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The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the DHR or the Toy Train, is a 2 ft gauge railway that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. Built between 1879 and 1881, it is about 88 km long. It climbs from about 100 m above sea level at New Jalpaiguri to about 2,200 m at Darjeeling, using six zig zags and five loops to gain altitude. Six diesel locomotives handle most of the scheduled service, with daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghum – India's highest railway station – and the steam-hauled Red Panda service from Darjeeling to Kurseong.
The line follows Hill Cart Road, which is part of National Highway 110. The track is on the roadside for long stretches, and both track and road might be blocked by a rockslide. Since a length of the road is flanked with buildings, the railway line often resembles urban tramway tracks. To warn pedestrians and drivers of an approaching train, engines are equipped with very loud horns and whistles which train drivers sound almost constantly. (Wikipedia)
We encountered this train as we were coming into Darjeeling. In some cases, it seemed to almost touch the front steps of the homes that it passed. The tracks criss-crossed the road with no signs or lights, so drivers and pedestrians have to watch out and listen to the train.
On 5 December 1999, UNESCO declared the DHR a World Heritage Site.
Women bringing back their cattle home before the storm lands....taken in Gadiara in Rural Bengal, India
Trekking high through the dense forest of Dhupi trees....on the top of mountain lies a beautiful lake....taken in Lamahata, Darjeeling Himalayas, India