The sufferings of the great Mr Singh.

Spectacular mountain location, hundreds of bridges, the railway line from Kalka to Shimla after India is a masterpiece of engineering. The train itself, however, is extremely slow and poses for some major human threats - as a reward waiting for the spectacular views of the Himalayas.

 

Mr Singh goes into coverage. The door to the wagon is designed for high-rise Indians too low. His white turban makes entry even more complicated. The Toy Train, the "toy train", by the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh goes, everything is a bit smaller. For example, the tracks with only one lane width from 76.2 centimeter.

The narrow gauge railway runs through the Lower and Middle Himalayas. It connects the cities of Kalka and Shimla. Snowy Himalayan peaks are significant only in the target in Shimla to recognize. However, the Toy Train for tourists and visitors from the extremely popular domestically. In India are also other trains such as the Toy Train Darjilingbahn as described.

Mr Singh is around with his four family from New Delhi to Kalka traveled. He is an old and noble tribe of Rajput warriors who mainly settled in the state of Rajasthan. Because many of the Rajput Otto-Normal-Indians to a length above the head, they are happy in the capital as security guards used.

Mr. Singh worked as a receptionist in a man luxury hotel in Delhi. Because body size and dress neatly flay impression, this is an ideal position for him. In low Toy Train is the ideal seating position for Mr Singh. Other passengers to experience the ride while standing. Not because of the Toy Train overcrowded, but because the landscape of the open Waggontür itself would like to pass. No Schaffner protested against.

Because the risk of falling to the deadly hurt, is significantly lower than in other traits. The Toy Train bummelt with only 15 km / h average speed through the countryside. Drive train in India is generally a cozy affair. While many trains in Europe tend to remember oiled bursts, the average speed on the subcontinent 38 km / h.

In Kalka begins the journey. As the green flag is the signal for the train departure: All aboard! Beware of the descent! Children playing winking, comfortable two chickens from the tracks. The diesel jerky starts, the slow pace produces only a weak wind, the tropical climate inside the car barely cools.

In the slow pace of the Himalayas

Shortly after the train station, the route to breathtaking cliffs. Massive stone walls safeguard the route against landslides and rockfalls. They let some of the burden guessed that the former British colonial rulers operated for over a hundred years ago to relocate the tracks.

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As the train rolls, the magnificent landscape and construction work. The rail line is to drill through more than a hundred tunnels, balance on spectacular escarpments over and runs over a total of 864 bridges. An architectural masterpiece, as the foothills of the Himalayas are here are extremely steep and precipitous. The houses seem to be not merely to cling to the slopes - they cling firmly established regelrecht.

Despite the pungent sun, the lush green nature, a frequent consequence of the monsoon rains. Cedar, spruce and oak trees are reminiscent of Europe's mountain landscapes. If you are lucky, spied on Zugfenster from black bears. Still rare and shy are the leopards.

Less rare are apple trees that are surprisingly numerous species. The climate is ideal for fruit, it grows so well that the residents in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh a few years ago started to be built cider. The is now regarded as a popular specialty.

For the 96-kilometer route to the terminal after Shimla are five to six hours driving time. Precisely predict can not. The length of stay in stations does not depend on the schedule, but by the speed of embarking passengers. And their leisureliness fits entirely in the Zugtempo.

In Summerhill, one of the stops, Mr. Singh leaves for himself and his wife, a highly sugared Gewürztee flying from a dealer through the window range. While the tea bag eintunkt, it comes into raptures: "Where I come from, there is only sand and clay." The many green do his eyes good.

Holiday destination for civil servants

The village of Summerhill was by the British in the 19th Century, as a stopover on the way to Shimla set up. The colonial rulers withdrew in the summer months, when the plains are often unbearably hot, like back in the mountains. In Shimla there liked them so well that the place from 1834 to 1939 to the summer capital of the whole of British India was. The entire bureaucracy was with bag and baggage in the Himalayas relocated. First, the former capital city of Calcutta, and later by New Delhi. An endless caravan of up to 20,000 carrier members, withdrew earlier in the summer of each year throughout the country.

To this drudgery to end, it was the end of the 19th Century with the construction of the railway began. 1903 the first train rolled by after Kalka Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla was built on several hills. On one of them is the legendary Wildflower Hall Hotel in fairy-tale castle look. Here began the bed mogul Rai Oberoi to build his successful hotel chain.

After the Toy Train to almost 2100 meters above sea level one last curve has made it rolls into the station of Shimla On. The Christian Church, a legacy of the British, and pale yellow thrones on a Grat. evident from where the spectacular peaks of the Himalayas to recognize.

The church is the endpoint of the Mall, a long shopping street, across the ridge moves. The shops in the British colonial style, reminiscent of pedestrian zones in Oxford or Brighton. Until the First World War was the only road from the Kolonialherrschern be entered.

Colorful and lively was already always on the Lower Mall to. Between daring to rock-built houses found a daily street market. Fine fragrant herbs and colorful fabrics are offered for sale. Shoemakers, basket and scissors grinders offer their services. Even there are buggies for hire - all with an electric piano to prevent the little ones are busy. The pesky Geklimper bother anyone here. Indeed, in a mumble of voices and craftsmen noise is completely under.

Mr. Singh has his youngsters in one of these vehicles stowed again and pulls the skull one. Almost he had his head pushed in a grid. It serves to monkeys everywhere here herumstrolchen, away from the balconies. "I must be careful and go slow," Mr Singh embarrassed smiles. Bummelzug first, then shopping - in the Himalayas turn down a corridor. Whether voluntary or forced.