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Darjeeling Toy Train
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is an exponent train of the Indian Railways. The very appearance of the train, replenishes the idea of "Toy Train". The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is lovingly called the "Toy Train". The Toy Train ride is a romantic approach to the Himalayas, a mysterious region. The landscape can only be described as spectacular and the views of the Himalayan peaks breathtaking. The Darjeeling Toy Train is one of the most famous narrow (2 feet) gauge trains. Built between 1879 and 1881, the route-track of Himalayan Railway extends to the length of 86 kms. The elegant railway has been acclaimed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.
Journey from Toy Train
The Toy Train moves at a mere elevation of 100 m from Siliguri to an altitude of 2,200 m in Darjeeling. It is quite amazing to know that the 83-km stretch between Siliguri and Darjeeling can be covered by boarding on a Toy Train in about 8 hours. The journey to the hilltop is just breathtaking and cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world in-spite of the narrow-gauge line. Construction of the railway line up to Darjeeling was completed by July 1881 and was named as Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Darjeeling Toy Train now a 117 years old fantasy- turned out to be much a pioneering work of appreciation.
The curved railway tracks connecting Siliguri in north Bengal with Darjeeling is a prodigy of tiny rail engine with its commodious coaches. The technique of constructing the track on hilly terrain was adopted from the ways of an Australian specialist whose work assisted the engineers in avoiding the requisiteness to dig tunnels, by extending the tracks through loops.
This joy ride begins at New Jalpaiguri, a busy railway station in the plains. The plains are much warmer than the hills and as the train climbs up the mountains the climate gets much colder. After six miles train reaches Sukna station from where the real ascent begins. Here the train normally stops for the engine to take water.
The route of this Toy Train covers the regions of New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri Town, Siliguri Junction, Sukna, Rangtong, Tindharia, Gayabari, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Dilaram, Sonada, Rangbul, Jor Bungalow, Ghum, Batasia Loop and Darjeeling. This whole route has got various loops and curves with great scenic beauty.
The picturesque background of the rail route has never failed to allure people from all over the world. Many silver screen movies have pictured this train to create an astounding ambiance. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has always been treated with gusto and fervor by travelers to the county. Travel Guide India
