These beautiful Indian railways are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Indian railways boasts of rich history and heritage, which can be traced back to the British era. Interestingly, a few railway stations that were built more than a century ago are still in operation and are part of rich railway heritage.Trains have been the most affordable mode of conveyance for people across the country. Also, there are train lovers who love many other aspects of rail journeys, other than the budget.But, did you know that a few railway stations in India have bagged the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site?Well, here is all that you need to know.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a narrow gauge single-track railway that connects Mettupalayam and Ooty in Tamil Nadu via Kellar, Coonoor, Wellington, and Lovedale, and the train journey in itself is an unbelievable experience. This railway started its operations in 1908, and bagged the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. What makes this journey interesting is that once aboard this train, you pass through 16 tunnels, 250 bridges, and 208 curves, and get to enjoy spectacular views of the Western Ghats and rolling hills.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the first-ever hill passenger railway in the Indian state of West Bengal. Built between 1879 and 1881, this railway is often fondly called the Toy Train, and attracts visitors from across the world. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway started in 1881, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, whereas the line has been classified as a Heritage Line by the Indian Railways, and is undoubtedly one of the scenic routes in the country. The best time to experience this beautiful train journey is during monsoon when the weather remains, and so does your view.

Formerly known as the Victoria Terminus Station, this historic railway station offers a glimpse of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India. Designed by British architectural engineer FW Stevens, the structure of the terminus showcases Italian Gothic style; as per the records, it took around 10 years to build it. Previously, it was named Victoria Terminus to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, and was later renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in 1996 to honour the great Maratha Emperor.

The Kalka Shimla Railway covers a distance of 96.54 km and passes through beautiful places, such as Solan, Barog, Salogra, Kandaghat, Shoghi, Taradevi, Jutogh, and more. It was built by the British between 1898 and 1903, and got the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. This railway is definitely one of the most beautiful railways in India, and offers you some of the most beautiful scenery of the great Himalayas. Once abroad, you enjoy a train journey through the mountains and valleys of Himachal Pradesh, a lifetime’s experience.