Steam locomotive at Darjeeling puffing its way
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is truly magical. A vintage steam locomotive pulls this narrow gauge toy train. In 1999, UNESCO declared the DHR a World Heritage Site.
We were close to the steam locomotive in the first row of the coach next to the loco. As a result, I perfectly understood what puffing meant. A steam locomotive is the ultimate multimedia experience. Furthermore, this experience has several dimensions. Steam and smoke are given. In addition to that, you get sound, water droplets, coal particles and motion.
History and Route
The toy train runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal. It was built between 1879 and 1881, with six zig-zags and five loops. The railway line is about 88 km (55 mi) long. It climbs from 100 m at New Jalpaiguri to 2200 m at Darjeeling. The daily tourist trains (from Darjeeling to Ghum — India’s highest railway station — and the Red Panda, from Darjeeling to Kurseong) and steam-enthusiast specials are hauled by vintage British-built B-Class steam locomotives. The railway’s headquarters are in Kurseong.
The recognition as a world heritage site by UNESCO has added to the charm of this railway system. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway draws tourists and railway enthusiasts from all over the world. ( Darjeeling, 2017 )
