Heritage Train or heritage special train is a preserved train in Indian railways which is specialized for tourist-focused service designed to showcase India’s rich railway history, operating on scenic nature or historically significant routes.
Also known as Toy train, Indian railways operates them on Mountain region, these routes were tough to electrify/convert into broad gauge due to heavy Ghat section. less space to replace with new tracks
Top 3 Toy train routes designated by UNESCO world heritage site under the mountain railways of India
⭐Some of the examples of toy train route top 3
Mettupalayam- Udagamandalam (Ooty) toy train via coonoor, operated by Nilgiri Railways
The only Meter Gauge train route in Tamilnadu.
Darjeeling-New Jalpaiguri toy train
operated Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in West Bengal
Kalka -Shimla Toy train.
Kangra Valley and Matheran Hill Railway are on the tentative list of UNESCO world Heritage Site.
Pathankot-Jogindar Nagar Kangra Valley line
Neral-Matheran Hill Railway in Maharashtra
Length of the Narrow Gauge track is approx 600–762 mm
⭐Indian Railways also operates Steam Heritage Special train between Ahmedabad and Ekta Nagar Kevadiya (Statue of Unity) to showcase steam engine vibe with power supply via electric pantograph.
It features 4 AC Vistadome-type coaches and a specially designed restaurant car, designed for a luxurious, modern-vibe, yet nostalgic experience.
It's a broad gauge train.