NFR to introduce toy trains between Darjeeling and Ghum

To enable scores of tourists to relive the memories of steam trains in the ensuing tourist season, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will introduce three additional pairs of toy trains between Darjeeling and Ghum in the world-famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR). With this introduction scheduled to be operational from 10th September, there will be 9 pairs of toy trains playing on the 6 km distance between Ghum and Darjeeling. It is worth mentioning that all the three new trains would be hauled by steam Locomotives which have a high heritage appeal among tourists. Of the 9 toy trains 3 will now be hauled by Diesel Locomotives and rest by six by steam powered Locomotives. NFR has recently refurbished as many as 14 narrow gauge coaches by which the seating capacity of these coaches has also been increased to as many as 28 seats from existing 12, 14 and 16-seater coaches. With each diesel locomotive hauling three coaches and steam loco hauling two, these 9 trains will haul as many as 21 coaches during the peak season catering to the large festive season rush. Preservation and conservation of this railway which has been recognized as an asset and accorded World Heritage Status by UNESCO, is a task being undertaken by NFR in right earnest. Recently, representatives of UNESCO, namely Moe Chiba, Kai Weise and Paul Atkins, who were on a visit to DHR had a meeting with General Manager of N. F. Railway Shri Chahatey Ram in the presence of Executive Director (Heritage) in the Railway Board at Maligaon. During the meeting, the General Manager assured the representatives of UNESCO that NFR would extend all possible help for conservation of the priceless heritage of DHR.