India has a rich history of toy train railways that have been a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. One of the most famous toy train in India is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which was built in the 19th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train runs from Siliguri to Darjeeling, and its narrow gauge tracks wind through stunning landscapes of hills, valleys, and tea gardens.
The Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) is a manufacturer of railway locomotives located in Chittaranjan, West Bengal, India. It is one of the largest locomotive manufacturers in the world. CLW is known for producing some of the most famous toy trains in India such as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway. These trains are popular among tourists and railway enthusiasts alike for their picturesque routes and historical significance.
Friends, you must have traveled on the train, but if you want to enjoy the ride on the famous toy train of India, then you have to go to these places…
Toy Trains In India
Toy trains in India refer to small-scale trains that run on narrow gauge tracks, typically found in the hilly regions of the country. These trains are known for their slow speed, sharp curves, and steep gradients, and are popular among tourists and railway enthusiasts for the scenic routes they take through picturesque landscapes. Some of the most famous toy trains in India include:
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: This UNESCO World Heritage Site runs between Siliguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal, and is known for its picturesque views of the Himalayan mountains.
- The Kalka-Shimla Railway: This 96-kilometer-long railway runs through the foothills of the Himalayas, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
- The Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This railway runs between Mettupalayam and Udagamandalam in Tamil Nadu and is known for its scenic routes and steep gradients.
- The Kangra Valley Railway: This railway runs between Pathankot and Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh and passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region.
- Matheran Hill Railway: It runs between Neral and Matheran in Maharashtra, it is the only steam engine train in India.
These toy trains are known for their historical and engineering significance as well.
5 Toy Trains In India
- Chuggington Wooden Railway: This wooden train set is based on the popular animated TV show and is suitable for children aged 3 and above.
- Brio Wooden Railway: Another wooden train set, Brio is known for its high-quality, durable trains and tracks that are compatible with other wooden train sets.
- Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway: This train set is based on the popular animated TV show and features engines and vehicles from the show.
- Hot Wheels Track Builder: This set includes Hot Wheels cars and a variety of track pieces that can be used to create custom race tracks.
- Lego Duplo My First Train Set: This train set is designed for children aged 2-5 and includes large, colorful Lego Duplo blocks that are easy for small hands to handle.
list of toy trains in India
- Chuggington Wooden Railway
- Brio Wooden Railway
- Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway
- Hot Wheels Track Builder
- Lego Duplo My First Train Set
- Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends TrackMaster
- Funskool Train Set
- Märklin My World Train Set
- Play-Doh Town Train Set
- Hape Wooden Train Set
Note: This is not a comprehensive list, and there may be other toy trains available in India. These are some popular ones.
best toy train in India
It is difficult to say which toy train is the “best” as it depends on individual preferences and needs. However, some popular and highly rated toy trains in India are:
- Chuggington Wooden Railway: This wooden train set is based on the popular animated TV show and is suitable for children aged 3 and above. It is known for its high-quality, durable trains and tracks.
- Brio Wooden Railway: Another wooden train set, Brio is known for its high-quality, durable trains and tracks that are compatible with other wooden train sets. It is suitable for children aged 3 and above.
- Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway: This train set is based on the popular animated TV show and features engines and vehicles from the show. It is suitable for children aged 3 and above.
- Lego Duplo My First Train Set: This train set is designed for children aged 2-5 and includes large, colorful Lego Duplo blocks that are easy for small hands to handle.
- Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends TrackMaster: it’s a motorized toy train set based on the popular animated TV show, suitable for children aged 3 and above.
It’s always recommended to read the reviews and compare the features before making a decision.
Famous toy train routes in India
India has several toy train routes, many of which are operated by the Indian Railways and run through picturesque landscapes and scenic routes. Some of the most popular toy train routes in India include:
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: This toy train route runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal, passing through tea gardens and offering panoramic views of the Himalayas.
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This toy train route runs between Mettupalayam and Ooty in Tamil Nadu, passing through the Western Ghats and offering beautiful views of the Nilgiri Hills.
- Kalka-Shimla Railway: This toy train route runs between Kalka and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, passing through the foothills of the Himalayas and offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
- Matheran Hill Railway: This toy train route runs between Neral and Matheran in Maharashtra, passing through the Western Ghats and offering beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
- Kangra Valley Railway: This toy train route runs between Pathankot and Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh, passing through the Kangra Valley and offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
- The toy train from Shimla to Kalka, this route is known for its picturesque views of the Himalayas and lush green valleys.
These are just a few examples, there are many more toy train routes in India, some of them are not in operation anymore, Some of the trains are not in operation anymore, but still, they are a tourist attraction.
how many Famous toy train of India
India has several toy train routes that are operated by the Indian Railways, as well as some privately operated toy train services. The number of toy train routes in India can vary depending on the source and the definition of a “toy train.”
Currently, there are only a few toy train routes that are still in operation in India, such as:
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: This toy train route runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This toy train route runs between Mettupalayam and Ooty in Tamil Nadu
- Kalka-Shimla Railway: This toy train route runs between Kalka and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh
- Matheran Hill Railway: This toy train route runs between Neral and Matheran in Maharashtra
- Kangra Valley Railway: This toy train route runs between Pathankot and Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh
These are the few operational toy train routes, there are many more toy train routes in India that are no longer in operation, but still, they are a tourist attraction.
the places where toy trains are run
The places where toy trains are currently run in India are:
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: This toy train route runs through the beautiful tea gardens and offers panoramic views of the Himalayas, it runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal.
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway: This toy train route runs through the Western Ghats and offers beautiful views of the Nilgiri Hills. It runs between Mettupalayam and Ooty in Tamil Nadu.
- Kalka-Shimla Railway: This toy train route runs through the foothills of the Himalayas and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It runs between Kalka and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.
- Matheran Hill Railway: This toy train route runs through the Western Ghats and offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys. It runs between Neral and Matheran in Maharashtra.
- Kangra Valley Railway: This toy train route runs through the Kangra Valley and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It runs between Pathankot and Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh.
These toy train routes are operated by the Indian Railways and run through picturesque landscapes and scenic routes. They are popular tourist attractions and are known for their unique and historic engineering features.
Conclusion
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the “Toy Train,” is a marvel of engineering and design, with its small size and ability to navigate steep inclines and tight curves. It was once an important mode of transportation for locals and a popular tourist attraction, but it now primarily serves as a tourist attraction, offering visitors a unique and memorable way to explore the beauty of the Darjeeling hills.
Overall, the famous toy train of India, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, is an important part of India’s cultural heritage and a beloved attraction for visitors from around the world. Its historical significance, unique design, and stunning scenery make it a must-see for anyone traveling to India.
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