Status Operational | Opened 1891 Track length 267 km (166 mi) | |
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge | ||
The Delhi–Kalka line is a railway line connecting Delhi and Kalka. It connects to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kalka–Shimla Railway.
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History
The Delhi–Ambala–Kalka line was opened in 1891.
The 2 ft (610 mm) wide narrow-gauge Kalka–Shimla Railway was constructed by Delhi–Ambala–Kalka Railway Company and opened for traffic in 1903. In 1905 the line was regauged to 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) wide narrow gauge.
Electrification
Sabjimandi–Karnal sector was electrified in 1992–1995, Karnal–Kurukshetra sector in 1995–96, Kurukshetra–Ambala in 1996–98?, Ambala-Chandigarh in 1998–99 and Chandigarh–Kalka in 1999–2000.
Loco sheds
Ambala has a diesel loco shed for minor maintenance of WDS-4 shunters. The locos are sent to Shakurbasti for major maintenance or repairs. Kalka has a narrow gauge diesel shed for the maintenance of ZDM-3 and ZDM-5 narrow gauge diesel locos.
Speed limits
The Delhi–Panipat–Ambala–Kalka line is classified as a ‘Group B’ line which can take speeds up to 130 km/h.
Passenger movement
Delhi, Ambala Cantonment and Chandigarh on this line are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.
Railway reorganisation
In 1952, Eastern Railway, Northern Railway and North Eastern Railway were formed. Eastern Railway was formed with a portion of East Indian Railway Company, east of Mughalsarai and Bengal Nagpur Railway. Northern Railway was formed with a portion of East Indian Railway Company west of Mughalsarai, Jodhpur Railway, Bikaner Railway and Eastern Punjab Railway.