Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the DHR or the Toy Train, is a gauge railway that goes between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. Built between 1879 and 1881, it is about 88 km (55 mi) long. It climbs from about 100 m (328 ft) above sea level at New Jalpaiguri to about 2,200 m (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling, using six zig zags and five loops to gain altitude. Six diesel locomotives move most of the scheduled service, with daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghum – India's highest railway station – and the steam-hauled Red Panda service from Darjeeling to Kurseong. Steam train specials are hauled by older British-built B-Class steam locomotives. The railway's headquarters are at Kurseong.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Passing a fruit shop in Darjeeling
Terminus	Darjeeling
Commercial operations
Built by	Franklin Prestage
Original gauge
Preserved operations
Owned by	Indian Railways
Operated by	Northeast Frontier Railway
Stations	14
Length	88 km
Commercial history
Opened	1879
Preservation history

On 5 December 1999, UNESCO named the DHR a World Heritage Site. Two more railway lines were later added, and the site became known as one of the mountain railways of India.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Media

• 

  Elysia Place in Kurseong, the railway's headquarters

• 

  Garratt Class-D steam locomotive

• 

  Stations in DHR

• 

  1880 line through the Terai

• 

  WTC [i.e. World Transportation Commission] on the Darjeeling Railway

• 

  The Choonbatty loop in 1895

• 

  Darjeeling reversing station around 1905

• 

  The Agony Point loop in 1921

• 

  A steam driven passenger train negotiates a bend on a narrow track which descends towards Darjeeling. Two "brake men" ride at the rear of the end carriage.