Darjeeling Toy Train

Darjeeling Toy Train Route

Darjeeling Toy Train journey starts from New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) and at Chunamandi the train comes to its z-crossing, starting the zig-zagging or reversing in order to attain higher elevation. It takes approximately eight hours to reach Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri by Darjeeling Toy Train. The Batasia Loop was constructed in 1919, eliminating the problems by creating easier gradients on the ascent from Darjeeling. However, DHR started to face competition from bus services that started operating in the Hill Cart Road and took less time than the railway to reach Darjeeling. In 1934, a major earthquake in Bihar shook all of Northeast India. Many buildings in Darjeeling were heavily damaged and the railway was also badly affected, although it soon recovered and played a vital role in transporting repair materials.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s toy train has long been viewed with affection and enthusiasm by travelers to the region. The railway is about 78 kilometers (48 mi) long. Its elevation level varies from about 100 meters (328 ft) at New Jalpaiguri to about 2,200 meters (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling. Four modern diesel locomotives handle most of the scheduled services; however, the daily Kurseong-Darjeeling return service and the daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghoom (India’s highest railway station) are handled by the vintage British-built B Class steam locomotives. The railway, along with the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway, is listed as the Mountain Railways of India World Heritage Site. The headquarters of the railway is in the town of Kurseong. Operations between Siliguri and Kurseong have been temporarily suspended since 2010 following a Landslide at Tindharia.

In 2021, after the CoVID 19 lockdown, the Indian Railway has decided to add Vistadome coaches even with the Toy train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Due to the Vistadome coach’s large window and also roof glasses, you will get a complete panoramic view of the surrounding hills and the lush greenery. In short, you will feel quite close to nature when the transparent window glasses will be in between you and nature. Each of these coaches has 44 seats with a capability of turning 180 degrees. The observation lounge at the end of the couch offers a great view due to its even larger windows. There are also many other lucrative facilities such as sockets for charging, digital display screens, Wifi, mini pantry, speakers, and more.

Jungle Safari in Toy Train- Siliguri to Rongtong and Back

Not more than 17 km away from the main town of Siliguri, Rongtong is a small sleepy village on the roadside situated at an elevation of 1404 feet above sea level. This Toy Train Jungle Safari starts from Siliguri Junction, goes through Sukna, and then finally reaches Rongtong. You will get a unique experience as you will be driven through the dense forest of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. The view of lush greenery from the train’s window and the breathtaking view of the valley from Tindharia make the travelers crave for more. The toy train halts for around 20 minutes at Rongtong and then resumes its returning journey to Siliguri Junction again. Depending upon the number of travelers, the toy train usually runs with two of three coaches. The round trip distance is approximately 35 km which takes around 3 hours to cover. The Toy Train Jungle Safari only runs during the high tourist seasons.

Toy Train Jungle Safari Timings and Fare

Toy Train Jungle Safari ride fare is 1000 rupees per person. One can also book the Toy Train Jungle Safari on a semi-chartered basis. The semi chartered round trip’s fare from Siliguri is around 30000 rupees. To book the semi-chartered round trip, one has to contact Darjeeling Himalayan Railway authority. Toy Train Jungle Safari can be booked online hrough the office portal of Indian Railways (IRCTC). The train departs from Siliguri Junction at around 2:45 pm and reaches its destination Rongtong at around 4:40 pm. The train halts there for around 20 minutes and then starts the returning journey at 4:40 pm. The train finally returns back to Siliguri Junction at around 6:05 pm. As per the coaches are concerned, the toy train runs with one general coach with a seating capacity of 17, a dining coach with a seating capacity of 12, and also a newly added Vistadome Coach with large windows and rooftop glasses. From this particular coach, the view of the Jungle is quite magnificent and the journey can be enjoyed to the fullest. During its journey to Rongtong, the train stops at Sukna Railway Station. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum of Sukna is worth visiting here.

