HERITAGE ON THE TRACKS

THE ICONIC DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY, FONDLY CALLED THE TOY TRAIN,' HAS HELD ITS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE STATUS SINCE 1999

- PIYALI SEN

"THE MOST ENJOYABLE DAY I HAVE SPENT ON EARTH MIXED ecstasy of deadly fright and unimaginable joy"-that's how Mark Twain described his journey on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in 1895.

Established in 1881, this engineering marvel offers a thrilling journey through picturesque landscapes, gaining elevation through loops, turns, and zigzags. Said to be Asia's oldest narrow gauge railway, it begins its 88-kilometre journey in New Jalpaiguri at a height of around 100 meters (330 feet) and ascends to Ghum at an impressive altitude of 2,258 meters (7,407 feet) before ultimately arriving in Darjeeling.

The train crisscrosses along the Hill Cart Road, which involves over 150 crossings, runs along loops tracing a full circle to finish some 20 feet higher, and manoeuvres the infamous Z-Reversemoving forward, reverse, and forward again on a "Z" layout-to gain altitude.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately known as the "Toy Train," has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. It is part of the Mountain Railways of India, which consists of three remarkable rail routes in different parts of the country that were recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their historical significance and iconic infrastructure.

A GLIMPSE OF LIFE IN THE FOOTHILLS

Originally constructed between 1879 and 1881, this narrow-gauge train transported passengers and freight between Darjeeling and Siliguri. A significant revenue source during its early days, it played a crucial role in ferrying essential commodities such as grain from the plains to the hills while bringing back sought-after products like tea, oranges, ginger, and cardamom.