AC rakes for Toy Train to Darjeeling from April 1: NFR

Come April 1, the heritage status Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or DHR, popularly known as “Toy Train” will have two fully AC coaches on regular basis for promotion of tourism in the hills of Darjeeling, according to Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).

Two AC coaches, built at a cost of Rs. 43 lakh, will have a capacity 15 each, would run from plains of New Jalpaiguri station to Darjeeling hills, over 2,000 mts. The train would leave around 0800 hrs and reach within five hours on narrow gauge and return the same day by the evening, according to NFR chief public relations officer Pranob Jyoti Sarma.

He said, after the trial runs proved successful, the commercial run for two AC rakes would start from April 1, 2018. This means the UNESCO world heritage treasure is stopping 2nd class coaches between NJP and Darjeeling and increasing the first class travel fare to a manifold. Now, a passenger will have to pay Rs. 1,285 for the journey, instead of Rs. 120 now.

The DHR, an engineering marvel of the Victorian era, also 7 joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghoom. Sharma said there is also proposal to improve the Joy Ride on the section.