Kalka Shimla rly must be UNESCO heritage site: NR

New Delhi, July 8: Hill Railways have completed a century of operations. In this context, Northern Railways are very keen that the Kalka Shimla railway should be put up for UNESCO recognition.

The hill railways have unique features and when they were initially laid, their conception, design and construction were feats of engineering marvels, a character which they still retain.

With a view to give more pace to the efforts, two films, namely "Kalka-Shimla railway" and "Simla Odyssey" have been produced on Kalka Shimla railway. The films tell the saga of Kalka Shimla railway, right from the discovery of Shimla to the rolling of trains in the hilly section.

The screening of the films was jointly organised by the Institute of Rolling Stock Engineers and the Indian Steam Railway Society here yesterday.

In a length of 96.6 kms,the Kalka to Shimla line required 869 small and 33 large bridges to criss cross the valley and ravines.

The bridges are stone brick masonry,with a few multi arch gallery bridges buil like roman acquaducts,some of which have been declared Heritage structures and a sight to behold, a lasting tribute to the engineers.

From Kalka to Shimla, out of 107 tunnels that were bored there are 102 tunnels in operation, with 20 stations enroute.

The rails had to be bent 919 times. Almost every 100 meters,the line has a curve and 70 percent of the curves are reverse curves.

The maximum speed permissible on this track is 22 km per hour.

At one time before the advent of railways, only a few and resourceful could manage to reach Shimla. Once a resort of rich, the Railways transformed Shimla into the reach of common man.

UNI

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