International Railroad Discussion > India: Darjeeling Railway

The Darjeeling Railway in India is for sure one of the most fascinating rail lines in the world. And it is still a daily working vital line. Steam is used regularly on most parts of the line. Only the daily through train runs behind Diesel. Since 1999 this roughly 60 mile long 2 feet gauge line is registered as world culture heritage.

My pics are from February 2010.

Christoph



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/10 00:12 by Chris-from-Germany.

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Wonderful shots, Chris! They tok me back to my visit there in 1994.

Cheers,
Jack

Excellent! Glad to know some things in this world never change--long may she roll!
Cheers, Kurt.

Lovely, atmospheric shots! Thank you for posting.

Focal

I was intrigued by a lady fitter. (2003 photographs at Siliguri)

James Somerville
Anchorage, AK

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Christoph: Did you go as part of a group? I am looking for a photography-oriented group to travel with to Darjeeling at some point in the next year or two, if anyone has suggestions. Should I try the DHRS?

Thank you,

-mike

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

I've been on two DHRS trips. In the past they have chartered a train and have a van chasing. And allowed swapping from train to van as you wish.

I gent who runs the tours is "Fuzz" Jordan. I would check the DHRS web site.

James Somerville
Anchorage, AK

Harlock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Christoph: Did you go as part of a group? I am
> looking for a photography-oriented group to travel
> with to Darjeeling at some point in the next year
> or two, if anyone has suggestions. Should I try
> the DHRS?
>
> Thank you,
>
> -mike


Hi Mike,

yes I joined a DHRS trip. They are very experienced. But the steam trains do not stop for photos. So you need to take the parallel photo bus. As these are usually to slow to cover the good spots my friend and I rented a private taxi (important :4WD) for 2 days and chased the special and the regular trains.

Chris

Chris-from-Germany Wrote:
> Hi Mike,
>
> yes I joined a DHRS trip. They are very
> experienced. But the steam trains do not stop for
> photos. So you need to take the parallel photo
> bus. As these are usually to slow to cover the
> good spots my friend and I rented a private taxi
> (important :4WD) for 2 days and chased the special
> and the regular trains.
>
> Chris

That's good advice. Do you have contact info or a recommendation on a taxi service?

One thing I want to do is ride the line, for the experience. Then I want to chase it, for the photos.

A debate on how to go about all this - I could just go on my own Theroux style, but I would need a local guide, I don't know where anything is. (if the taxi driver were an honest guide it would be splendid, heh.) or I could go with a DHRS tour, if they'll sell me a package without airfare, I'm coming from the USA and I have enough airline miles for a free round trip ticket.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

Mike: just ask "Fuzz" Jordan from DRHS. He can help you with everything. And just give him my best regards ;-)

Here is his webpage:http://www.darjeelingtours.co.uk/

Chris

Its pretty obvious this crappy railroad has little concern for the safety of their employees. No one is wearing safety glasses or steel toe boots. heck that lady is wearing sandles. what a joke! thanks for sharing, though.

whoa! concrete ties and CTC for 2 foot gauge?