The "Toy Train" to Darjeeling
The narrow gauge railroad connecting New Jalpaiguri,
on the plains of India, to Darjeeling, at just over 2000m/7000ft,
is today just for tourists and train enthusiasts, but when it opened
in 1881 it cut the journey from 5-6 days to 8 hours. The train does
chug along rather slowly -- the eight hour journey is only
80km/50 miles long.
Today affectionately known as the "toy train," in its day it was regarded
as an engineering marvel with its "Z" switchbacks and loops. Serious
use of the train ended shortly after World War II, when a paved road to
Darjeeling was completed. The railroad has been designated a UNESCO
World Heritage site.
Photo taken: April 21, 2003
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