There were 34 British tourists and some Indians in the train that meanders through hills and valleys. The trip started around noon from Kalka for Shimla. Two bogies of the train derailed 15 minutes after it pulled out of Kalka station. The injuries of three of the tourists are serious. Some Indians were also among the over ten injured. The injured were shifted to the ESIC hospital in Parwanoo and to Max Hospital in Chandigarh. Reports said British nationsals Diane Logan, George Bertram and Andrew Summerhayes are at the Max Hospital. Another injured tourist is Peter Lloyd, his wife Pauline Lloyd from Lancashire told reporters. Most of the British tourists were in their 60s. Other tourists have been taken to a Panchkula hotel from Kalka railway station.

The cause of the mishap has not been ascertained. The railway ministry has ordered an inquiry. The train was chartered by a UK-based travel company - York-based Great Rail Journeys - and assisted by a travel guide from Shimla. It had four luxury coaches. Two of derailed. All trains on the route have been cancelled.

Accidents are rare on the line. In December 2008, a derailment of three coaches in a tunnel in Solan killed one passenger.

Kalka, in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a town in Panchkula in Haryana. The place derives its name from the Hindu goddess Kali. It is an entry point for Himachal Pradesh. The toy train started its journey for Shimla, the Capital of Himachal Pradesh, from Kalka station, in 1903. It runs at a speed of 25 kmph. Delhi-Ambala-Kalka is 250 km and takes about five hours by train.

Shimla is a very popular destination for tourists since British rule. The Kalka-Shimla rail line is narrow gauge and is over 100 years old. It was declared a world heritage by Unesco in 2008.

ALSO SEE: UK's Great Rail Journeys sending team to India to assist British tourists of derailed Kalka toy train