As of 15 October 2026, the Kalka–Shimla toy train does not run from Kalka. Northern Railway has cancelled ten of the line’s regular trains until 30 November 2026 while it rebuilds a washed-out stretch of track near Bridge No. 57, between Taksal and Gumman stations. The only service still running is one train each way between Dharampur and Shimla, and it has been filling up through Navratri. If you planned to board the toy train at Kalka this October or November, you now have to reach Dharampur by road first, and you should expect a full train.
This guide sets out what the railway has actually ordered, what is still running, and how to keep the toy train in a Shimla trip while the lower section is shut. It is based on reports from The Tribune, Amar Ujala, Dainik Jagran and PTI published between 30 September and 14 October 2026. Sources are linked at the end.
What happened, and when
On 29 August 2026, heavy rain washed away the soil under the track near Bridge No. 57, between Taksal and Gumman. Gumman is in the lower section of the line, between Kalka and Dharampur. The Tribune reported that the damage left part of the track hanging in the air. Repairs then slipped because later spells of rain washed away new construction material and crate walls at the site.
The railway at first suspended trains until 15 September, then until 30 September. On 30 September 2026 it issued a new order extending the cancellations to 30 November 2026. Here is what that order covers, according to The Tribune and Amar Ujala:
| Train | Status until 30 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Up trains Kalka → Shimla: 52457, 52451, 52459, 52455 and the Up Mixed | Fully cancelled |
| Down trains Shimla → Kalka: 52458, 52452, 52460, 52456 and the Down Mixed | Fully cancelled |
| 52453 (up) | Runs Dharampur → Shimla only; Kalka–Dharampur cancelled |
| 52454 (down) | Short-terminated at Dharampur; no Dharampur–Kalka leg |
Reporters have described 52454 in slightly different ways. Dainik Jagran (11 October) and PTI (14 October) both say the line now has a single train in each direction between Shimla and Dharampur. Treat that as the working position.
Is it reopening sooner?
Possibly, but nobody has confirmed it. On 1 October The Tribune quoted officials saying the restoration work had picked up pace now that the rain had stopped, and was “likely to be completed in the next one month”. The formal cancellation order still runs to 30 November, though. On 14 October, PTI reported that Shimla’s traders and taxi operators had been given no clear timeline for full restoration and wanted the repairs speeded up. Until Northern Railway announces that trains are running through from Kalka again, plan on 30 November.
Extra Dharampur–Shimla trains: proposed, not confirmed
On 6 October, Amar Ujala reported that the railway was preparing to add up to two more Dharampur–Shimla trains for the festival season. The plan was to start one, then add a second if demand held. A new timetable had been sent to senior officials for approval. As of PTI’s 14 October report, though, only one train was still running each way. Do not plan around the extra services until they appear on the railway’s enquiry system.
What this means for your trip
The toy train has not disappeared from your trip. What you lose is the first stretch out of Kalka, and you have to get to the train by road. Here is how that changes things, depending on when you travel.
Travelling between now and 30 November
- Board at Dharampur, not Kalka. Dharampur is in Solan district on the Kalka–Shimla highway (NH-5), at the turn-off for Kasauli. Drive or take a cab from Chandigarh or Kalka to Dharampur station, then take the train up to Shimla. (Our Kalka to Shimla taxi can meet you at Kalka station and stop at Dharampur on the way.) Above Dharampur, the line still passes through Barog, with its famous long tunnel, then Solan, Kandaghat, Shoghi and Summer Hill.
- Book early and expect a full train. With one train serving the whole demand, Amar Ujala reported the Dharampur–Shimla service running close to capacity. It also reported crowds at Dharampur station over the 10 October weekend. Book through IRCTC as early as you can, and check the train number and timing against the railway’s enquiry service (NTES or 139) on the day before you travel. Reports differ on the exact timings, so we have not printed them here.
- Keep a road plan ready. If you cannot get a seat, the drive from Chandigarh to Shimla on NH-5 is the usual way up. A useful split is to send the cab ahead with your luggage while you ride the train, then have it collect you in Shimla. Our Chandigarh to Shimla taxi page explains how that works with a driver who meets you at the other end.
- Going downhill works too. If you are leaving Shimla, you can ride the train down to Dharampur and have the car meet you there for the drive to Chandigarh. The views are the same either way.
Travelling in December or for New Year
December is the line’s busiest month in search interest, and in Shimla it is peak season. Christmas and New Year sell out the hotels in town. We cannot tell you today whether the full Kalka–Shimla service will be back by then. The current order ends on 30 November, but that is the end of the cancellation, not a promised restart date.
