Darjeeling Toy Train.

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Darjeeling is a fascinating hill station. And more fascinating is travel to Darjeeling in a toy train. Elevation level starts from 100 meters at Siliguri to 2200 meters at Darjeeling. On the way, you pass through dense forests, steep curves of valleys and suddenly you get glimpses of the Great Himalayas range. Snow on the mountain sparkle so white that sometimes it becomes difficult to keep gazing the mountain tops. I am attaching a photograph which I had snapped in 1966. I had last visited Darjeeling in 1966 while in College with one of my friends, on a Royal Enfield (Bullet) motorcycle. The ride was almost 500 kilometers one way. I was really enchanted to see the beauty of Darjeeling, tree gardens all around and most importantly the Toy Train. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is nicknamed as Toy Train which runs on narrow gauge of two feet and travels from Siliguri to Darjeeling covering a distance of 86 kilometers. Construction had started in 1879 and route was opened for Darjeeling on 4th July 1881. UNESCO declared the train as World Heritage in 1999. If you come to India, you should definitely visit Darjeeling and enjoy the natural beauty. The train track is now extended to New Jailpaiguri.