The MIND-BLOWING Darjeeling Himalayan Railway!!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ค. 2023
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#india #westbengal #darjeeling #dhr #toytrain #himalayas
Hello and welcome back to India!
Today's video is one I've been looking forward to for the longest time! We'll be up in the Himalaya Mountains taking a ride on the 'Toy Train' from Darjeeling down to Siliguri. This mesmerising trip will have you in wonder at every stage, from the lack of signal and level crossings, to the stunning scenery. So please sit back and enjoy the video!
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In 1986 my wife and I rode our bikes from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling during a cycling and trekking trip to India and Nepal: We could easily outpace the train on the uphill sections, especially when the steam loco would stop for water at various streams en route. We would pass the train, then stop and wait for it to pass us, then repeat all the way to Ghoom. On the way back from Darjeeling we took the train with our bikes to Ghoom, then rode a precipitously steep road down to a border crossing into the Terai where we caused major confusion among the Nepali border guards who had never seen a couple of Westerners on bikes ever before. Fun times!
Wow that's sounds like a great experience!!
Your lungs must be good to cycle at that height. I visited my boss in Colorado (height 7000 ft). His wife is a keen cyclist and she knew that I cycle so she asked me to come for a ride. I mounted my boss's heavy American cruiser bicycle and she hopped on to her lightweight racing bike. Every time I tried to catch up with her, my vision went monochrome.
Hahaha fun is always better than war.
1986 - that's when I started my College in Darjeeling! 1986-1989.
👍
ㅣ0@@NonstopEurotrip
Ever since watching Indian Mountain Railways on BBC4, this type of journey has been on the bucket list.. Fabulous! Jealous buddy..
Welcomeee
Try the new rolling stock at Kalka it’s perfect
Thanks Mark! I was such an amazing experience 😍
Please visit
Well they are replacing these trains with hydrogen powered trains
The speeds are so slow that it is more like a tram, when it passes through urban areas, making it relatively safe in the streets and around cars. This looks like a truly fascinating trip. Respect to all the workers, who maintain this railway in operating condition despite limited resources, extreme terrain and weather conditions.
Yes, exactly ✌🏻
I remember watching the series on bbc about the Himalayan railways and how the staff work tirelessly keeping the locos working and the line clear, this is one of the few Indian railways I’d like to visit, great post, ps I hope you brought some tea back with you 😇
Without doubts, it's necessary a lot of efforts to keep well this kind of infrastructure and trains.
BTW, do you remember the title of the BBC documentary?
Of course I brought some tea back! I remember seeing a documentary on it too a while back 🔙
@@PointOfTrips I imagine he was thinking of 'Indian Hill Railways'. It was available as a DVD, but don't know if it still is.
@@ChrisH-1952 Thank you so much!
I think the phrase "mind blowing" is absolutely accurate! What a great ride!! The food market at the end was a great plus, and the Indian people are some of the most friendly people ever!
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏻
Thank you 🎉
That might be the slowest train you have ever reviewed but it is certainly one of the most amazing.
Isn't it just! ❤️
What a great video. I loved the organised chaos along the urban darjeeling section. Those switchbacks are similar to railways found in the Andes of South America where altitude is gained in a short distance.The line from Guayaquil to Quito in Ecuador, is a prime example. I look forward to you featuring Andean railways in future videos.
I travelled the railway between Arica in Chile to La Paz in Bolivia over 30 years ago. That was quite a memorable experience. The train was a single car railbus sourced from the branch lines of Munich in the 1930s. You travel from sea level to 12000 ft reaching the Altiplano and feeling the effects of altitude as you go. . Just before we rolled into La Paz at nearly midnight, the train derailed and I thought it was game over, but people appeared out of nowhere, and managed to rerail the train using stones!!! I was amazed at their resourcefulness! The train also had a tiny galley on board and we were served several hot meals as a result. Unfortunately I lost my camera, at the time, but still have fabulous memories.
Amazing experience, I plan to try some south American railways soon!
