Shimla, Nov 09: Thousands of people thronged here today to celebrate a week-long centenary celebration of Kalka-Shimla Railway service as the heritage train driven by olden time steam engine rolled out of the station with scores of VIPs on board. People lustily cheered on the occasion as Railway Minister Nitish Kumar announced a slew of projects and promised to liberally allocate funds for the service making a bid for enlistment in Unesco world heritage site.

The tastefully decorated and flower-bedecked heritage train with six bogies was driven by steam engine kc 520, manufactured by north British locomotives, London in 1906, which was renovated for the mega event and renamed as pavandoot. The joy ride on the toy train took minutes to reach Kaithalighat, a distance of 31-km on narrow gauge hilly railway line with people on board enjoying the panoramic beauty of mountains as it snakes through the curves and tunnels.

Several other programmes like display by mounted cavalry of the army, performance by fusion band and display by dare devil army motorcyclists, plays by noted film star Anupam Kher and groups from National School of Drama would also be organised during the celebrations. All major tunnels, bridges and railway stations along the 96.6 km railway line have been illuminated and the vintage card rally which was received by the Chief Minister at Kiarighat also reached Shimla.

Bureau Report