Darjeeling toy train to be equipped with AC coaches

The word famous Darjeeling toy train, also known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, will soon get a facelift. This move comes as a surprise for many, keeping in view the 137-year-old history of the train. It has been chugging through the picturesque plains of Siliguri to Darjeeling hills all these years, enthralling travellers all the way.

Read More: Romancing the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
All the 14 steam engines of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR), which runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, will be revamped and the coaches will be air-conditioned. As per the railway officials, this development comes in order to meet the tourists’ demand for comfort.

Ashwani Lohani, chairman of Railway Board, stated, “The steam engine is crucial to the heritage of DHR. We will upgrade and use all the 14 steam engines. We will also introduce air-conditioned coaches modelled along the coaches in the heritage railways at Shimla.” He also informed that the other value-added services that the railways intend to introduce are charter services and railway buses.

There are also plans to introduce second-class coaches in this popular diesel-run Darjeeling toy train. This will help in making the fare affordable and enable tourists, who want to travel budget, to also avail this facility. Currently, an hour long trip by the steam loco from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back, which is around 16-km, costs INR 1300.
However, old-timers are not so happy with this development. As per their view, the charm of the joyride, the joy of experiencing the weather change as one gains altitude, will be lost in the AC compartment because of their sealed windows.