History of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR)

After the British initiated the initial settlement at Darjeeling in 1828 and the town’s subsequent growth, a rail link was deemed economically necessary. In 1878, Eastern Bengal railways Franklin Prestage drew up a plan for a 2-feet gauge railway line between Siliguri and Darjeeling, using locomotives that could handle steep climbs. After an initial sanction in 1879 for a steam tramway, the DHR came into being in 1881.

The 88km train ride of DHR starts at New Jalpaiguri at just 100m above sea level and climbs all the way up to an altitude of 2200m above sea level to reach Darjeeling. It uses 5 loops and 6 zigs zags to make the climb easier on steeper gradients, for its 6-locomotive (diesel). There are over 130 unmanned crossings along the route, where the train runs mostly by hand signals. DHR also runs a vintage steam-engine train for steam-engine enthusiast. Similarly, there is also a steam-engine Red panda service that runs part of the way, from Darjeeling to Kurseong.

Even today, the train’s three coaches with large windows built for better visibility still retain their vintage feel. This train ride is a photographer’s delight, especially as you get out at least stop to explore the surrounds. The train’s drivers and handlers are extremely tourist-friendly, hence, stopping a bit longer at the request of a passenger is quite common.

The DHR had been suspended between New Jalpaiguri and Kurseong since 2010 due to frequent landslides, services have resumed since December 2015. Frequent landslides make operating trains on this route quite a hand-on job and hence DHR has been frequently criticized by the UNESCO regarding their operation. But despite service interruptions due to landslides, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway remains one of the most iconic attractions here.

Here’s a BBC documentary on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways uploaded by The Weekend House.