International Railroad Discussion > Darjeeling Railway Questions

Has anyone on TO done the Darjeeling and Himalaya Railway?  I'm contemplating joining a group photo charter in November. A total of 6 full days of steam on the line using authentic equipment and a diesel hauled support train. Any insight, advice, or red flags both railway related and otherwise such as related to hotels and transport would be much appreciated. Either reply to this message or alternatively send me a PM.  Thanks!

I have not been on that line since 1995 so I don't know what changes have taken place, but if you are a video shooter and the train still runs through of Kurseong on its way to Darjeeling be sure to film from your coach as the train leaves the station and runs down the street through the market. The shop doors and the the wares are almost on top of the tracks!

Also, Bring sufficient memory cards. In India there is literally a picture op every minute!

See: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/DarjeelingTrainFruitshopCrop.JPG&imgrefurl=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darjeeling_Himalayan_Railway&h=1859&w=2106&tbnid=VADDDcubybaUIM:&tbnh=160&tbnw=181&docid=r1TIsXnLvaGijM&itg=1&usg=__eNNn0Vd-0eaTJztVSN40h21VxAo=

Pix friom my visit: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?6,3328762,3328762#msg-3328762

Cheers,
Jack

India is a fascinating place but it can be hard work.   You are rarely alone.   People will want to talk to you even if you don't want to.   The sights and smells make up for everything.

As the reult of various delays before I even got to Darjeeling I didn't get to ride the whole line.   It was so slow that, at one point, I hopped off, ran ahead, took some pictures and got back on.

There have been a number of slides in recent years.   The last I heard the whole line was open again.   India is the kind of place where paitience and flexibility is a must.

If possible, stay at the Windermere Hotel.  A true delight.  Also if you have a free day, hire a car and chase the train, assuming 
it´s steam.  Re Jack´s mention of the Kurseong vendors,  see photo in March Trains photo section.

Another thing to do is take a trip (hired car/driver) up to Tiger Hill for the sunrise.  If clear you can see Mt. Everest.  Bring a parka!  All the hotels offer such a trip if your tour doesn´t.

Regarding Tiger Hill, one can barely see the tip of Everest with a good pair of binoculars.  The primary view from Tiger Hill (6000 ft) is of the Kanchenjunga range.  Mt Kanchenjunga is the third highest peak in the Himalayas, and the most massive.  Here's the view, below.

Here's a lazy alternative to trying to view Mt. Everest from Tiger Hill:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hTVNidxg2s

If you don't have an issue with altitude sickness, a better and direct view of Everest and its neighbors, as well as the Kanchenjunga, can be seen from the 13,000-foot summit of Sandakhphu which is on the Nepal / India border.  It is on a trekker's route accessible from Darjeeling.  A photo of its view is also attached.

In addition to the Windermere, just a bit further up Observatory Hill is the Darjeeling Tourist Lodge which features some wonderful views of the city from the second-floor rooms.  It is more of a "local" experience than the somewhat "westernized" Windermere.

While you can fly directly from New Delhi or Kolkata (Calcutta) to Bagdogra / Siliguri to catch the train to Darjeeling, a train ride from Kolkata to Siliguri is an amazing one day experience in and of itself.  I stood with my camera in the vestibule for the entire trip.

The trip from Siliguri is fascinating, but somewhat messy and dirty with cinders freely flying in your face and landing on your clothing.  Don't wear your best clothes!  You are better off getting a seat in the last car.  It was still an "open air" experience just a few years back.

It sounds as if your trip up the hill to Darjeeling may include a stopover or two.  That would be good.  If you do the entire 80 KM's in a single run, it takes about 8 hours and I was quite tired by the end of the trip.  Over-all, however, it is a wonderful experience that you will long cherish.  I have had the pleasure of doing it twice.

-- Greg
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/16 04:33 by E25.

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