I enjoyed the misty conditions at the start of the journey, as it really added to the atmosphere of the video. We never see those
misty surroundings here in Queensland, Australia where we live. And the way the scenery changed dramatically when the train
reached the plateau and took us through the cultivations and villages was absolutely beautiful. thanks so very much indeed.
Glad you enjoyed it 😊
All Indians enjoy mist an colder weather, because they had too much sun and heat the whole year round.
What a fantastic journey and bucket list trip.
It really was John, just a shame the weather wasn't better!
Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge railway is another fascinating/scenic railway journey in India.
Btw, I enjoyed a lot your trip coverage! Love it!
Thanks a ton, I plan to try that next time!
@@NonstopEurotrip Btw Kalka-Shimla railway is also an UNESCO world heritage site! 😊
@@NonstopEurotripYou can take the Kalka Shimla train during January end or February when it snows. It looks even more spectacular then
@@kanchanananayakkara8959 Those bloody British, what were they doing building narrow-gauge UNESCO heritage sites, eh? Ditto for VT/CST!
The ride and the scenery are great but the train looks old and out of date. LOL
On a clear day, the views on this journey is absolutely breathtaking
Absolutely!!
You should visit the Ooty Ooty railway. It has a rack and pinion arrangement to scale the gradients.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Loved to watch this and nice narration. There are 6 switchbacks in DHR, 3 below Tindharia and the rest 3 above Tindharia. I grew up in Tindharia, and my father served DHR as Junior Engineer for as long as 19 years. I grew up listening to the steam engines, sirens from TIndharia workshops, and many more. Though I live in a metro city now, but my heart always stays there in the Hills.
3 sets of two, indeed. Thanks for watching!
Buon viaggio ! Un cordiale saluto da Luciano il perugino (Italia) 😀🍀🍀🍀
What a great trip. Even though the weather is overcast at Darjeeling, but this make your trip feels outstanding. The switchback action and that paperwork changing is very rare and interesting to see.
Totally agree!
Lovely video with a thoughtful commentary. We travelled in the opposite direction in 2015 just before I retired. We were fortunate that the old steam locos were still running. Darjeeling is a great place to visit surrounded by tea plantations. There is a view point above the town where you can see, on a clear day, Kanchenjunga( I think one of the locos in the video was named after it), the second highest mountain and if really lucky Everest. Keep filming in India, it’s a magical place.
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, that is on the first end of the Mall Road, where it loops back, I think above the Tibetan Refugee Camp
That brings back some memories. Thanks. Travelled on this train back in the 80s with my wife.
Very cool!
Pity about the weather, but amazing indeed.
Absolutely, I'll have to do it again when sunny! 😃
I LOVE this. Who knew this even existed and you enjoying it so is half the fun! Thanks so much!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is on my bucket list. This is the first time I watched a video documenting the journey from Darjeeling to the low lands. Most videos started from Siliguri.
Same for me! 😁😁😁
I am so jealous of you, I really wanna ride that railway some day when I am in India
You can 😃✌🏻
Thank you!!! Incredible India!!!
Absolutely! Thanks so much for the tip ✌🏻✌🏻
@@NonstopEurotrip There is one in Kalka-Shimla route in North India & one in the Nilgiris (Nilgiri Mountain Railway) in South India as well. Try them as well, if possible. Europe 🤝India
I never realised until today that Siliguri actually has 2M+ population.
Well, that city is truly important geographically.
its population is only 700k as per 2011 census.
No better way to wake up than with the Nonstop Eurotrip music
You know it brother 😉
Hello ! J'ai apprécié ce beau voyage. Dommage que le beau temps n'était pas au rendez-vous. Encore merci.
Merci beaucoup 🙏🏻😊
Wonderful journey and really interesting, informative and well put together review! Thank you for this and pushing it higher on my bucket list now too! 😊
Glad you enjoyed it!
Incredible! Thanks for this video.
Our pleasure!
