There is nothing to match the experience of chugging up the hills. If you have some time to spare, then take a slow toy train up to the hill resorts of Shimla, Ooty (Udhamandalam), Darjeeling or Matheran.

 Start on an out-of-the-ordinary journey up to the hills: 

SHIMLA: The toy train journey from Kalka to Shimla is entrancing with 107 tunnels and lofty arched bridges. The dazzling view and the stop at the picturesque stations along the way add to the experience. 

Access to Shimla: Shimla is connected by a broad guage line up tp Kalka. From Kalka to Shimla, the "toy train" covers 96 km. of track in six hours. 

OOTY (UDHAGAMANDALAM): At a max. speed of 33 km. per hour, this "toy train" treks across plains, plantation and forest clad hills. The 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges on the way, along with the breathtaking view, make this toy train journey to Ooty, something not to be missed. 

Access to Ooty: Ooty is connected by a narrow guage line from Mettupalayam, which serves as the railhead for mainline trains. 

DARJEELING:The most famous of the little trains, is the one linking the town of New Jalpaiguri in the plains to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling. The 86 km. Darjeeling line allows the traveller an uninterrupted view of the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) is recognised as "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO. 

Access to Darjeeling: New Jalpaiguri, the starting point of the hill train to Darjeeling, has direct connections to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati and other places in India. 

MATHERAN : The 77 year old line, connecting Neral to Matheran, is the main way to reach the tiny hill resort, close to Mumbai. As the little train wheezes up into the clear mountain air one can view the scenic vista of hills and plains below. 

Access to Matheran : The toy train to Matheran commences from Neral (on Mumbai - Pune line). the journey up to Matheran takes about one-and-half hours. The toy train runs between sunrise and sunset.