| Darjeeling
Himalayan Railway, DHR
 Narrow
Gauge trains are used in parts of India to travel to hill stations.
The total area of the Narrow Gauge in India is about 4500 kilometers.
Arguably the most magnificent train journeys through the narrow
gauge are the 88 kilometers through the gorgeous terrain to
Darjeeling from Siliguri.
UNESCO has declared the toy train as a World
Heritage Site. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, popularly known
as the 'Toy Train' is one of the main attractions of the region.
The track on which the train runs is only 600 millimeters wide.
The size of the train is commensurate giving it the name `Toy
Train`.
History: The study of the history
of DHR reveals that the train started its voyage on July 1881.
Before the establishment of DHR it took 3 days to cover the
distance of 600 kilometers between Calcutta and Darjeeling.
The British found Darjeeling attractive as a summer respite
to avoid the heat and dust of the plain. Hence the importance
of Darjeeling increased. Along with this the tea grown in the
hills also became famous. Although Siliguri was connected to
Calcutta by train, the transport between Darjeeling and Siliguri
had to be in horse drawn carts thus giving the main connecting
road its famous name - the Hill Cart Road. To improve transportation,
the British Government set up the engineering marvel that took
of towards the end of nineteenth century.
 The
Track and the Train: The reason behind the making of the
track so narrow is that it helps the train to go through safely
in the sharp turns of the hills. There were 50 engines in working
condition when Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was at the zenith.
The Sharp Stewart of Glasgow designed all the locomotives. It
requires four men to operate the engine, two inside the engine
and two pour sand on the track in order to increase the grip
of the wheels over the track.
The Journey: The 88 kilometers journey
through the ups and downs in the hills has always attracted
the tourists. The total journey comprises of 16 kilometers in
the plains. It takes 6 hour to reach Darjeeling by the toy train
from its present starting point Siliguri Junction.
The stations, which will appear to you during the trip, are
Sukna, Rangtong, Chunabhati, Tindharia, Gayabari, Mahanadi,
Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, Ghoom
and Darjeeling.
A brief detail about the DHR Stations are
given below:
 Sukna:
The distance of this station from Siliguri is 7.25 miles. The
station was established on 23rd August 1880. 'Sukna' means dry
in Nepali. This station is the starting point of the up ride.
Rangtong: This station is situated at an altitude of
1404 ft. from the sea level. Rangtong Station is situated at
a distance of 11.75 miles from Siliguri. This station was also
set up on 23rd August 1880. Rangtong is a Lepcha word and it
means the southern river.
Tindharia: Tindharia mean the three ridges. When the train
reaches this station then you are at an altitude of 2822ft.
This station is established on 23rd August 1880 at a distance
of 19 miles from the Siliguri town.
Kurseong: At a distance of 31.75 miles from Siliguri the
altitude will be 4844 ft. and here you will find the Kurseong
Station. The station was built on 23rd August 1880. The word
Kurseong came from the Lepcha word Kurson-rip that means the
place of white orchids.
 Tung:
The elevation of this station is 5606 ft. and it was established
on 4th April 1881. The meaning of the name of this station,
situated at distance of 36.25 miles from Siliguri, is the place
of Tun trees.
Sonada: The station is situated at a height of 6552 ft.
and the distance from Siliguri is 41.25 miles. The station was
inaugurated on 1st February 1881. The name was given such because
of the bears used to come here very frequently and the word
Sonada means the lair of the dear.
Ghum / Ghoom : Ghum is the highest Indian as well Asian
Railway Station. The altitude of this station is 7407 ft. The
distance of the Ghum station from Sonada is 6 miles. The station
was set up in 4th April 1881.
Darjeeling: The last station in DHR route the Darjeeling
station is situated at an altitude of 6812 ft. This station
is about 163 years old. The meaning of the name of Darjeeling
is the 'Dorje' or the mystic thunderbolt.
There are 3 loops and 5 switchbacks in the total DHR track.
In these switchbacks the engines reverses and goes forward to
gain the height. Among the loops the most famous one is the
Batasia Loop. There are 132 unmanned level crossings in the
route. |
