Barog Tunnel on Shimla Kalka Rail Route

It was coincident that we saw a small cute train at Kalka Junction about to leave the platform for onward journey to Shimla. As we got down from the Kalka Shatabdi Express, we requested the coolly to take us to the Taxi Stand. On the way a smaller train was being readied for steaming off to Shimla. Could we get the ticket we asked a railway employee who said in affirmatively yes. She told us to get the tickets through the same coolly. And in a matter of few minutes, the coolly was back with the tickets, After I tipped him handsomely, we packed our suitcases in a rail-car which was parked near by.  Thank God, there was not much rush. 

       The Rail car also included a couple of honeymooners. 

Next five hours, the journey was a amazingly walk through heaven. The Kalka–Shimla Railway is a 2 ft 5 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway in North-West India travelling along a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. It moves slowly at 25 Km an hour though.

It is known for dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages.

While traveling by Himalya Queen and passing through the longest tunnel number 34 at Barog.

When Col Barog started the tunnel digging it from both ends.

One end of the tunnel, the wrong alignment of which led Col Barog to commit suicide

This 1143.61-metre-long tunnel, which passes through fissured sandstone, has a tragic story associated with its construction. Barog, who was in charge of this tunnel, committed the mistake of digging the tunnel from both ends of the hill. Both ends of the tunnel could not meet due to wrong alignment. It is said that the British authorities fined Barog Re 1 for wasting government money in the tunnel. The British engineer could not digest this humiliation and during a walk along with his pet dog, shot himself in sheer desperation. He killed himself near what now is the state government-run Barog Pine Wood Hotel. It is said that his dog upon seeing his master bleeding profusely ran in panic to a village, near the present Barog railway station, for help. However, by the time people reached the spot, Barog had breathed his last.

At Barog Station

After the death of Col Barog

Engineer H.S. Harrington was given the charge to dig a new tunnel. The new tunnel was constructed about 1 km away from the earlier point with the guidance of Bhalku, a local saint from Jhaja, near Chail.

Barog Tunnel as seen from Shimla side

Bhalku possessed natural engineering skills and it is believed that he also helped the British engineers to bore other tunnels on the track. According to Simla Gazette, the Viceroy presented Bhalku a medal and turban which are still treasured by his family. As much as Rs 8.40 lakh was incurred on the Barog tunnel. Work on it started in July 1900 and completed in September 1903. Many workers, most of them Indians, died during its construction. Trains, running at 25 kilometre per hour, take 2.5 minutes to cross the tunnel.