Arbitrage – it’s funded careers, it’s grown businesses, and
sometimes it can just about create an engineering marvel. The Darjeeling Himalayan railway was born out
of the difference of potato prices between Siliguri and Darjeeling. Not only is
the DHR an astounding feat of engineering, but well, the views aren’t too bad
either, as it skirts the hills of North Bengal with the Kanchendzonga massif in
the background. I had briefly seen the train in action during a visit to
Darjeeling in 2010. But now, I was riding the ‘express’ with my parents.
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| Along Batasia loop (2010) |
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| Up Hill cart road |
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| Adding fuel to the fire |
The train originally ran from New Jalpaiguri to Ghoom, but
the route has been closed following a landslide. So I booked a more ‘touristy’
trip – one from Darjeeling to Ghoom (the highest station in India) and back.
But touristy as it might sound, it was quite the novel experience as I was
about to find out.
The Train runs along the hill cart road with regular traffic
moving in parallel and a lot faster – yes, this is more of a slow coach in 2014
as it charges along at the speed of yesteryear with intermittent halts to cool
off as the engine negotiates the curves and inclines of the hill town. However,
speed doesn’t define the steam engine experience – sticking your head/or hands
out of the window does as you get covered in soot – I didn’t say it was a clean
experience. Luckily for me, the soot didn’t make me scary enough to ward off
the friendly locals who often stop to wave you on – even if you aren’t a potato
farmer. Who cares about the burning coal a few meters away, that's heart-warming
enough I say!
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| The memorial at Batasia loop with Kanchendzonga in the background |
TIPS:
- Dont forget to visit the railway museum in Ghoom.
- While the train stops at Batasia loop, you might want to go there separately in the early morning for good view of Kanchendzonga
- Book early especially during tourist season – seats are few.
