Timeless Tracks: 5 Hill Stations in India Where Toy Trains Still Runs

There was a time when travel wasn’t just about the destination—it was the journey itself that told the story. Long before airports buzzed with announcements and highways drowned in honking horns, there existed a gentler, slower, more poetic way to reach the hills: toy trains. Introduced during colonial times, these narrow-gauge beauties once symbolized escape from the heat and chaos of the plains. Miraculously, they still exist today—unrushed and unbothered by modern timetables, continuing to wind through forests, tunnels, and clouds.

If you’re craving nostalgia with a touch of mountain magic, here are five Indian hill stations where these heritage railways still breathe life into slow travel. Let the whistle blow and the journey begin.

1. Darjeeling, West Bengal – The Queen’s Rails

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is no ordinary train ride—it’s a UNESCO World Heritage experience that climbs nearly 7,000 feet in just 88 kilometers. Starting from New Jalpaiguri, the toy train coils its way through tea gardens, tiny hamlets, and sharp loops that defy engineering logic. You’ll cross Ghum, India’s highest railway station, and if the weather gods are kind, catch a postcard view of Kanchenjunga. What makes this route unforgettable? The train doesn’t just pass by towns—it runs through them, sharing space with street vendors, school kids, and the daily rhythm of Himalayan life.

2. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – Through Tunnels and Time

If you want a ride that combines British legacy, breathtaking pine valleys, and a touch of drama, hop on the Kalka–Shimla Railway. Operational since 1903, this journey of around 96 km dances over 800 bridges and slips through 102 tunnels—one of which, the famous Barog Tunnel, has ghost stories attached! You begin in the sweltering plains of Kalka and slowly ascend into the misty embrace of Shimla. Keep your camera ready—apart from stunning vistas, you might just catch monkeys performing their acrobatic antics along the tracks.

3. Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Tamil Nadu – Nilgiri’s Whistling Wonder

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), another UNESCO-listed treasure, connects the quaint town of Mettupalayam to the hill station of Ooty. With its signature blue-and-cream coaches and old-school steam engine, this toy train climbs over 2,000 meters using a unique rack-and-pinion system—one of the few left in the world. Lush tea estates, eucalyptus forests, and steep cliffs make every curve a painter’s delight. The train moves slow, but that’s the whole point—letting you soak in the Nilgiris like a warm cup of chai on a rainy day.

4. Matheran, Maharashtra – The No-Car Zone on Rails

Not far from Mumbai lies Matheran, a hill station that feels like it belongs to another century. What makes it unique? No motor vehicles are allowed. You read that right—no honking, no traffic, just horses, walking trails, and the Neral–Matheran toy train. This narrow-gauge line ascends through the Sahyadri hills, weaving around sharp turns and lush forests. It may be the squeakiest ride you’ll take, but it’s full of old-world charm. And once you’re in Matheran, the silence is golden—your lungs and ears will thank you.

5. Kurseong, West Bengal – The Orchid-Scented Pause

While technically a stop on the Darjeeling route, Kurseong deserves its own spotlight. Nicknamed the “Land of White Orchids,” this serene hill town offers a more relaxed encounter with the toy train experience. You can hop off the DHR here and explore lush tea gardens, mist-covered trails, and British-era cottages. It’s less crowded than Darjeeling but just as charming—a perfect detour for travelers who like their mountains quiet and their tea fragrant.

In an era where travel is often measured in speed and convenience, these toy trains remind us of a different rhythm—where scenery matters more than schedules, and the ride is just as important as the arrival. They’re not just trains; they’re moving time machines, chugging through history, nature, and nostalgia. If you’re looking to trade in rush for romance, noise for nostalgia, and flights for feelings, climb aboard.