UNESCO Railways — Set 4
Indian Railways · UNESCO रेलवे · Questions 31–40 of 50
Which UNESCO mountain railway has the steepest track gradient in the world for a rack-and-pinion line?
Correct Answer: B. Nilgiri Mountain
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway features a gradient as steep as 1 in 12.5 in some sections. This requires the rack rail to ensure the train does not slip while ascending or descending. It is a rare functional example of 19th-century mountain rail technology.
How many bridges are located on the Kalka-Shimla Railway line?
Correct Answer: D. Around 800
The correct answer is 'Around 800'. The line features a staggering 864 bridges, many of which are multi-arched stone viaducts. These bridges were built without modern machinery using local stone and lime mortar. They are a testament to the skilled manual labor of that period.
Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Mountain Railways of India' recognized by UNESCO?
Correct Answer: C. Konkan Railway
While the Konkan Railway is an engineering marvel, it is a modern broad-gauge line and not a UNESCO site. The 'Mountain Railways' UNESCO group specifically honors historic narrow and meter-gauge hill lines. The Konkan line was built much later in the 1990s.
The station at Shimla is characterized by which architectural style?
Correct Answer: C. Tudor and Gothic
The correct answer is 'Tudor and Gothic'. Many stations on the Kalka-Shimla line, including the terminus at Shimla, feature British-style wooden and stone architecture. This style was chosen to suit the temperate climate and the mountainous setting. The buildings often resemble English cottages or mountain lodges.
Which year marked the centenary of the Kalka-Shimla Railway before it received UNESCO status?
Correct Answer: B. 2003
The line completed 100 years of service in 2003, having been inaugurated in 1903. Centenary celebrations helped bring global attention to its heritage value. This eventually led to its successful nomination for World Heritage status in 2008.
The 'Hill Cart Road' runs almost parallel to which UNESCO railway line?
Correct Answer: C. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway tracks cross the Hill Cart Road (National Highway 55) dozens of times. In some places, the train and road traffic share the same space for a few meters. This close proximity is a unique feature of the Darjeeling urban landscape.
Which of these UNESCO railway sites is the furthest north in India?
Correct Answer: B. Kalka-Shimla Railway
The Kalka-Shimla Railway is located in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. Darjeeling is in West Bengal, located in the eastern part of the country. Nilgiri is in the south, and CSMT is in the western coastal region.
Which UNESCO station features a statue of a lion and a tiger representing the British Empire and India?
Correct Answer: B. CSMT Mumbai
The entrance to CSMT (Victoria Terminus) has these two animals carved in stone. They symbolize the power and the joining of the two nations during the colonial period. The building is covered in hundreds of such intricate symbolic sculptures.
What is the primary reason UNESCO chose to protect these specific Indian railways?
Correct Answer: B. They are historical landmarks of engineering
UNESCO recognizes them as early examples of innovative and functional mountain transport systems. They illustrate the global exchange of values and technology in the field of transport. Their preservation ensures that these engineering milestones are not lost to modernization.
Which color is the famous Kalka-Shimla heritage train often painted in?
Correct Answer: A. Red and White
Most heritage coaches on this line use a traditional red and cream or red and white color scheme. This color palette has become a recognizable brand for Shimla's tourism. It stands out beautifully against the green pine forests of the hills.