in the safe compound of his residence.
The Toy Train that we had chartered was waiting for us at the platform. Though we reached Kalka Station in time for 5.30am flag off, the lure of a cuppa cha in kulhar meant that we had to wait till 6.20am to get a clear run on the narrow gauge track to Shimla ;-)
With green signal finally up...
Shimla - Here we come :)
Only to stop in the tracks a few minutes later... You see since its narrow gauge track, safety demands that your train has to be about 20mins away from the train ahead and behind of you.
Every pit-stop an opportunity to explore the flora and fauna..
and ofcourse pose for the camera :)
We hopped on the Toy Train again for the next leg of the journey...
utilising the journey doing whatever captivated our interest.. playing antakhshri with gusto and even if it meant taking hold of the kids games as CAT Sandeep and his bro did ;-)
Mesmerising views from the front of the Toy Train...
This century-old rail route was accorded the World Heritage status by the UNESCO in July last year. The 96-km-long rail line passes through 102 tunnels, 988 bridges and 917 curves, many of them are as sharp as 48 degrees.
As we were rolling into the hills, station at Koti meant another halt to stretch the legs and go exploring the tunnel... just to check out the bats!!!
Our Sleeping Buddha catching up on his 40 winks :)
The only scheduled stop of our train journey - the picturesque Barog Station.
Red tiles for the roof, wooden verandah hanging over the station platform with hanging baskets; this over a century old Gothic style structure literally takes your breath away.
Now add delicious breakfast served with utmost care at the station, CATS could not eat enough!!!
With more meadows to traverse.... Soon it was time to say goodbye to Barog... but not before we had checked out the menu to be served for dinner to us on the way back ;-)
Soon thereafter we reached Bridge No.541, the four storey stone arch bridge near Kanoh is indeed an engineering marvel. 
Young CATS were allowed near the open windows, only under the strict supervision of CAT Rachna, our First Aid Officer of the day as well as Incharge of the kiddie brigade :)
If you thought it was not possible to play chess in a moving train... then take some lessons from our young CATS!!!
With Shimla visible across the valley, CAT Aman and CAT Ansh enjoying their juice at our last pit-stop on the way...
CAT Maharaj and CAT Navpreet taking a stroll...
With green signal finally up...Shimla - Here we come :)
Only to stop in the tracks a few minutes later... You see since its narrow gauge track, safety demands that your train has to be about 20mins away from the train ahead and behind of you.
Every pit-stop an opportunity to explore the flora and fauna..and ofcourse pose for the camera :)
We hopped on the Toy Train again for the next leg of the journey...utilising the journey doing whatever captivated our interest.. playing antakhshri with gusto and even if it meant taking hold of the kids games as CAT Sandeep and his bro did ;-)
Mesmerising views from the front of the Toy Train...This century-old rail route was accorded the World Heritage status by the UNESCO in July last year. The 96-km-long rail line passes through 102 tunnels, 988 bridges and 917 curves, many of them are as sharp as 48 degrees.
As we were rolling into the hills, station at Koti meant another halt to stretch the legs and go exploring the tunnel... just to check out the bats!!!
Our Sleeping Buddha catching up on his 40 winks :)
The only scheduled stop of our train journey - the picturesque Barog Station.Red tiles for the roof, wooden verandah hanging over the station platform with hanging baskets; this over a century old Gothic style structure literally takes your breath away.
Now add delicious breakfast served with utmost care at the station, CATS could not eat enough!!!
With more meadows to traverse.... Soon it was time to say goodbye to Barog... but not before we had checked out the menu to be served for dinner to us on the way back ;-)
Soon thereafter we reached Bridge No.541, the four storey stone arch bridge near Kanoh is indeed an engineering marvel. Constructed in 1898, this bridge is 52.9mtr long and 23mtrs high. This is the highest arch gallery bridge in Indian Railways and consists of 34 arches in four storeys. This bridge is on a reverse curve of 48 degrees.
Young CATS were allowed near the open windows, only under the strict supervision of CAT Rachna, our First Aid Officer of the day as well as Incharge of the kiddie brigade :)
If you thought it was not possible to play chess in a moving train... then take some lessons from our young CATS!!!
With Shimla visible across the valley, CAT Aman and CAT Ansh enjoying their juice at our last pit-stop on the way...
CAT Maharaj and CAT Navpreet taking a stroll... Need any further proof that CATS easily make any place their home :)
We reached Shimla station where we were greeted by Mr Negi under instructions from our fellow CAT Rajesh based at Ambala Railway Station. Coolies were disappointed that these well dressed passengers had not brought along any luggage. Taxi drivers were dismayed that CATS were insisting on walking their way to the Viceregal Lodge. Some even tried to dissuade by saying, 'But it is on a hill.' Everyone kept quite when I told them that even the little ones had done Shali Peak amongst us not long ago... 
