There are many Toy Trains are running in India for the public to have some good time around the mountain areas. These small trains run on the mountain railway lines which was built early by the British people in the 19th century and early 20th century. These toy trains were built with the aim to access the hill settlements. Although this train travel will take so much time to reach the destination, the scenery around the mountain will blow your mind, and two eyes is not enough to enjoy the scenic beauty.

History of Toy trains

Here we bring a brief history of the Toy trains, so continue your reading to know what the past history for the Toy train is.

1879 – Construction for the toy train was started by Darjeeling steam Tramway Company which will help people to travel from the Siliguri to Darjeeling through the existing Hill Cart road.

1880 – Eight steam locomotives reached the country from Manchester, England. The Viceroy of India visits the line and opened the route for the public to travel from Siligurito Kurseong.

1881 – On 3rd July 1881, the lines are opened to Darjeeling. It is 51 miles long.

1882 – Four loops along with the four zig-zagsare built between Sukuna and Gayabari to facilitate the gradient.

1891 – The Darjeeling station is rebuilt to enlarge the size of the place.

1896 – Kurseong gets a new station, and storage sheds.

1914-15 – Because of the continuous growth in the business, the headquarters moved from Darjeeling to Kurseong.

1915 – New branch is built at the Teesta Valley line, and it is opened for the travel from Siliguri to Kalimpong road.

1930 – Despite the increased competition from cars and private buses, the railway system takes around 258,000 public and 80,000 tons of goods continuously.

Why the train is called the toy train?

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which is known to be the actual part of the Northeast Frontier Railway of the Indian Railways runs on the narrow gauge. This is running on the narrow gauge to negotiate the mountainous terrain. Therefore, the engine available inside the train is small in size, and coaches available are also very small, so the train is called the Toy Train. This toy train available for the passengers and goods travel is a part of regular train service, and it links the Darjeeling with Siliguri. Also, it links Kolkata via the Darjeeling Mail.

Scenic Mountain Railway Toy Trains in India

1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

In the Indian Mountain terrains, Darjeeling Himalayan railway was the first ever railway system, and thus the name were given to this historical railway. The demand was increasing day by day back in the 1880’s for the communication and travel in the hills, so this amazing travel option provided the wonderful opportunity for people to do the transportation and tourism within the mountains.

Destinations Covered

When people choose this railway system for travel, the journey will start from Jalpaiguri in the state of West Bengal, and go through Ghoom and Kurseong, and finally reaches the Darjeeling.

Departure Time

The train leaves the NJP station around 8.30 A.M mornings time, and reaches Darjeeling at 3.35 P.M evening time.

Route Details

• Darjeeling to NJP – Rs 1555 (A.C)
• Darjeeling to Ghoom – Rs 410 (First Class)
• Darjeeling to Kurseong- Rs 680(First Class)

Also Read: Iconic route map of the train

Best time to visit

March to May

2. Nilgiri Mountain Railways

The Nilgiri Mountain Railways plan was implemented before doing the planning for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways. But unfortunately, due to the wild force of nature, and other ecological problems, the started work couldn’t get completed on time, so the Nilgiri Mountain Railways system become the second constructed mountain railways in India.

Destinations Covered

When the public chooses this travel, they can enjoy the destinations from Mettupalayam to Ooty via Coonoor.

Departure Time

7 A.M from Mettupalayam to Ooty
2 P.M Ooty to Mettupalayam

Route Details

• Mettupalayam to Ooty– Rs 205 ( First Class)
• Mettupalayam to Ooty – Rs 30 (Second Class)
• Mettupalayam to Ooty -Rs 15 ( Unreserved)

Best Time to Visit

April to June

Check out the price of the train

3. Kalka Shimla Toy Trains

This travel around 96 km in total in the mountain areas which will give every passenger enough time to enjoy the scenic beauty around the mountain region. In between the travel, passengers can see 20 different stations with various tunnels in between.

Destinations Covered

Dharampur, Kandaghat, Solan, Barog, summer hill, Taradevi, and Shimla.

Departure Time

• Shimla to Kalka – 10.25 A.M morning time
• Kalka to Shimla – Early morning 5.10 A.M

Find here the complete departure dates of the train

Route Details

Kalka to Shimla – Rs 305 (First Class)

Best Time to Visit

December to February

This information helped you to know about the history of the Toy trains, and availability of the existing trains in India. What are you waiting for now? Book you train tickets now, start the journey and have good time with your loved ones or family people or neighbors or friends like never before. Happy journey!

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