Darjeeling Joy Ride

Unesco heritage site. Train ride is comfortable and enjoyable. But price is in higher side in compare to other two narrow gaze train line Ooty and Shimla.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the DHR or the Toy Train, is a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railway that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. Built between 1879 and 1881, it is about 88 km (55 mi) long. It climbs from about 100 m (328 ft) above sea level at New Jalpaiguri to about 2,200 m (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling, using six zig zags and five loops to gain altitude. Six diesel locomotives handle most of the scheduled service, with daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghum – India’s highest railway station – and the steam-hauled Red Panda service from Darjeeling to Kurseong. Steam-enthusiast specials are hauled by vintage British-built B-Class steam locomotives. The railway’s headquarters are at Kurseong.
On 2 December 1999, UNESCO declared the DHR a World Heritage Site. Two more railway lines were later added, and the site became known as one of the mountain railways of India.

How to Reach:

By Air

Bagdogra, 90 K.M. (via NH 110) away from Darjeeling, is the nearest airport connected by flights from major cities like Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati.

By Train

Apart from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Station (88 K.M. from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station) the two closest railway stations are Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. These railway stations have direct railway connections with Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, and other major cities of India.

By Road

The major access to Darjeeling by road is via Siliguri, 77 K.M. (via NH 55), which is connected to all the major cities of India. Bus service is available from Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand, Siliguri. Smaller vehicles are also available on seat-sharing/ hire from airport, railway station, motor syndicates / police motor stand. Facility of Pre-paid taxi stand from NJP Railway station & Bagdogra airport can also be availed. The four routes that one can opt from Siliguri to reach Darjeeling are: Tindharia – Kurseong route Dudhiya – Mirik route Rohini route Pankhabari

This route provides breath-taking panoramic views of the Himalayas and the nearby hills. A few number of stops are special and unique in their own way. The journey starts from New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri. Sukna provides a look to the wildlife in the region. The Agony point and the Batasia Loop are one of the most important and popular stops. The train stops at the Batasia Loop for 10 minutes for the passengers to enjoy the view and visit the Gorkha War Memorial which displays the selfless service of the Gorkhas in the British Raj. It halts at Ghum for another 30 minutes for a visit to the DHR Railway Museum.

Siliguri, at the base of the Himalayas, was connected with Calcutta by a metre gauge railway in 1878. Between Siliguri and Darjeeling, Tonga services ran on a cart road – the present-day Hill Cart Road. Franklin Prestage, an agent of the Eastern Bengal Railway, approached the government with a proposal to lay a steam tramway from Siliguri to Darjeeling. Ashley Eden, lieutenant governor of Bengal, formed a committee to assess the project's feasibility. The proposal was accepted in 1879 after a positive report by the committee, and construction began that year.
Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Company was hired to construct the line, and by March 1880 track was laid as far as Tindharia, and Lord Lytton, the first viceroy to visit Darjeeling, rode to Tindharia on the train. The stretch from Siliguri to Kurseong opened on 23 August 1880, and from Siliguri to Darjeeling on 4 July 1881. The company's name was changed to Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Company.

Joyride is waste of money and precious time. Railway charges Rs.1000 per ticket but it is not worth using it. Better hire a cab and enjoy.

It is a waste of time. It takes around 3 hours for this ride from Darjeeling to ghum and return.
On the route, there is no special way of the mountains. It is over priced.
Not good experience.
Won't recommend to anybody.

Waste of money, that too 1000 rs for diesel train. If you want to see some old buildings and dirty areas of the city you can go for it. No chance of seeing any natural beauty as the buildings cover the view throughout the route.

Worst experience. Absolute waste of time and money. The train passes through city, extremely polluting (both air and noise). Should definitely avoid!

I liked the ghum station as it has value in the sense that it is the world's highest heritage railway station.

But the overall ride goes through city streets, buildings, local shops, etc. and honestly it is overcrowded. I was expecting some beautiful scenery but kind of little bit disappointed.

It's just my personal experience, otherwise please don't mind 🙏🏻.

Quite well maintained. There are two platforms for the steam and diesel joyrides. You can also get souvenirs at the station. The coaches don't have toilets so make sure to use the washroom at the station.