Darjeeling to Ghum Toy Train Joy Ride

Toy train joy rides operate from Darjeeling Railway Station to Ghum. It’s roughly a 2-hour round trip from Darjeeling up to Ghum and back via Batasia Loop. The distance of the journey is around 15 km. There are several such round trips during the day starting in the morning. The number of rides per day depends on the demand during the season. In high seasons such as summers, several trains could be operating simultaneously and there could be 18-20 rides a day. Ghum is the highest altitude station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail track. Ghum is 7407 ft above sea level. The toy train comes to a halt here for a 25-minute visit to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) Museum. The DHR Museum sits on the site of the station. The Baby Sivok, the oldest toy train engine, is the star of the show. The museum entry fare is included in the ticket fare. On its way back, the train makes a 10-minute stop at the Batasia Loop. The train makes a loop around a well-groomed garden at Batasia and its war memorial. On a clear day, the view of Darjeeling town and Kanchenjunga’s snow-capped peaks is unrivaled from Batasia Loop. The joy ride from Darjeeling to Ghum offers a splendid traveling experience by the toy train which has been used since the British Colonial Period and is tagged as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in recent years.

Darjeeling to Ghum Toy Train Timings and Fares

Darjeeling to Ghum Toy Train Timings gets changed frequently depending upon the demands of the travelers. The up-to-date timings can be found on the official website of Indian Railways. While booking, you can choose from a diesel-engined pulled toy train or a steam engine pulled toy train. The steam engine hauled toy train provides the authentic experience of the colonial era and the heritage as it is the kind of engine originally used back then in the British era. But keep in mind that, the steam engine hauled train fare is costlier than the diesel-powered toy train as the maintenance cost of the former is high. The toy train joy ride fare for the diesel-powered train is around 1000 rupees per person (First class seats). And for the steam-powered toy train first-class seats, you have to pay around 1500 rupees. For the first class Vistadome seats of steam-powered toy train, the fair is around 1600 rupees per person. Darjeeling to Ghum Toy Train Joy Ride can be booked online through the Indian Railway’s Official website or offline at any computerized ticket reservation counter.

New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP) to Darjeeling Toy Train

During the high tourist season, Toy Train ( 52541) runs daily from NJP to Darjeeling. During the journey, this diesel hauled toy train has stoppages at Siliguri Junction, Sukna, Rongtong, Tindharia, Gayabari, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, and Ghum. As per the coaches are concerned, the train has two first-class coaches and one ac chair car coach. During the high tourist rush, additional coaches are added. There is also a luggage van to store the luggage of the passengers boarding this Darjeeling Toy Train.

The toy train (52541) starts its journey from NJP towards Darjeeling at around 8:30 am and reaches its destination at around 3:35 pm. It covers approximately 88km. The returning toy train (52540) departs from Darjeeling at around 8 am and reached NJP at 3:10 pm. The train only runs on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. (Train timings are subject to change and the latest timings can be found on the Indian Railway’s Official Website).

Kurseong to Darjeeling Toy Train

The train (52541 from NJP) departs Kurseong at 2:30 p.m. and arrives in Darjeeling at 5:20 p.m. The total distance is 31 kilometers. The down train (no. 52540) leaves Darjeeling at 8 a.m. and arrives at 10:30 a.m. in Kurseong. It is normally pulled by a diesel locomotive with two or three carriages (the train has First Class and AC Chair Car coaches). Between Kurseong and Darjeeling, there is also a regular school train. This diesel-powered train departs from Kurseong at 6:30 a.m. (no. 52587) and arrives in Darjeeling at 9:05 a.m. The train leaves Darjeeling at 4.10 p.m. (no. 52588) and arrives in Kurseong at 6:40 p.m. There are First Class and Second Class Sitting Coaches available.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has introduced the Him Kanya Toy Train, which runs on weekends between Darjeeling and Kurseong (i.e. on Saturdays and Sundays). This is essentially a tourist train that is pulled by a diesel engine and has two first-class coaches. At 8:30 a.m., the train departs Darjeeling and arrives in Kurseong at 11 a.m. The train thereafter departs Kurseong at 1:15 p.m. and arrives in Darjeeling at 4:05 p.m.

Regular Darjeeling Toy Train Fares

The regular Darjeeling Toy Train Fares are as mentioned below

• Darjeeling to NJP: For First Class- 1420 rupees, For AC Chair Car- 1700 Rupees
• Darjeeling to Ghum: First Class 450 Rupees, For AC Chair Car- 525 Rupees
• Darjeeling to Sonada: For First Class- 590 Rupees, For AC Chair Car- 700 Rupees
• Darjeeling to Tung: For First Class- 610 rupees, For AC Chair Car- 720 Rupees
• Darjeeling to Kurseong Himkanya Train: For First Class- 1000 to 1200 rupees.

(Note: The fare are subject to change, we will keep you updated about the recent fares).