On the Observatory Hills is located the Viceregal Lodge. Also known as Rashtrapati Niwas, it was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin, was the venue for many important decisions, which changed the fate of the sub-continent. It is quite befittingly the only building in Shimla that occupies a hill by itself.
This rambling Scottish baronial edifice was designed by Henry Irvine, architect to the Public Works Department of the colonial government in India. The south facing entrance portico sees the visitor into the reception hall. The hall is marked by a grand staircase which springs from the right and spirals up three full floors. Facing the main entrance is the grand fireplace. A gallery with well-appointed teak panelling is the central space of the building around which the other rooms are arranged. The state drawing room, ballroom, and the wood-panelled dining room - decorated with coats of arms of former Governor-Generals and Viceroys - lead to the gallery at the lower level. Verandas and terraces surround the entire building at different levels. Those at the lower level link the lodge to the magnificent grounds while those on other floors provide superb views of mountains.
Way back in 1888 this Lodge had electric light – when nobody else in Shimla did – and, would you believe it, an indoor tennis court! The lodge had extensive facilities including huge kitchens; separate rooms for storing table linen, plates, china and glass; laundry; an enormous wine cellar; a room for empty cases; boilers for central heating and running hot and cold water in the bathrooms. Pretty much as in Delhi’s Viceregal Palace, the Viceroy hosted lavish parties and entertained the royal princes and nawabs in style.
Several momentous decisions were taken in this building. This was the venue of the Simla Conference in 1945. In 1947 , the decision to partition India and carve out the states of Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) , was also taken here.
After independence, the Lodge remained the summer retreat of the President of India. In the early 60s the President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a leading philosopher and writer, and the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided to make it a scholars’ den where the best minds would find an ideal retreat. That’s when the Indian Institute of Advanced Study moved into the Lodge in 1965.
Obviously enough, some of the interiors had to be changed to accommodate the needs of the Institute. The state drawing room, ballroom, and dining room, for example, have been converted into a library; the Viceroy’s office is now the IIAS Director’s office; and the conference hall is now a seminar room for research scholars. Without the large contingent of Viceregal attendants and the resources, the ambiance of this large estate is very different from what it used to be in the days of the Raj. The institute seems like the perfect setting for lively intellectual debates and discussions. The list of Fellows of the Institute includes names the Burmese Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Sun Kyi, who was a fellow here in 1986.
Source: (hpshimla.nic.in/sml_heritage. htm)
Sadly, the guide does not tell you all this.. as even we found out about this detailed info much later :(
The entrance Hall with wooden panelling, stone fireplace, beautiful wooden furniture, delectable brass chandeliers... hmmm... Everything was quintessentially British!!
If the interiors left us speechless, this one bowled us over even more. This steel plate dating back to 1930's has a skeleton map of Shimla and its surrounding peaks engraved 'to-scale'.
Apart from giving precise directional information and geographical placements of various peaks, rivers across the whole range visible from this point, this steel plate deserves to be appropriately labelled as a Heritage Piece of Art. What surely needs to be done immediately is to preserve it from graffiti scrawled by insensitive hooligans and perhaps display it in a glass cabinet.
and in case you are wondering what is happening here, please be advised that we are doing nothing more than adhering to CATS policy of 'No Litter'
JAI HO :)
With mice running amok in the bellies... CATS made their way back to the Mall in search of food... Good old solid punjabi food at Sher-e-Punjab was decided upon, since we were all famished... Unfortunately, man proposes and God disposes... The tried and tested 'Sher-e-Punjab' served us the worst possible food with atrocious service and certainly did not deserve to be paid!!!
With grub in the belly and a quick run to the train station to catch our Rajdhani Express at 5.40pm.. it was time to say goodbye to Shimla :)
CATS settled in for the return journey whereby dinner was to be served to us at Barog Station....
There was no stopping the fun during the way back as well...
Whilst one gang was having their own little party at the back, game of UNO kept everyone occupied in the front...
CATS finished their impromptu heritage train journey
We reached Shimla station where we were greeted by Mr Negi under instructions from our fellow CAT Rajesh based at Ambala Railway Station. Coolies were disappointed that these well dressed passengers had not brought along any luggage. Taxi drivers were dismayed that CATS were insisting on walking their way to the Viceregal Lodge. Some even tried to dissuade by saying, 'But it is on a hill.' Everyone kept quite when I told them that even the little ones had done Shali Peak amongst us not long ago... Little did I know!!!
