The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), also known as the DHR or the Toy Train, is a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge railway that runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. Built between 1879 and 1881, it is about 88 km (55 mi) long. It climbs from about 100 m (328 ft) above sea level at New Jalpaiguri to about 2,200 m (7,218 ft) at Darjeeling, using six zig-zags and five loops to gain altitude
1878 A hill tramway of two-feet gauge was proposed by Franklin Prestage
Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Co were hired to construct the line
1879 Construction commeneced and completed in 1881
The first eight engines were 0-4-0 T types from Sharp, Stewart and Co but were unsuitable for the line.
1910 Single line from Darjeeling to Silguri and is 51 miles in length. Officers: G. B. Cresswell, General Manager and Chief Engineer; C. N. Barnard, Resident Engineer; S. G. Reilly, Assistant Resident Engineer; J. W. Savi, Traffic Superintendent; H. F. Ward, Locomotive Superintendent.[1]
1912 Accident. 'an enquiry was held at Tindharis on the Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway on the subject of the derailment of the trolley piloted by Mr. Savi, on the 27th of October. The following officers were present:— Mr. G. B. Cresswell, General Manager; Mr. C. N. Barnard, Resident Engineer ; Mr. H. F. Ward, Locomotive Superintendent; Mr. K. B. Mackenzie, Assistant Traffic Superintendent ; Mr. E. H. Corbett, District Superintendent of Police. Darjeeling; and Mr. F. W. Robertson, Sub-divisional Magistrate of Kurseong. Mr. J. W. Savi is still at Siliguri from which place it has not been possible to move him yet, although there is a great improvement in condition.'[2]
1918 Officers: R. B. Addis, General Manager; C. C. Royston, Resident Engineer; R. R. Kirby, Locomotive and Stores Superintendent.[3]