Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Batasia Loop

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the Toy Train, is a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge line of 2 feet gauge that climbs from the plains to Darjeeling in West Bengal, India. The tourist 'joy ride' runs from Darjeeling Railway Station on Hill Cart Road to Ghum, with a stop at the Batasia Loop, a spiral track where the line curves around a hillside garden and a war memorial. A small steam locomotive pulls the carriages, and the ride covers about 7 to 8 kilometres in roughly two to three hours including stops, with views over the town and, on clear days, Kangchenjunga. At Batasia Loop, passengers get off for about ten minutes to photograph the train circling the loop and the mountains behind it. At Ghum, the highest railway station in India at about 2,258 metres, the Ghum Railway Museum displays old locomotives, tickets and railway equipment, and the train waits before returning. Joy rides depart from about 8:45 AM until mid-afternoon, with the exact number of services varying seasonally. Seats are limited and tickets are booked at the station or through the Indian Railways reservation system, with fares around INR 1,000 for Indians and about INR 1,500 for foreign visitors, at the time of this listing and approximate. Early morning departures offer the clearest mountain views. Peak periods such as spring, autumn and school holidays sell out quickly, so booking ahead is advisable. Services can be cancelled by landslides or heavy monsoon rain. Families, railway enthusiasts and photographers make up most of the riders. Walking up from the town to Batasia Loop is possible, but the steam ride is the main attraction.