Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway: Difference between revisions

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*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTJznwW5aIY Indian Hill Railways - The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway] youtube.com. One hour BBC documentary film.  
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTJznwW5aIY Indian Hill Railways - The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway] youtube.com. One hour BBC documentary film.  
*The DVD ''The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway'', Rick Melling Director,  is available through Amazon.co.uk from the  [http://astore.amazon.co.uk/faminbriindso-21/detail/B00006FI3P FIBIS  Shop]  This DVD is all regions
*The DVD ''The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway'',  Graham Whistler Studio, is available through Amazon.co.uk from the  [http://astore.amazon.co.uk/faminbriindso-21/detail/B001MTMNI0 FIBIS Shop] This DVD is for Region 2 and may not be viewable outside Europe.


===Historical books online===
===Historical books online===

Revision as of 21:13, 10 July 2014

Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway

1942 map
Line of route
Siliguri to Darjeeling
Siliguri to Kalimpong Road
Siliguri to Kishanganj
Gauge / mileage
2' 0" NG 51 miles (1905)
147 miles (1943)
Timeline
1879 Company formed
1880 First section opened to traffic
1881 Line opened through to Darjeeling
1913 Extension to Kishanganj planned
1948 Nationalisation
Key locations
Presidency Bengal
Stations Siliguri, Sukna, Rangtong, Chunbatti, Tindharia, Gayabari, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Dilaran, Sonada, Rangbul, Jor Bungalow, Ghum, Darjeeling
Kalimpong Road, Kishanganj
System agency
1880 Own agency
1952 North Eastern Railway (IR zone)
1958 Northeast Frontier Railway (IR zone)
How to interpret this infobox

The Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway (DHR), a 2' 0" narrow gauge line dating from 1879 and still powered by steam, is today a major tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage site.

History

Built between 1879 and 1881, the original line ran (and still does) for 51 miles from Siliguri (about 100m in altitude) to Darjeeling (about 2200m).

In 1913, the system was extended from Siliguri south-westwards to Kishanganj. There was also a short branch from Siliguri to Kalimpong Road. Technically, these extensions were a separate company, worked by the agency of the first.

As an assisted railway, the DHR fell into the control of Indian Railways (IR) after independence. Between 1948 and 1950, the Kishanganj branch was converted to metre gauge and transferred, as part of the Assam Rail Link, to the Assam Railway. In 1952, the DHR became part of North Eastern Railway but in 1958 it was transferred to the newly formed Northeast Frontier Railway, an IR zone.


External links

Historical books online


Gallery