After 81 years, Kurseong turntable for toy train revived

Siliguri: After 81 years, a turntable that enabled a toy train locomotive to do a 180° turn within minutes has been revived at Kurseong. The restoration took about four months, and trials are still being conducted at Kurseong. A similar turntable at Darjeeling station is operational.The restoration of the Kurseong turntable, which was out of order since 1943, will not only save DHR time but also significantly reduce fuel consumption. In the absence of the table, the next best option for a loco is to go around a loop. Since Kurseong doesn't have a loop, loco pilots had to push the compartments on the reverse trip instead of pulling them."The revival of the Kurseong turntable will enable better handling of locos, reducing the need for complex reversing manoeuvres and ensuring smoother operations. The restoration is a part of a broader effort to restore and preserve DHR's rich heritage, ensuring that both infrastructure and rolling stock continue to reflect the railway's historical significance while improving functionality," said DHR director Rishav Choudhary.DHR has also decided to increase the number of joyrides in the summer holidays when demand shoots up. DHR operates eight joyrides daily. It will be increased to 12 rides a day.Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a steam joyride heading to Ghum from Darjeeling had a minor accident when the train hit a cab parked on the tracks. There was no casualty, nor any disruption in service, said a DHR official. According to the loco pilot, he had applied the brakes immediately but since the track was on a slope, it took time for the train to stop.