Is Darjeeling Toy Train Back On Track After Four Months? Know The Details

Darjeeling Tourist has good news to rejoice! After remaining closed for four long months owing to excessive rainfall-induced mountain landslide, the famous and historic toy train known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has made a triumphant recovery. This has resulted in the opening of train operations much to the relief of the residents and visitors alike. The toy train that operates from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling started its operations on 17th November 2024.

Is Darjeeling Toy Train Back On Track After Four Months? 

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For the uninitiated, the DHR is also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The train ride is especially famous for the beautiful 87 km journey which passes through lush tea estates, beautiful hills and nice hamlets. Such beauty is offered through the Eastern Himalayan range which makes the region a magnet for tourists from different corners of the world.

The experience of riding the Darjeeling toy train is more than that of travelling – it is a trip back in time. This train lies in the town of Darjeeling since 1881 and has been an integral part of her majestic profile for a little more than a century. In the year 1999, the DHR was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site owing to its rich history and that of the people it serves. Over the years, it has been loved by many people, has been featured in some films, and many people who were lucky to have it created many memories.

The services were restored after few months of work especially after the landslide that occurred overtime on July 5 2024. Attention to restoring the railway lines and the safety of the passengers was given by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). Several trial runs were conducted to ascertain the stability of the tracks before the train could safely carry any passengers again.

In order to improve the services of the toy train, the railway authorities announced plans to bring in three new engines. This is expected to raise the volume of trains and give tourists more travel options, thus strengthening the role of the toy train in tourism and the economy of the region.

Surinder Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager of Katihar, highlighted the love for the DHR toy train all over the world. “People not just Indians but tourists all over the world adore the toy train. Since safety was of utmost importance, we had to do several trial runs before we were able to resume operations. New engines will come into place shortly to cater for the demand and the service will certainly be much better for the passengers,” he said in a statement.

The reintroduction of the Darjeeling toy train is indeed a historic occasion for the region as it once again asserts the place of the train in what is considered to be one of the most beautiful and popular train rides in the world.