Thanks for a superb video! I have never travelled on the DHR, but I have travelled on the two other railways which have been designated by UNESCO as 'World Heritage Sites'. Both lines are in the Alps, both are electrified and both have frequent passenger services. The Albula-Bernina line in Switzerland is narrow guage and goes round in a spiral five times. As well as hourly local trains there are the luxury Bernina Expresses. The Semmering Line in Austria is a double-track standard guage main line of European importance for both freight and passengers. It is part of the Austrian Sudbahn, which links Vienna with southern Austria (Graz and Klagenfurt) and northern Italy (especially Venice and the port of Trieste). The contrast with the DHR is very stark!
Similar settings, but such a different experience!
amazing ! loved this video ! Thank you !
You are so welcome!
Excellent; thanks again
Hi, Although I live in London now I am from Kolkata, biggest city in Eastern India. You rekindled my childhood memories when I used to go to Darjeeling along with Mom and Dad in summer holidays. We used to get free tickets as my Dad was an officer in Indian Railways. Loved your vlog and thanks for coming to Darjeeling. It is a UNESCO heritage site now .Will request to explore similar narrow gauge which we call ‘toy trains’ in India like Kalka-Shimla and Ooty-Mettupalayam Railways too.
I plan to do more soon, thanks for watching! 🙏🏻
What a delightful trip! Great video, too.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really excellent travelogue. Your delight comes through very well and despite the poor weather, I can see why you enjoyed it so much. Nice to catch a glimpse of your travellng companion who will have appreciated it as much as you, I'm sure. These experiences are better when shared with another like-minded person. Another gem for the channel. 😃
Glad you enjoyed it my friend 😁
Without doubt, one of the very best train trips I have ever seen. Well done & thanks very much 👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it 😁
What timing! I hope to do this in October so this was a brilliant taster. Thanks a lot.0
Have fun, it's truly excellent 👌🏻
素晴らしい!
😍😍😍
What a quality content! totally worth time 👍
Glad you think so!
harika yermiş
A superbly made video capturing the atmosphere beautifully.
Many thanks!
Bardzo ciekawa podróż tą koleją , super.
Thanks 😊👍🏻
Couldn't help but notice the elevated electrical supply lines as the train leaves Darjeeling. Amazing!
Yes indeed!
this puts a smile on the face. whimsical!
👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
India is electrifying it's entire rail system with the exception of these tourist lines. A decent modernization - improving security, comfort and speed, but keeping the atmosphere - would be great. A car with a restaurant section or tables at every place or a restaurant stop at lunch time would be perfect.
Wishful thinking probably 🙃
@@NonstopEurotriputs not wishful thinking railways had already electrified 90 percent of its entire fleet just check other cities trains as well. I think you and your viewers are still living in the 80's.
@@ayushgaurincredible I meant the restaurant stop. I'm aware of the excellent electrification of IR
Wow travelling on a train at 7200 feet is some what breathtaking and such a experience. Lovely scenery to see as well. Very beautiful.
Many thanks Andrew! 🙏🏻
Absolute fantastic rail therapy
😍😍😍
For all their fault, Brtishers did great engineering here. And I am glad we Indians maintained it quite well after all these years.
Absolutely 💯
‘Maintained quite well’. I can only imagine the glory days what it must have been like because it looks like a filthy dirty mess these days.
Amazing...best of
Thanks a lot 😊
Fabulous trip, one for my list. As you love switchbacks, you should try the trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu in Peru (add on the bit from Puno to Cusco too) it has a series of them and I agree they are fascinating. Standard gauge too, even more exciting!
Thanks for the tip Elaine, it's definitely on my radar!! 😁
The best running commentary on DHR till now.
Thanks so much 🙏
Wonderful 🎉....thanks 4 sharing this clip
Thanks for visiting 😊
Brought back tons of memories as I went to school in Kurseong - Goethals Memorial School- the only school in India with its own railway siding! Travelled on the Toy Train many times, the coal-n-steam version. In fact, each December, when school closed for the winter holidays, a whole train would be booked to get almost 300 of us down from Kurseong to Siliguri, or later, New Jaloaiguri! Good times indeed 🛤️
Very interesting 😎
Thing i liked about your video is that info along trip was so good. Glad to meet another rail-fan
Awesome, thank you! 😀
Good pictures and excellent narrative. Thanks. Rmb
Many thanks!