On the Observatory Hills is located the Viceregal Lodge. Also known as Rashtrapati Niwas, it was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin, was the venue for many important decisions, which changed the fate of the sub-continent. It is quite befittingly the only building in Shimla that occupies a hill by itself.This rambling Scottish baronial edifice was designed by Henry Irvine, architect to the Public Works Department of the colonial government in India. The south facing entrance portico sees the visitor into the reception hall. The hall is marked by a grand staircase which springs from the right and spirals up three full floors. Facing the main entrance is the grand fireplace. A gallery with well-appointed teak panelling is the central space of the building around which the other rooms are arranged. The state drawing room, ballroom, and the wood-panelled dining room - decorated with coats of arms of former Governor-Generals and Viceroys - lead to the gallery at the lower level. Verandas and terraces surround the entire building at different levels. Those at the lower level link the lodge to the magnificent grounds while those on other floors provide superb views of mountains.
Way back in 1888 this Lodge had electric light – when nobody else in Shimla did – and, would you believe it, an indoor tennis court! The lodge had extensive facilities including huge kitchens; separate rooms for storing table linen, plates, china and glass; laundry; an enormous wine cellar; a room for empty cases; boilers for central heating and running hot and cold water in the bathrooms. Pretty much as in Delhi’s Viceregal Palace, the Viceroy hosted lavish parties and entertained the royal princes and nawabs in style.
Several momentous decisions were taken in this building. This was the venue of the Simla Conference in 1945. In 1947 , the decision to partition India and carve out the states of Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) , was also taken here.
After independence, the Lodge remained the summer retreat of the President of India. In the early 60s the President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a leading philosopher and writer, and the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided to make it a scholars’ den where the best minds would find an ideal retreat. That’s when the Indian Institute of Advanced Study moved into the Lodge in 1965.
Obviously enough, some of the interiors had to be changed to accommodate the needs of the Institute. The state drawing room, ballroom, and dining room, for example, have been converted into a library; the Viceroy’s office is now the IIAS Director’s office; and the conference hall is now a seminar room for research scholars. Without the large contingent of Viceregal attendants and the resources, the ambiance of this large estate is very different from what it used to be in the days of the Raj. The institute seems like the perfect setting for lively intellectual debates and discussions. The list of Fellows of the Institute includes names the Burmese Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Sun Kyi, who was a fellow here in 1986.
Source: (hpshimla.nic.in/sml_heritage. htm)
Sadly, the guide does not tell you all this.. as even we found out about this detailed info much later :(
The entrance Hall with wooden panelling, stone fireplace, beautiful wooden furniture, delectable brass chandeliers... hmmm... Everything was quintessentially British!!
If the interiors left us speechless, this one bowled us over even more. This steel plate dating back to 1930's has a skeleton map of Shimla and its surrounding peaks engraved 'to-scale'.Apart from giving precise directional information and geographical placements of various peaks, rivers across the whole range visible from this point, this steel plate deserves to be appropriately labelled as a Heritage Piece of Art. What surely needs to be done immediately is to preserve it from graffiti scrawled by insensitive hooligans and perhaps display it in a glass cabinet.
and in case you are wondering what is happening here, please be advised that we are doing nothing more than adhering to CATS policy of 'No Litter'JAI HO :)
With mice running amok in the bellies... CATS made their way back to the Mall in search of food... Good old solid punjabi food at Sher-e-Punjab was decided upon, since we were all famished... Unfortunately, man proposes and God disposes... The tried and tested 'Sher-e-Punjab' served us the worst possible food with atrocious service and certainly did not deserve to be paid!!! CATS wish it to be known to everyone going to Shimla -
DO NOT EVER VISIT SHER-E-PUNJAB
even if it's the last place on earth where you can get food...
With growling bellies, the vegetarian CATS decided to find another decent place to eat. Infact, we were so afraid to eat anywhere that when we did walk into 'Baljee's' I demanded that they show me what they are going to serve to us, BEFORE we place the order!! ...the food served at Baljee's was SO DELICIOUS and the service was so great that perhaps we overate!!!
THANK YOU Baljee's :)
With grub in the belly and a quick run to the train station to catch our Rajdhani Express at 5.40pm.. it was time to say goodbye to Shimla :)
CATS settled in for the return journey whereby dinner was to be served to us at Barog Station....
There was no stopping the fun during the way back as well...Whilst one gang was having their own little party at the back, game of UNO kept everyone occupied in the front...
CATS finished their impromptu heritage train journey with memories in our hearts... and smiles on our faces...
- CAT Supreet
(22nd Mar'09)
1 comment:
The toy train between Shimla to Kalka is also plays a special role in tourism. Almost all the people try this toy train during their journey. You can visit this place during your weekend.
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