📍Tap for Directions
Location: Between Barog and Solan stations, ~60 km from Kalka, Solan District
📅 Season: March–June & September–November for train rides and heritage walks
A tunnel of mist and memory, where a British engineer’s miscalculation became a ghost story whispered through pine and steam
🏗️ Colonial Engineering & Tragic Legacy
Built between 1900–1903, Tunnel No. 33 was part of the Kalka–Shimla narrow-gauge railway, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tale unfolds:
- Colonel Barog, a British engineer, attempted to dig from both ends to meet in the middle
- Due to a miscalculation, the ends didn’t align—he was fined ₹1 and publicly humiliated
- Overcome with shame, he committed suicide near the tunnel, accompanied only by his dog
- His grave lies near the tunnel, and the completed structure was named in his memory
🪦 The tunnel stands as a monument to ambition, error, and redemption, blending British engineering with local lore
👻 Haunted Reputation & Friendly Ghost
Locals and travelers believe Colonel Barog’s spirit still lingers:
- Said to be a friendly ghost, often seen riding a horse or chatting with strangers
- Visitors report cold chills, whispers, and shadowy figures inside the tunnel
- The tunnel’s entrance was once locked, but the lock kept breaking mysteriously
🧠 Psychologists suggest the haunting may be a mix of local folklore, EMF effects, and expectation-driven perception
🌄 Scenic & Cultural Significance
- Tunnel No. 33 is 1,143.61 meters long, one of the straightest and longest on the route
- Trains take ~2.5 minutes to pass through, offering a surreal experience of darkness and echo
- The surrounding Barog station is a charming stop with pine forests, colonial cottages, and sunset views
🚞 The Kalka–Shimla train ride is a heritage journey, passing through 103 tunnels, 869 bridges, and 20 stations
🧭 Plan Your Visit
| 🗺️ Travel Tips | 🏡 Stay Options |
|---|---|
| Reach via Kalka–Shimla Railway or NH-5 | Barog Railway Retreat, homestays near Solan |
| Nearest railhead: Barog Station (~60 km from Kalka) | Combine with Dagshai Cantonment, Solan Brewery, or Kasauli |
| Best time: Spring & Autumn | Carry camera, torch, and respect local beliefs |
✨ Why It Belongs in Your Guide
Barog Tunnel reflects:
- Solan’s colonial and spectral heritage
- A living archive of engineering ambition and emotional depth
- A sanctuary of steam, silence, and storytelling
It’s not just a tunnel—it’s a ghost-lined passage through pine and pride, where history rides the rails and memory lingers in mist.
