Shimla toy train to run on solar power

SHIMLA: The Kalka-Shimla toy train - Himalayan Queen - has become the first in the country to have coaches operating on solar-based power system.

Each coach has been fitted with a 100-watt solar panel at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh, enabling the coaches to run for two days without the sun and make two trips to Shimla. The railways will also earn carbon credits through this green initiative.

The 96km Kalka-Shimla track is on the heritage list of UNESCO. The train passes through 102 tunnels and 864 bridges is considered as an engineering marvel.

Divisional railway manager, Ambala, P K Sanghi told TOI that the railways has taken the initiative of using clean and green energy for the Himalayan Queen to spread the message of saving the fragile ecology of the Himalayan state.

Railway authorities initially conducted a trial run by using solar panels on the toy train running on the Pathankot-Jogindernagar track. Based on its success, all seven coaches of the Himalayan Queen were fitted with solar panels, railways officials said. After switching over to the solar system, each coach has become lighter by 500kg. It has also reduced the need for frequent maintenance.