Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway,
an UNESCO declared world Heritage.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is an UNESCO declared world Heritage. The DHR is an outstanding example of the influence of an innovative transportation system on the social and economic development of multicultural region, which was to serve as a model of similar developments in many parts of the world.

The uniqueness and the vintage of this railway system, along with the charm of the steam locomotion, make the DHR Experience an object of ultimate desire for rail-lovers all over the world.

The DHR journey takes one through some of the most breath-taking scenic panoramas from the plains to lofty Himalayan snowscapes and all else in between. Over the decades, many have decreed that this is the best scenic terrain that they have encountered anywhere.

Adding to the great green experience are the numerous tea estates that one passes through or sees. Tea adds another unique dimension to the DHR Experience.

The cultural offerings of the ‘DHR Zone’ include a major attraction in Buddhist religion, philosophy and shrines – all oases of spiritual uplift and soul-soothing serenity.

This remarkable 2 ft. gauge line begins on the hot, dusty Indian plain and in the course of its 55 mile journey rises to almost 7,500 feet as it ascends to Darjeeling in the Himalayas. The journey is regarded as amongst the most amazing in the world, and many travelers see it as a gateway to a region of mystery and imagination. The landscape can only be described as spectacular and the views of the Himalayan peaks breathtaking. Travelers are awed by both the scenery and the railway, truly an engineering masterpiece and without doubt, one of the wonders of the world! It is probably the ultimate dream of every narrow-gauge railway enthusiast, at some time in their life, to visit the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Built in the late 19th century, this railway is unique in a number of ways. Rising at an average gradient of 1 in 30 the line uses loops and zig-zags to work its way up the mountainside, crossing itself and the road many times in the process. Even today we are amazed at the tenacity of the Victorian engineers! The little ‘B’ class tank engines with their extraordinarily short 0-4-0 wheelbase, haul their trains entirely by adhesion.