Toy train continues to attract tourists to Darjeeling

A ride on Darjeeling Himalayan Railways toy train is a major tourist attraction for those visiting the hill station.

The Darjeeling toy train was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999, making it the second railway to have been bestowed with this honour.

The railway, which opened in 1881, is a tourist magnet for a leisurely ride on narrow gauge tracks, offering splendid views of cloud-capped hillsides and people going about their daily routines.

"The toy train is a major attraction point and it is very easy to book tickets online. However, more information should be provided because many people don't know that it is a national heritage," a passenger, Dr. Madhvi Joshi, said.

"It is a very old train and the experience has been great. We feel privileged as it is a world heritage. We are fortunate we got the tickets and we are travelling in it," said another tourist, Dr. Sham.

Perched at an altitude of 2,134 metres above sea level, Darjeeling is said to have derived its name from Dorje-ling, which means 'land of the mystic thunderbolt'.