Context:

Recently, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister urged the Central government to explore the possibility of running trains on the Kalka-Shimla railway on green hydrogen to promote clean energy.

About the Kalka-Shimla Railway (KSR):

It is a narrow gauge railway from Kalka (Haryana) to Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) covering mostly hilly routes.

It was built in 1898 to connect Shimla, the summer capital of British India, with the Indian railway. It was started in 1903.

It was built under the guidance of Chief Engineer H.S. Harington.

On 8th July 2008, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of one of the three Mountain Railways of India. The other two are- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

It also holds the Guinness Book of World Records for its 96-kilometre steepest rise in altitude with a crossover of 800 bridges and viaducts.

It is a single-track line, also called the Toy train track line.

It passes through the world's highest multi-arch gallery bridge at Kanoh and the world's longest tunnel at Barog (at the time of construction).

Source:

THE HINDU

Practice question

Q:Consider the following statements regarding Kalka-Shimla Railway (KSR).

It is a narrow-gauge, toy train track railway.
It became a UNESCO World Heritage site for being the narrowest railway track in the world.
It passes through the world's highest multi-arch gallery bridge at Kanoh.

Which of the above-mentioned statements are correct?

a. 1 and 2

b. 2 and 3

c. 1 and 3

d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct.

It is a narrow-gauge, single-train track railway (also called a toy train track).

Statement 2 is incorrect.

It became a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of one of the three Mountain Railways of India.

Statement 3 is correct.

It passes through the world's highest multi-arch gallery bridge at Kanoh and the world's longest tunnel at Barog (at the time of construction).

KALKA - SHIMLA HERITAGE RAIL TRACK

Context:

About the Kalka-Shimla Railway (KSR):