Toy Train which crosses Hiils & Valleys of Kangra District : Pathankot to Jogindernagar

I visited Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra, Dharmashala & other surrounding areas many times but never got a chance to enjouy the toy train journey between Pathankot & Jogindernagar.

Patahnkot is in Punjab & Jogindarnagar is in Mandi district of Himachal but when you opt for the train journey, your train crosses most of the Kangra District region which is known for its beautiful valleys.

Recently when I visited Palampur, one of my friend was telling me about this railway track. This railway track was built during 1926-1929 and was opened for transporting raw material for construction of Shanan Power House(Joginder-nagar) on April 1st, 1929

Unlike the Shimla-Kalka train, where the passengers spend most of the time going through tunnels, the Kangra toy train linking Pathankot and Jogindernagar gently meanders through a maze of hills and valleys, offering the travelers enchantingly scenic view.

The work on this line started in 1926. Three years later this, 163 km. long route was opened to traffic. The entire route commands glorious views of nature and unveils myriad facets of history, art and culture. The grand spectacle of Kangra Valley begins unfolding after the train enters the foothills. Hillocks rise on both sides and as the train moves over the meandering streams, the Dhauladhar begin to gain in prominence. Emerging through Daulatpur tunnel and past the ruins of the old Kangra fort, one is surprised by the change in the landscape.

The Dhauladhar rises up 13,000 feet from the valley floor. The wide Kangra Valley, with its well-watered terraces, is simply superb. As the train inches on, the passengers adore the open countryside and the shining white peaks. An unmistakable pine scent fills the air and the track is suddenly fringed on both sides by the tea gardens of the Palampur region. The stretch between Baijnath and Joginder Nagar is the steepest. Here the train moves at a snail's pace till it reaches the highest point on the track at Ahju. Not far from here are the popular para-gliding and hang-gliding sites of Bir and Billing. As the train approaches Joginder Nagar, the white mountains, gradually begin fading away.

As of now I don't have any photograph of Kangra valleys & hills which come on the way but I will try to get some pics soon...