Darjeeling Toy Train, Old Stereo Photo 1908

Darjeeling Toy Train, Old Stereo Photo 1908

This is a stereo photo from 1908 that shows an early Darjeeling Toy Train. The Little Himalayan Railway Train or the toy train halts possibly for this photo session. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) that runs the toy train is well known. It and along with the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) and Kalka-Simla Railway (KSR), are on the UNESCO heritage list.

With a 2-foot gauge and a distance of about 78 km, the line was built between 1870 and 1881. Originally called the ‘Steam Tramway’ and first proposed by Britisher Franklin Prestage, an agent of Eastern Bengal Railway Company. The line was constructed by Gillanders Arbuthnot & Co. The stretch between Siliguri and Kurseong opened on 23 Aug. 1880.

While the official opening of the line up to Darjeeling was on 4 July 1881. The passenger encounters forests, ravines, and curves. Soon the first of the loops is passed (for easing the gradient). Continuing the journey upwards, fine views of the Himalayas are visible. The Darjeeling Toy Train also passes a ‘Z’ reversing station while on its way to its destination. Click on the photo for better view.

See also DHR Museums.

Did you know- DHR in its early years carried cargos of tea that was precious to the British. The tea from around the foothills was loaded into freight compartments of the train, freighted to Calcutta port, and thence shipped to England. 

From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#15)., Madras Harbour From The Lighthouse – Old Photogravure., Port Trust Offices Bombay – Old Postcard 1905., Colaba Point Lighthouse In Mumbai – Old Print 1868.

The images are of the actual items from my collection. And Not a photocopy, pirated, reproduced, stock photos, or taken from other sources.