The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Lore & Background

Construction began that year, with Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Company hired to build the line. The company was later renamed the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Company. During World War II, it transported military personnel and supplies.

Reader's Guide

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is significant as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a historic mountain railway that connected the plains of Siliguri with the hill station of Darjeeling. Its construction overcame steep terrain through innovative engineering, including loops and zig-zags, and it remains a working railway using both steam and diesel locomotives. The railway played a vital role in transporting goods and passengers, and during World War II, it moved military personnel and supplies. It faced natural disasters and political unrest but continued to operate. Today, it runs daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghum, India's highest railway station, and steam-hauled specials. The railway is owned by the Indian government and managed by the Northeast Frontier Railway. Its legacy includes preserving vintage British-built B-Class steam locomotives and adapting to modern challenges, such as the introduction of vistadome coaches after the COVID-19 pandemic. The DHR remains a key example of 19th-century mountain railway engineering and a cultural landmark in India.

Did You Know?

• The DHR uses six zig zags and three loops (originally five) to gain altitude.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

Some people mistakenly believe the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was built by a company that always used its current name. In fact, construction was begun by Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Company, which was only later renamed the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Company. Another common error is assuming the railway uses only loops to gain altitude; it actually employs six zig zags and three loops (originally five).

Why It Matters (Editorial)

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway endures as a marvel of engineering and a living link to colonial-era transport, climbing steep Himalayan terrain through innovative zig zags and loops. Its role in World War II—moving military personnel and supplies—reminds us that even scenic railways can serve critical historical purposes beyond tourism.