Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway
| 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 2ft/610mm narrow gauge(NG) 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. [1]
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.
Records
Refer to FIBIS Fact File #4: “Research sources for Indian Railways, 1845-1947” - available from the Fibis shop. This Fact File contains invaluable advice on 'Researching ancestors in the UK records of Indian Railways' with particular reference to the India Office Records (IOR) held at the British Library
An on-line search of the IOR records relating to this railway (DHR) and the DHR Extensions [2] gives 6 references. The most important being:-
- L/F/8/17/1291 “Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway Company Limited, Agreement; 1913 “
- L/F/8/20/1673 “Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Company Limited, Supplemental Agreement; 1922”
External links
- "Welcome to the DHRS" Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society.
- "Darjeeling Himalayan Railway" Wikipedia.
- "N F Railway" Wikipedia.
- "A Himilayan loop line" Mike's Railway History.
- Indian Hill Railways - The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway youtube.com. One hour BBC documentary film.
Historical books online
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: Illustrated Guide for Tourists 1896 Archive.org
- Darjeeling & its Mountain Railway: A Guide and Souvenir published by the Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway Co. Ld. 1921 vsdh.org
Gallery
-
View of the double loop -
Darjeeling Railway. Reversing Station
