Duration : 9 hrs.
Destinations Covered : New Jalpaiguri-Tindharia-Sukna-Rangtong-Chunbati-Ghum-Darjeeling.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway started in 1881, is also known as Toy Train. The train is a narrow gauge train running from Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. The Toy Train covers a distance of 86 kilometers taking a total time of nine hours. UNESCO has awarded the Toy Train as World Heritage.
The train starts its journey from Jalpaiguri which is in a plain region. Soon after start, the train climbs to higher altitude running through the scenic hilly region. Next stop is Siliguri station.
After leaving Siliguri station the train passes over Mahanadi Bridge, near to the origin of River Mahanadi. It is a thrill to travel in a steam engine train, creeping in the beautiful valley. The train slowly crawls to the next station Sukna.
Sukna is full of beautiful tea plants valley, lush green hill slopes full of high teak and pine trees. From the train the passengers can view the panoramic view of blue hills down side. Next station is Rangtang.
High mountains and deep valleys create a mesmerizing effect on the tourists. In olden days, Rangtang had a rest house for the foot travelers. Next station is Tindharia.
In olden days travelers used to stop in Tindharia for taking tea. Here the train takes a zig-zag route in valley around ‘Giddha Pahar’. After this the train takes a short stop at ‘Pagla Jhora’ to take water.
Leaving the Tindaria station, the train passes through picturesque silhouette of hills and slopes to reach Mahanadi station. After mahanadi the next station is Kurseong which gives some feel of the local people, tradition and culture.
Next station is Tung, which gives a clear view of the path trail of the train. The train and road crossing gives a feeling of a small crawling creature in the beautiful valley.
The passengers can view the Tibetan Chorten Stupa in the way near to the next station Sonada. The forest covering the area is full of wide variety of plants and flowers and is famous for birds.
After passing the high traffic area of Jorebunglow, the train reaches Ghoom, one of the oldest and highest stations of world. After Ghoom the train takes a curve named as Batasia loop towards Darjeeling city. A memorial for Gorkha soldiers is built near the loop. From here one can take a look of Kanchenjunga peak are snowcapped throughout the year.
The train finally reaches Darjeeling, welcoming the passengers.
