Darjeeling toy train service from NJP to Ghayabari resumed

Steam engine toy train en-route to Ghayabari on Sunday.

Notably, since June, 2010, there has been no direct toy train services between NJP to Darjeeling, as its routes and tracks are damaged at different places in Kurseong region, mainly at 14th Mile Ghayabari and below the Tindharia Locomotive workshop due to frequent landslides. On June 14, 2010 a major portion of NH-55 along with adjacent railway tracks were destroyed at 14 Mile due to landslides. Later, on September 28, 2011, a major portion of railway tracks were destroyed by a landslide below the Tindharia Railway Workshop.

But recently, the affected site near the Tindharia Railway Workshop was reconstructed with new railway tracks.  Following which the route was opened on Sunday, where a group of foreign tourists enjoyed the ride of a steam engine toy train from NJP to Ghayabari.

The reconstruction works of the routes between Ghayabari station to Mahanadi station and further upwards from Mahanadi station to Kurseong station are yet to be completed.

When asked, a senior Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) official said the efforts are on by the railway department for the early resumption of the direct train services, but until and unless the landslides affected NH 55 areas is not constructed completely, it is difficult to resume the services till Darjeeling currently.

Source:EOI