THE LATEST NEWS ON THE DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY
Last updated on 25.02.00
One B class loco has been for a ? boiler overhaul (done by Golden Rock workshops) South India and returned to the line. Introduction of diesels will no doubt ease the pressure on the steam locos so that more can be overhauled as above. I am delighted to report that repairs and overhauls will be done in India rather than in some foreign country. "Baby Sivok" an Orenstein & Koppel 0-4-0ST loco, which was out of use since 1954 and plinthed at Siliguri station has been returned to working order and seen in light steam earlier this month. There are big celebrations planned by Indian Railways and Board of Tourism for May 2000 and plenty of steam action is envisaged.
UNESCO HAS APPROVED the application by the Indian Railways to declare this railway as a WORLD HERITAGE SITE and for funding to restore the line. Plans are being made to build a mini railway museum in Darjeeling to house narrow gauge relics of the DHR and other hill railways. The C class DHR pacifics which were in use till 1969 should be kept there if they still survive.
The full length of the railway from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling is now operational from April 99. New earthworks are in place and the track is in first class condition. At least one train goes daily from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. The School Train (0640) from Kurseong also runs to Darjeeling.
In the summer season, tourist specials operate from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back. The locomotive no 780 does this job and is turned the opposite way (From Darjeeling to Ghoom chimney first).
Steam engines will probably remain the motive power of choice because of the unique operating conditions of the railway and also to generate maximum interest among tourists. However narrow gauge steam locos are hard to find these days. Anyone selling a working 2 feet gauge 0-4-0 with a wheelbase of 5 feet let me know! The B class locos will be repaired to a high standard.
The coaches have been repainted in blue in after the short lived experiment with yellow and orange livery like the Rajdhani Express. It does show that the line is getting attention from Indian Railways and this website has some effect!
Indian railways have now realised the selling point of steam locos in active service. Read the article on the :Millenium Express
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