If you are a person who is always in a hurry and is impatient to reach his destination then we are sorry, this toy train journey is not for you. Those, who believe that the journey itself is a destination and enjoy every bit of the journey, are the people who'll qualify to enjoy this trip from Siliguri to Darjeeling to the hilt. Otherwise known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, this train is affectionately known as a toy train. It is believed that this journey is among the most spectacular journeys across the world as it will awe you with both the sceneries that you'll encounter along the way as well as the tracks themselves which are an engineering marvel.


The first time this train rolled out it was only a four wheeled trolley and carried people as well as grains and other goods. It no longer carries grains, instead it carries couples on their honeymoon, college students out on their first excursion or tourists having the time of their lives.

Making of the Toy Train
Mr Franklin Pestage presented a proposal to the Government of Bengal in 1878 to lay a train line from Siliguri to Darjeeling. The proposal was accepted in 1879 and the construction began in the same year. The project was completed by July 1881. Formally the service was known by the name of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Company.



First the train was only run with a four wheeled trolley having a canvas roof and two benches made of wood. It was only later that a proper 26 feet long bogey was introduced. The steam engine of the toy train is also specially prepared to carry the train across the high gradient slopes of the hills. In 1915, a workshop was also started in Tindharia where the passenger coaches were repaired and made.

Wonder Track
In fact the whole railway track between Siliguri and Darjeeling is an engineering wonder as it gains in altitude almost miraculously from near the sea level to 7,400 feet within 51 miles. To attain the altitude required, the engineers have used “loop” as well as the “zig zag reverses”. It is no mean feat that the entire railway line was constructed without using a tunnel.

It doesn't use either the rack mechanism or cable as is used in other mountain railways systems. Whenever there is a steep slope, the tracks loop gracefully over it or go back to form a zig zag formation thereby gaining in altitude.

Journey Through Picturesque Landscapes
The winding journey begins at New Jalpaiguri as the train heads towards the Siliguri station. The pictures start appearing on the window of the train pretty early as you see the train passing over the river Mahanadi. As the train passes through Sukna, Rangtang and Chunbhati; you reach Tindharia where the railway workshop that makes the railway coaches as well as repairs them.

The major points to notice along the way are the breathtaking Eagle's Crag, Mad Torrent, Mahanadi Bazar etc. Kurseong is the place where you'll see the hectic city activity after which the train enters the Himalayas. Ghoom is the highest point after which the train descends all the way to Darjeeling.

As the other modes of transport have developed, especially with the advent of good quality roads, the toy train has become just that – a toy train. It is no longer a serious means of transport as carrying cargo has been stopped and is used to carry the tourists.