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Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR)
The toy train on the Darjeeling Himalayan section is not merely a source of delight for the young and old, it also represents the engineering skills of the highest order. This 83 km. long section connecting Darjeeling with the railhead at Siliguri is of great importance and has been bestowed World Heritage Site status. The railway line from Siliguri to the beautiful hill section of Darjeeling is considered an engineering feat and passes through very picturesque country.
The railway line is laid more or less on the same alignment as the Hill Cart road, which criss-crosses the line at several locations. The line between Sukna and Darjeeling is almost all along located on the road-bench wither skirting or on the far edge of the road except at a few locations where the road and rail formations are on different level and follow a different alignment. Out of a total of 87.48 km., 64 kms. are on the same road bench. The actual climb starts from Sukna encountering steep gradients and curves all the way long. There are some peculiar features to be marked during the journey. The train passes through dense forest from Sukna and it chugs along the hill slopes and at places where a clear path is not available. The climb is through reverse and loops. There are 5 such reverses, 3 loops, the most famous being the BATASIA LOOP between Ghum and Darjeeling. Apart from this, the section has 5 major, 498 minor bridges and 177 unmanned level crossings. There are 14 stations including New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling with an average inter distance of 6 to 7 km. Except between Siliguri and Sukna where the distance is over 10 km., Ghum station is the second highest railway station in the world to be reached by steam locomotive.
Train Services and Time Table
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Up Train No
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New Jalpaiguri
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Siliguri
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Kurseong
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Darjeeling
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1D
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9: 00 Hrs
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9:30 Hrs
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13:17 Hrs
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16:15 Hrs
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3D
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9: 00 Hrs
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18.00 Hrs
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9D
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15:00 Hrs
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17:50 Hrs
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Joy Ride
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10:40 Hrs
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Joy Ride
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13:20 Hrs
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Sukna Special
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1030 Hrs
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Jungle Safari
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1115 Hrs
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Dn Train No
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Darjeeling
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Kurseong
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Siliguri
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New Jalpaiguri
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2D
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9:15 Hrs
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11:55 Hrs
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15:40 Hrs
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16:50 Hrs
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4D
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11:00 Hrs
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19:00 Hrs
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9D
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10:15 Hrs
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13:10 Hrs
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� Joy Ride is between Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling, Round trip is about 2 Hours
Sukna Special is between Siliguri-Sukna-Siliguri, Round Trip is about 2 hours
Jungle Safari is between Siliguri-Tindharia-Siliguri every weekend, Round Trip is about 5 and half hours.
Please note: 3D /4Dservices run only during tourist seasons. Sukna Special and Jungle Safari are on demand. They are booked by local tour operators or by group.
1D & 2D : Composition: 2 First Class + 1 Second Class + 1 Second Class cum Luggage Van
Locomotive: NDM6 Type Diesel Locomotive.
3D & 4D : Composition: 3 First Class + 1 First Class Cum Guard Van
Locomotive : NDM6 Type Diesel Locomotives.
9D & 10D: Composition : 1 First class + 1 Second class/ First Class + 1 Second Class cum Luggage Van or 2 First Class + 1 Second Class
Locomotives : ’B’ Class Steam loco
Tariff Structure of DHR
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Train No
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Train Name
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Source
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Destination
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Distance
(Kms)
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First Class Fare
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Second Seating
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1D
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NJP DJ NG TRAIN
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New Jalpaiguri
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Darjeeling
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88
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247
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42
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3D
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HIMALAN PRINCES
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New Jalpaiguri
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Darjeeling
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88
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247
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--
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9D
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KGN DJ NG TRAIN
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Kurseong
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Darjeeling
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31
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144
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--
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Same fare applies for return directions.
How do I book a ticket?
You can book ticket by simply visiting your nearest Computerized Reservation Counter in India OR you can log in www.irctc.co.in for online booking. If you do not have the opportunity to book, never mind, just drop in DHR station and book your ticket.
Joy Ride and Special Trains
Joy Ride Train: This is running from Darjeeling to Ghum and back to Darjeeling with a 10 minutes stoppage at Batasia loop and 30 minutes stoppage at Ghoom Museum and the fare includes entry fee of the Ghoom Museum.
Composition : 3 First Class Coaches.
Locomotive : ’B’ Class Steam Locomotives.
Sukna Steam Special : This is running from Siliguri Junction to Sukna and back to Siliguri Junction with a 30 minutes stoppage at Sukna for visiting Sukna Photo Gallery.
Composition : 3 Second Class Coaches.
Locomotive : ’B’ Class Steam Locomotives or NDM6 diesel locomotive.
Holiday Special or Jungle Safari Special: The Holiday Specials are offered on Saturdays, Sundays and on General Holidays on demand from Siliguri Jn. to Tindharia and back. The Tourists can enjoy breathtaking views of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and the World Famous Z-Reverses between Sukna and Tindharia.
Composition : 2 or 3 Second Class Coaches Locomotive: ’B’ Class Steam or NDM6 Locomotives
Steam Charter Trains:
DHR offers the Chartered trains for Tourists, Travel Agencies, Corporate Houses and film shooting etc. either single trip or round trip from any station to any station. The composition and timings are flexible. The tourists can choose their own composition from a wide variety of coach types. Usually Steam Locomotives are provided for Charter Trains Steam Charter Trains.
Enjoy Steam Train Charter from any station to any station on DHR !
All steam charters are charged at INR 20,000/- . A Booking a Steam-Charter is very easy now. All you have to log on to www.railtourismindia.com.
DHR also offers special Joy Rides between Darjeeling and Ghum, extra pair of trains to/from New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling and Jungle (Heritage) Safari during this tourist season.You can call at +91 354 200 5734 / +91 354 225 2555 to know about special services or ask by email to director@dhr.in or director.dhr@gmail.com
Key officials of Darjeeling Himalayan Railways
Contact Details of Director/DHR:
Phone: +91 354 200 5734 / +91 353 2566 056 / +91 354 2345 253
Mob: +91 90020 41050
Fax: +91 353 256 1371/ 256 6056 / +91 354 234 5253
Director / DHR
Camp Office, Area Office
(NF Railway)
New Jalpaiguri,
West Bengal, India-734007
Assistant Traffic Manager/DHR: +91 900 20 41401
DHR Control : +91 354 2005734, +91 9434353769
Sh. Rajiv Gupta,
Additional GM (Tourism)/IRCTC/New Delhi
Ph. no. (011) 23701145, 23701101
Fax no. (011) 23701185, 23701177
Mob. 09717640472
e-mail: hillcharter@irctc.com
Complaints & Suggestions:
If you have any complaint or suggestion related to Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, please contact:
Sh. Jayant Singh,
Director (Tourism & Catering), Railway Board,
Rail Bhawan, Raiseena Road, New Delhi � 110001
Ph. No. 011-23384922
Fax no. 011-23383000
Email: dctg@rb.railnet.gov.in
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