Darjeeling is crowned with the title of “the queen of hills” a world-class hill station of Eastern Himalayan located at an altitude of 2250 m (7500 ft). Darjeeling is the gorge of meandering rivers, lush green tea gardens and attractive valleys. That makes the land a perfect place for those tourist who are searching for a relax life in natural surroundings. Traditional hospitality is an added feature for the travelers of Indian railways. For giving a lavish communication to the tourist Indian railway is serving its level best.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) lovingly called as the toy train was come in operation in 1881. It is 2 ft (610) long rail tune-up from Siliguri to Darjeeling and run by Indian railway. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a unique creation of Indian railways serving for the well and good of its travelers. The unique feature of Darjeeling Himalayan railway (DHR) is the steam engine. Modern diesel engine is now applied for Darjeeling mail. In 1999, the train has gained the reputation of worlds heritage site by UNESCO.
Today DHR has an accumulation of 17 working locomotives and one baby Sivak. From these 17 locomotives, 11 can be categorized as class steam locomotive. Two class steam locomotives have converted into oil firing and another four into hydraulic locomotives. Diesel is supplied only by demand of passengers.
Travel in DHR is for those passengers who are not at all hurried and stressed but for those who want to enjoy the journey and not impatient to reach his destination. The toy train looks like fixing together of several matchboxes. DHR moves with a maximum speed of 15 Km per hour thus take a minimum of nine hours in the journey of Darjeeling to Siliguri. Online railway ticket information provides all the necessary requirements regarding Darjeeling railway ticket booking.
Shivalik, Kanchenjunga is some railway coaches with wide windows presents the outstanding view of Rhododendron slopes. Besides, all the railway coaches are neat and clean preferred and highly preferred for a hygienic meal. The DHR moves in a very close vicinity to market areas, this helps the travelers to buy goods from shops. DHR hugs the hillsides and gains attraction of those who are fun seekers and adventure lovers. Thus Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) ushers those travelers who believes in “journey itself the destination”.
