World Heritage Darjeeling Toy Train Offers to Visit Incredible India

Darjeeling Toy Train – World Heritage Trains

A journey by the Darjeeling toy train is truly an exhilarating experience. Though the 83 km stretch is covered in about eight hrs but the experience is beyond description. Captivated by the ethereal beauty of the Kanchenjunga, Franklin Prestage, the agent of the Eastern Bengal Railway formulated the plan for Darjeeling Railway in 1878. Construction of the railway line up to Darjeeling was completed by July 1881 and the earliest locomotive came from Atlas Works in Manchester. The Darjeeling Steam Tramway Company, which was formed later, became the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Company in September 1881.

The earliest passenger vehicles had canvas roofs and wooden benches. There was a first class carriage for six passengers, a second-class carriage for eight and third class open trolleys with side and end curtains for a load of 16 passengers each. The zigzag railway linking Siliguri in north Bengal with Darjeeling is a marvel of miniature rail engineering and girdles streams and tea gardens on the way to Sukana where the ascent begins. By the time it reaches Chunbhati and crosses the loop, it has climbed up to 672.9 m. The method applied in constructing this line had been first adopted by an Austrian, Chega, who helped the engineers in obviating the necessity to bore tunnels, by artificially lengthening the line by means of looping it.

The train strikes the first spiral or loop followed by the second in proximity of the 20-kilometer post. It is an amazing engineering feat, practically a double loop, for the rise from Rungtong to Tindharia. The third loop is around 22 kilometers away and lends an enchanting peep into the valley below with the Bhutan range in the east, the Teesta River and its Tiger Island in the southeast. The sensational point of the fourth spiral, the Agony Point, is reached outside the Tindharia station.

The tiny engine puts in its best effort while hauling one up more than 1,463 m to Kurseong. Smiling Bhutia and Lepcha women with babies strapped across the back, heavy silver trinkets oxidized by the air, costumes bright as a peacock’s tail, all add to the charm of the journey.

Past the wayside haunts of Tung Chutlinkpur, and Jorebunglow, one arrives at Ghoom, 2,257.65 m above sea level, which is Asia’s highest railway station. Darjeeling, the destination comes after six kilometers ride downhill from here.

Time Table of Darjeeling Toy Train

Tariff Structure

All steam charters are charged at INR 20,000/- (Including Dining Charters) for details and booking please email at director.dhr@gmail.com or call +91 90020 41050 /90020 41001

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You can book ticket by simply visiting your nearest Computerized Reservation Counter in India OR you can log in www.irctc.co.in for online booking.

If you do not have the opportunity to book, never mind, just drop in DHR station and book your ticket.

Steam Charter Trains

Enjoy Steam Train Charter on selected sections in DHR ! Booking a Steam-Charter is very easy now. All you have to do send an e-mail at director.dhr@gmail.com to us to confirm the availability of dates. you may get in touch with our officials for payment and further details.
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Other Special Trains in India
– Kangra Valley Railways
– Kalka Shimla Hill Railway
– World Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Train
– Darjeeling Toy Train