As you ride the ‘Toy Train’, it winds its way through the picturesque Himalayan foothills, transporting you at a leisurely pace, breathing in the crisp mountain air from the towering Himalayan peaks. Here you can see more hilly, green landscapes and forest. Here you find the beautiful list of the world’s Most Magical Toy Train Rides.
1. St. Kitts Scenic Railway – West Indies
The St. Kitts narrow gauge railroad is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. It was originally built in 1912 to transport sugar cane from the fields to the sugar mill in Basseterre. Today, the “last railroad of the West Indies” offers visitors a fascinating way to explore the island from the comfort of modern passenger trains and sightseeing buses. The rail line runs along the northeast coast where spectacular views of the sea, surf, cliffs and lush vegetation can be enjoyed. The train rolls over high steel bridges spanning deep ravines and winds through small villages and farms. Dark green rainforests are fringed by rolling sugar cane fields, and the volcanic cone of Mt. Liamuiga rises above the rail line. This unique rail and highway journey offers visitors the opportunity to explore the island in a very short period of time.
2. Darjeeling to Ghum Station – West Bengal, India
A ride on the toy train is a must when visiting the Darjeeling region. In 1964, this railroad started its passenger service. In the 1880s, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways offered toy train rides. UNESCO has declared this unique railroad a World Heritage Site. This ride offers panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges. These rides become even more beautiful when the train crosses the six zigzag tracks. Here you can explore between plantations and lush green forests. On this trip you will enjoy the view of a double spiral track that will give you a fantastic experience. The most important thing is that these train rides can offer a 360-degree view of the mountains. To catch a glimpse of the tea gardens covered by forests, you need to sit near the carriage windows. The settlement in this city will help you to experience the time before independence.
3. Harz Mountain Railway – Germany
The Harz narrow-gauge railroads have the largest network of narrow-gauge railroads in Germany and have been listed as a historic monument since 1972. You can choose the Harz Narrow Railways for a unique travel experience or a nostalgic ride. This railroad is located in the middle of Germany. On this trip you will see the Harz Mountains. This place is different from the alpine mountains, such as the Alps. Here you can see more hilly and green landscapes. The highest peak is almost 1142 m high. In northern Germany, it comes under the highest mountain. The toy train ride offers you a view the Harz National Park. The train passes through some of the historic towns and villages.
4. Corcovado Mountain Railway – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Your tour is incomplete if you are planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro and do not want to visit Corcovado Mountain. It is best to take a ride on the Corcovado rack railroad to enjoy the view of the mountains. During this train ride, you can enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside and mountain ranges. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you can enjoy the beautiful view of Rio de Janeiro. This city is considered the most popular tourist destination in Brazil and in all of South America. Also, from the top of the mountains you can see the breath-taking beaches and skyscrapers. A ride on the toy train to the top of Corcovado Mountain is one of the most popular attractions in Brazil. This train system carries nearly six hundred thousand or more people to the top of the mountain each year.
5. Snowdon Mountain Railway – Wales, UK
A ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway toy train will surprise you in every way. It is one of the most scenic train rides in the world. This train ride started from Llanberis station and went to the top of Snowdon. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful view of Ireland, Hafod Eryri. It is located 1,085 meters above sea level. If you want to spend a great vacation in North Wales with your family and enjoy the breathtaking scenery, you should consider this toy train ride. The best time to visit this peak is late spring, when the weather is very pleasant. Besides, the scenic beauty of this place is very impressive. On this train journey, one can enjoy the charming views of the mountain ranges. Besides, the scenic beauty of this place is very impressive.
6. Kalka-Shimla Railway – Himachal, India
This wonderful railway has the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kalka-Shimla railroad offers few toy trains in India. The toy train passes through lush green hills. This train ride can give you a panoramic view of the surroundings. This railway line is almost 96 km of narrow gauge. The railroad line crosses 850 bridges and 103 tunnels.
Recently, this toy train offers passengers a hop-on-hop-off service and stops at 20 stations. The beautiful architecture of the train stations is a symbol of India’s rich history. On this train route, tourists can enjoy fantastic landscapes that will give them lifelong memories. Numerous oak and pine trees frame the entire railroad line. The scenic beauty of this place makes the trip an unforgettable experience. This train ride lasts almost 5.5 hours. This toy train ride will refresh your mind and calm you down. During this ride you will feel very close to nature.
7. Sargan Eight Railway – Mokra Gora, Serbia
This railway line is located in western Serbia, near the village of Mokra Gora. It is also very close to the border with Herzegovina and Bosnia. It is interesting that the starting point and the ending point of this train journey are the same (in Mokra Gora). The station is located directly on the main road that runs through the village. Another interesting fact is that you can park for free right next to the station.
If you choose this toy train, you can experience a fulfilling day. The travellers not only enjoy the breath-taking landscapes of the region of Western Serbia, but also follow the glittering meadows and beautiful rivers. Continuing the journey by train, you can visit an extraordinary wooden town, Mecavnik, also known as Kustendorf. The famous film director Emir Kusturica created this beautiful town. At the end of the train ride, tourists can enjoy the breath-taking view of the house on the Drina River. They can also explore charming landscapes from the observation deck of the Podrinje Gate.
8. Nilgiri Mountain Railway – Tamil Nadu, India
To visit a famous hill station in Tamilnadu called Ooty, you must take a ride on the toy train of Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The British Raj established this railroad line. However, the Madras government proposed this railroad project in 1854. However, it was not completed until 1908 as the dense forest and rocky terrain made the task difficult. From Mettupalayam to Ooty, there is a railroad line almost 46 kilometres long. The toy train runs through 16 tunnels and over 250 bridges. Tourists can explore the best views from Mettupalayam to Coonoor. Some tourists only travel this route and then explore the tea plantations in the Coonoor region.
Conclusion
Toy train rides can enhance your travel experience. These train rides can make you travel with nostalgia for childhood. You can experience a peaceful journey on these trains where the destination is secondary. But most importantly, toy train rides are known to evoke these emotions.