Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - Travel-Of-India

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Toy Train

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Image

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the important events in the history of India and a great pleasure to travel. It is located in Darjeeling, a famous city in West Bengal, India. It was Built between 1879 and 1881, which covers about 88 km (55 Miles) of gauge railways running between New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, Darjeeling to Ghom and Darjeeling to Kurseong. It is located in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. This railway is known as DHR or Toy Train.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway gradually reaches the station of Darjeeling from Jalpaiguri, at an altitude of about 7,218 feet above sea level. Reaches its destination using six zig-zags and five loops along the way. It is operated from Kurseong on three ends like Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, Darjeeling to Ghom and Darjeeling to Kurseong. It runs every day with 6 bogies in the shape of a red panda. It is largely powered by a British-built B-Class steam locomotive. The DHR or Toy Train was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway History

In 1878, Siliguri was connected to Kolkata by a meter gauge railway. And the Tonga Service between Siliguri and Darjeeling runs also on Hill Cart Road (Old Name Cart Road). First Franklin Prestige, an agent of the East-Bengal Railway, offered the steam tramway from Siliguri to Darjeeling to the government. Finally, Ashley Eden, the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, started the construction work in 1889 after analyzing the case. Gilanders, Arbuthont and Company were entrusted with this construction work.

The first track was laid to Tindharia in 1880 and was inaugurated by Lord Lytton, the first Visaro of Darjeeling. It was opened from Siliguri to Kurseong in 1880 and from Siliguri to Darjeeling in 1881. At first a steam locomotive, four loops and four zig-zags were built in 1882 with a slight modification of the train due to the steepness of the road. It is still going on in this hill town.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Trains Steam Locomotives

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway trains, railways, and stations are vested in the Ministry of Railways of India. The Ministry of Railways maintains and manages it on a daily basis. The main headquarters of this railway is Kursing.

In 1910, DHR purchased a third Garrett locomotive, the D Class 0-4-0 + 0-4-0 T. It was later sold to an enthusiast in the UK. Which is currently running on private railways like  the Ffestiniog Railway, the Launceston Steam Railway and the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway.

All steam locomotives currently used in Darjeeling Himalayan Railway have 0-4-0 ST B-Class. A total of 34 locomotives have been built so far, but only 12 locomotives were used or repaired by 2005.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Route

Starts the journey from New Jalpaiguri station. Then take the Hill Cart Road and slowly reach the town of Darjeeling on the hill. On the way through various jungles, mountains, Darjeeling city, honking loudly, the passengers happily reached the destination.

         Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Map

The stations are New Jalpaiguri (NJP), Siliguri Town, Siliguri Junction, Sukna, Rangtong, Tindharia, Gayabari, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, Rongbull, Jorebungalow, Ghum, Batasia Loop and Darjeeling.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Timetable

Jungle Safari Special Train Timetable

Diesel Howled Jungle Safari Special Train Round Trip starts from Siliguri Junction to Tindhariya Via Rongtong and back to Siliguri Junction. On this trip you can see Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Chumbhatti Loop and Tri Z-Reverses, It's departure time is 10:30am and return time is 15:20pm.

Evening Safari Special Train Timetable

Steam Loco Hauled Evening Safari Special Train Round Trip starts from  Siliguri Junction to Rongtong and back to Siliguri Junction. On this tripe you can see Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary with Heritage NG Steam loco &  Heritage Dining car. It's Departure time is SGUJ at 14:45pm, SN 15:20pm and RTG at 16:00pm and Return journey from RTG at 16:35pm,  SN 17:10pm and SGUJ at 17:45pm.

Joy Ride Timetable

Many travel lovers travel from Darjeeling to Ghum round trip. After reaching Ghum from Darjeeling, the railway stops for 30 minutes to visit Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum. The entry fee for this museum is also included in booking tickets. The train timetables are given below...

Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling Timetable

Train No.	Loco	Dept.	Arrv.	From	TO
52593	Steam	09:15	11:20	DJ	GHUM
52594	Steam	09:25	11:20	DJ	GHUM
52591	Diesel	09:45	11.25	DJ	GHUM
52595	Steam	11:30	13:25	DJ	GHUM
52596	Steam	11:40	13:35	DJ	GHUM
52597	Diesel	12:00	13:40	DJ	GHUM
52598	Steam	13:50	15:45	DJ	GHUM
52592	Steam	14:00	15:50	DJ	GHUM
52599	Diesel	14:20	16:00	DJ	GHUM
52544	Steam Spl.	16:10	18:10	DJ	GHUM
52545	Steam Spl.	16:25	18:25	DJ	GHUM

Please Note: These (52591, 52592, 52593, 52595, 52596, 52545 & 52599) trains are canceled from 1st July to 30th September for Rainy Season and from 1st  December to 28th February for winter season.

Passenger Train Timetable

Below are the local trains timetable from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and from Kaursing to Darjeeling.

New Jalpaiguri-Kurseong-Darjeeling Timetable

Train No.	Train Name	Dept.	Arrv.	From	To
52540	DJ-NJP  (Daily)	08:00	15:15	DJ	NJP
52541	NJP-DJ  (Daily)	10:00	17:20	NJP	DJ
52587	KGN-DJ (Daily)	06:30	09:05	KGN	DJ
52588	DJ-KGN (Daily)	16:00	16:00	DJ	KGN

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Fare

New Fare Details Below

Jungle Safari Special Trains Fare

Round trip from Siliguri to Tindharia by Charter Train Diesel Locomotive at ₹ - 29,770/-

Evening Safari Special Trains Fare

Steam Loco Hauled Evening Safari Special train trip strarts journey from Siliguri Junction to Rongtong and back to Siliguri Junction. On this trip you can see Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary.

Siliguri Junction To Rongtong

Train No.	Dept.	Coach	Fare
52556	15:00p.m (Round Trip) Heritage	CDR FC	1,200/- 1,000/-

Joy Ride Fare

Below are the local trains fare from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and from Kaursing to Darjeeling.

Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling Fare

Trains	Loco	From	To	Class	Fare
52591	Diesel	DJ	Ghum	FCZ	1,000
52592	Steam	DJ	GHUM	FCZ	1,500
52593	Steam	DJ	GHUM	FCZV	1,600
52594	Steam	DJ	GHUM	FCZ	1,500
52595	Steam	DJ	GHUM	FCZV	1,600
52596	Steam	DJ	GHUM	FCZ	1,500
52597	Diesel	DJ	GHUM	FCZ	1,000
52598	Steam	DJ	GHUM	FCZV	1,600
52599	Diesel	DJ	GHUM	FCZ	1,000

Passenger Train Fare

New Jalpaiguri-Kurseong-Darjeeling Fare

Train No.	Train Name	From-To	Classs	Fare
52540	DJ-NJP Passenger Train	DJ-NJP	ACZ FCZ	1,700 1,420
52541	NJP-DJ Passenger Train	NJP-DJ	ACZ FCZ	1,700 1,420
52587	KGN-DJ Passenger Train	KGN-DJ	FC Second	743 281
52588	DJ-KGN Passenger Train	DJ-KGN	FC Second	743 281

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Ticket

You can book tickets online from this website www.irctc.co.in.

Or you can buy tickets from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Booking Office in Variety types of Heritage Coaches, 1st Class Coaches, 2nd Class Coaches, Flat Open Wagon & Cover.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the oldest historical sign in India. The name of this toy train is spread all over the world. Every year many foreign tourists come to see this train or to travel by train. Let us all unite to protect this World Heritage Site.