Darjeeling Toy Train
What is Joy? If you ask anyone who has visited Darjeeling, you will get the answer in a simpler manner. The Toy Train! Who doesn't know about the heritage of the well-known toy train in Darjeeling? It has its own essence of magnetism. As a result, people from the entire world wish to visit Darjeeling just to get the joy ride into the lap of Mother Nature. The toy train has added an extra flavor to the destination itself. Moreover, for decades the joy ride has become a cult in the tourism of Darjeeling. As a matter of fact, for its historical significance, UNESCO has given the tag of world heritage to Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR).
Darjeeling Yatra lets the tourists travel to Toy Train completely worry-free by providing them with pocket-friendly Darjeeling Tour Packages with all facilities. For a tour itinerary of Darjeeling, you can call now or fill up the inquiry form.
History of Darjeeling Toy Train
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways have gone through a lot of natural calamities. It has suffered a major earthquake as well as a cyclone. Still, the essence is virgin in state. The construction of DHR was consequently needed for the betterment of transportation.
The loop was mean to prevent the drastic fall of the toy train. Just after Ghoom station, there is a sharp descent. You won't even realize how the toy train actually descends by about 140ft as it completes Batasia loop through a large circular area and followed by a gentle slope and then crosses its own track near the beginning of the loop through a tunnel below. For this reason, it has become one of the greatest engineering inventions in history.
The Built
Not only has the view of picturesque landscapes of the province but the engineering of DHR crowned it as the world heritage. In the year of 1878, an agent of Eastern Bengal Railways named Franklin Prestage visited Darjeeling. Incidentally, he felt the urgency of the railway track in the region. Later, according to his request, the lieutenant governor of Bengal (Ashley Edens) granted the construction of the railway track in mutual agreement. The first stretch of the railway track was made in the year of 1880 from New Jalpaiguri to Kurseong. Afterward, the further track was built for 15 kilometers to Darjeeling linking Sonada along with it in the consequent year (1881).
The built of DHR was quite tough work. The steep gradient was creating hindrances to settle the railway track. But, between the years of 1879-1881 Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Company was hired to construct the line, and by March 1881 the track was taken far towards Tindharia. Earlier DHR was under private ownership. Later, the government of India has taken over in the year 1948. Subsequently, it was handed over to the North East Frontier Railways of India.
In 1994, UNESCO bestowed DHR as a world heritage site. Moreover, this is the second railways to achieve such glory.
