Did you know that the Indian Railways is the eighth largest employer in the world? As of March 2017, it had 1.308 million employees! Also, it is the fourth largest railway network in the whole wide world! And there are so many other things about our railway system that we might not be aware of. For instance, let us take the train journeys, there are many beautiful train routes in India. While the common trend now-a-days is to take a flight to cut down your travelling time, travelling by the train still retains its age old charm.
Train journey takes us back to our younger days where we would wait endlessly for the train to arrive, then stock up on books/ magazines to read along the way and snacks to munch while enjoying the journey. Those journeys are still the same; the people have moved ahead though. As fortunate as it is, we are missing out on the most beautiful journeys which cannot be experienced in any other way.
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Let us take you through some railways routes which offer you the most scenic and breathtaking experiences unlike any other.
1. Kalka-Shimla route
This narrow gauge train runs between Kalka and Shimla covers a total distance of 96 kms in a little more than 5 hours. It crosses through 102 tunnels, 82 bridges and lush green forests. The journey is a photographer’s delight as it goes as a very slow speed through steep curves, rolling bends and gorgeous valleys.
And the journey is bliss during winters!
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2. Jodhpur-Jaisalmer route
Enroute Jaisalmer from Delhi, comes this beautiful part of sand dunes, camels and barren arid land for a long stretch as far as your eyes can see.
Also known as the ‘Desert Queen’, this trains covers this amazingly unique distance in close to 6 hours.
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3. Darjeeling-Himalayan route
A 78 kms journey between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling is covered by this train in around 8 hours travsersing Siliguri, Sukna, Rangtong, Kurseong, Tung and Batasia loop along with other picturesque towns.
Don’t miss the majestic beauty of The Himalayas from train.
4. Mandovi Express route
A beautiful journey of around 11 hours, it comprises traversing many tunnels, bridges, streams, lush green hills of the Western Ghats and so much more! The train travels from Mumbai to Goa and crossing places like Madgaon, Thane, Ratnagiri and others.
The best time to travel is in monsoons though, when the greens simply take your breath away!
5. Guwahati-Silchar route
This train starts plies between Dibrugarh in Assam and Lalgarh Junction in West Bengal. It covers a distance of about 3,118 kms in total but the stretch from Guwahati to Silchar is simply out of this world!
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The train traverses the river Jatinga, scenic tea plantations, dense greens of the spectacular Barak Valley, landscapes of Lumding and the Haflong valley.
6. Bangalore-Kanyakumari route
Commuting between Bangalore and Kanyakumari, this train covers a distance of 944 kms in about a little more than 19 hours. It is a magical journey giving you a feeling of gliding over a long stretches of water as well as various other topographies.
7. Nilgiri-Ooty route
With a travelling time of 5 hours between Mettupalayam and Ooty, you cross through a plethora of tunnels(16), forests, bridges(250), curves and bends over the Nilgiri Mountain in this toy train.
The train moves along the steepest track in Asia with the maximum height going upto 7,000 feet.
8. Srinagar-Baramulla route
This track offers you one of the most magnificent views of the Himalayas along with the thrill of passing through a high intensity earthquake zone.
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9. Hubli-Madgaon route
This scenic route is bound to leave you spellbound. Its a 3-4 hours journey, however, the sight worth all the time and travel is of gigantic streams of water falling from a height of 300 metres.
While travelling between Hubli and Madgaon, you come across the spectacular Dudhsagar Waterfalls, gushing down with immense power on the rocks below.
10. Hassan-Mangalore route
This train covers a distance of around 244 kms between Hassan and Managalore and is known for its breathtaking views of palm plantations, beautiful waterfalls, towering mountains and rice meadows.
Also read: 12 Most Beautiful Train Routes In The World Offering Gorgeous Scenic Views
11. Jammu-Udhampur route
Covering a distnace of around 53 kms, the train on this route offers you one of the most scenic views of this country.
The completion of the Chenab Bridge, which would be the world’s highest rail bridge, would certainly make for a spectacular sight on this route.
12. Ratnagiri-Mangalore route
Covering a distance of around 765 kms in about 17 hours, this train route takes you through long deep tunnels, lush green forests, the Western Ghat range, various streams and breathtaking bridges.
If you are traveling between Ratnagiri and Mangalore, then this is the journey that you should experience, at least once!
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13. Matheran-Neral route
The 2 feet narrow gauge train that route plies between Matheran and Neral covers about 21 kms in distance.
This is the only heritage rail of Maharashtra and takes you magnificent locations of the rugged terrain and lush greens of the Western Ghats.
14. Tamil Nadu-Rameshwaran route
This train starts at Mandapam in Tamil Nadu and runs till Rameshawaran, situated on Pamban Island. One of the most scenic journeys that you can ever experience, it has the train going over the second longest bridge in India, with water all around you, for long stretches. This bridge connects mainland India with the Pamban Island.
The beauty of this journey will enthrall you with its charm.
15. Bhubaneshwar-Brahmapur route
This scenic route has the train surrounded by rich dense Malyadri on one side and tranquil placid lake Chilla on the other side. This route is also flocked by some migratory birds and is a bird watcher’s delight!
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These were some of the most picturesque rail routes of India. As one popular song goes claiming ‘Safar khoobsurat hai manzil se bhi’, I too believe that many a times it is the journey that makes the travel worthwhile and unforgettable. Although, my personal favourites have been road trips, I can’t wait to board a train to such locales for a mesmerizing ride! After all, the more you get lost in travel, the more you find yourself!
Also read- 20 Best Road Trips In India Every Traveller Must Take At Least Once In Their Lifetime
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