- If you book a Kalka departure for December, assume you may need a Dharampur fallback, and pick a ticket you can cancel cheaply.
- Build the itinerary so the toy train is a bonus on one day, not the only way you reach Shimla. If the train becomes a road transfer, your whole trip should still work.
- For what Shimla is like in December (weather, snow chances and the Christmas crowd), see our Shimla in December guide.
On a Shimla–Manali package
Most visitors use the toy train as a slow, scenic way into Shimla at the start of a longer trip, then switch to the road for Kufri, Narkanda or Manali. That pattern still works with the Dharampur change. The only difference is a short drive before boarding. If your itinerary includes the train, ask your operator exactly which station you will board at and who is carrying your bags. On our own Shimla Manali tour package from Chandigarh, the private cab covers the whole route anyway, so the train is an add-on rather than a dependency.
Why this line matters so much in October and November
The Kalka–Shimla Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge line. According to the figures PTI cited on 14 October, it has 102 tunnels, around 800 bridges and 919 curves. It is one of the most searched train journeys in India: Google Ads keyword data puts “kalka shimla toy train” at about 33,000 searches a month, rising to around 40,500 in November and 49,500 in December. Searches for “dharampur to shimla toy train”, a phrase hardly anyone used before, jumped to their highest level in September 2026 as people worked out the new arrangement.
The timing hurts. The festive weeks bring large groups from West Bengal for Durga Puja; Shimla’s Kali Bari temple holds evening programmes through Navratri. Both PTI and Amar Ujala reported that these visitors traditionally prefer to come up by rail. PTI quoted local taxi operator Rajiv Sharma as saying the route used to have several trains a day and had been reduced to a single train to and from Dharampur for the past month.
The line has been hit by monsoon damage before. A major washout at Summer Hill near Shimla stopped trains for weeks in August 2023. Recent monsoons have made the lower Kalka–Dharampur section a repeat trouble spot, which is worth knowing if you are planning a monsoon trip in future years.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kalka–Shimla toy train running today?
Only in part. As of 15 October 2026, one train runs each way between Dharampur and Shimla. All trains between Kalka and Dharampur are cancelled until 30 November 2026 under the railway’s 30 September order. Check NTES or call 139 on the day you travel.
When will the toy train start again from Kalka?
No restart date has been announced. The cancellation order runs to 30 November 2026. Officials told The Tribune on 1 October that the repair could finish within about a month, but on 14 October PTI reported there was still no clear restoration timeline. We will update this page when Northern Railway confirms through running.
How do I get to Dharampur station from Chandigarh or Kalka?
By road on NH-5, the Kalka–Shimla highway. Dharampur is in Solan district at the Kasauli turn-off. A taxi or your tour cab can drop you at the station. Allow extra time on weekends and holidays, when traffic heading up to Shimla builds on this road.
Can I still book Kalka–Shimla toy train tickets for December?
Check IRCTC for what is open for your date. Because the current order ends on 30 November and nobody has confirmed a restart date, treat any December booking from Kalka as provisional, and keep a Dharampur or road fallback.
Are the extra Dharampur–Shimla trains running?
Not as far as we can confirm. Amar Ujala reported on 6 October that one or two extra trains were being prepared, pending approval. As of 14 October, PTI still reported a single train each way.
Is the road to Shimla affected?
The cancellations are about the railway track only. For live road conditions, follow Shimla and Solan district administration and Himachal Police traffic advisories, and the IMD Meteorological Centre Shimla forecast, rather than any blog, including this one.
Planning a Shimla trip around this?
Suzu Travels is a Himachal-based operator. We can set up the Chandigarh–Dharampur drop, the train ride up and a car waiting in Shimla, or skip the train if seats are not available. For the wider picture, see our best time to visit Shimla guide. Call or WhatsApp 7087488961.
Sources
- The Tribune, 1 October 2026: 10 trains on Kalka-Shimla heritage track suspended till November 30 for repairs
- Amar Ujala, 30 September 2026: Kalka–Shimla track, 10 trains cancelled till 30 November, two running partially (Hindi)
- Amar Ujala, 6 October 2026: Two additional Dharampur–Shimla trains being prepared (Hindi)
- Dainik Jagran, 11 October 2026: Toy train not back on track despite Navratri rush; only one train running (Hindi)
- Financial Express / PTI, 14 October 2026: Shimla-Kalka toy train disruption hits tourism during festive season
Search-volume figures are from Google Ads Keyword Planner (India), checked 15 October 2026. Train numbers and dates are as reported from the railway’s 30 September 2026 order; timings change, so confirm on NTES or 139 before you travel.