I enjoyed your commentary through the journey. I am delighted that you are so fond of DHR, I wish you a pleasant time while you travel across India. You are an honoured visitor in my country. Have fun and enjoy India.
Thank you so much! 👋🏻
Super coverage!!! One of the few videos that shows every setbacks present. Well, for the next time do try "Kalka-Shimla Railway". Its been upgraded to modern amenities. Plans are underway to upgrade the DHR line too.
Sure 😊
This is a truly unique train journey!
Absolutely!
Darjeeling Queen of Hills !
Absolutely 😁💯
I rode this train 29/2/2000 up and 1/3/2000 down when it was still a 100 % steamrailway especially going up to Darjeeling was spectaculair it was a dream come true for a railway buff like me..
I'd love to do the full route with steam 🙂
WOW,,,that was quite the journey......I like how the train just slowly goes thru people's back yards...Is this mainly just a tourist train or do regular people use it to traverse to work??? thanks, nice switch backs... 👍👍🚂🚂
It's both, but a lot of tourists use it!! ,😀
@@NonstopEurotrip very good...thanks
Fantastic❤
Thanks 🤗
I loved it...fascinating train ride
Thank you very much!
Great video! My parents used to travel on this line in the nineteen twenties when they lived in India. I was lucky enough to ride in the "Train to the Clouds" in northern Argentina before they cut out the , more interesting, lower part of the trip. The cork-screws and switchbacks abound and a lot of the switchbacks have tunnels at each end due to the terrain. I think that it is a lot higher than the Dargeeling train at 4300 meters. Also due to the height it is mostly desert so you get a good view of where you have been, Thanks again for a fine movie.
Thanks for sharing! I hope to get to Argentina soon
My dream train trip.
amazing cool
It's just 100 km from my home town not only Darjeeling even Mirik ,Sukhiapokhri,kurseoung,Kalimpong this are all emotions for North Bengal people as the Summer season approaching we will take a ride to this mountains.
Thanks for this interesting and beautiful trip.
Glad you enjoyed it 😄
In Switzerland we also have narrow-gauge railways that wind their way up the mountains. Thank you for the interesting report. The images of landscapes and people were very revealing. Thank you for sharing.😁😁
I've been on many of them, great fun!
I want to see you traveling on the Estonian&Latvian&Lithuanian narrow gauge railways. They are not connected but used to be! 😊🎉 pls like this for him to notice!!!
Which routes?
Lovely journey. Amazing sceneries of country side.wow wow wow…
What a country..
Wishes from Sri Lanka
Thank you so much 🙂
I love the weather you experienced,
It was a ice change from the daily 35 degree heat lol
hill stations like Ooty, Darjleing, MountAbu, etc.r best to visit during spring to summer season from March to June months
Thanks for the tips!
Greetings from Singapore he DHR or fondly called the ,"toy train " the steam locomotives were built between 1879 and 1881 had a different charm to it .The train uses six zig zags (switch ) and five loops to gain altitude the construction had come to a standstill - Legend has it the project incharges wife had a dream about the switch and that's how they overcame the steep incline.
I studied in boarding school in Darjeeling in the 70's was the steam train hauling carriages -We would go on picnics hiking and hitchhike on the train and jump off at Batasia Loop or Goom to start our hikes into Senchal Forest or go further down to Tung Sonada .
Due to the rainy season you missed the fantastic views of the Himalayan landscape dotted with the famous tea plantations made famous world over with the Darjeeling Tea .In fact you cross Castleton which always has record prices for the best orthodox tea and in the plains you go past the larger plantations which has a different process of manufacturing called CTC ,type of tea which you find people drinking all over India .A bit more research on the region and would have made the video more interesting .
Good one
the story I was told was that his wife was so fed up with the amount of tine he spent on the job she said to him "you are forever coming and going " which triggered the concept of the switchback section of the track. I was in and out of Darjeeling from 1976 to 1981 with my children in boarding school.
Loved the video there are so many fascinating places to explore in the world.❤❤
We agree!
This is on my bucket list too, along with the Golden Temple at Amritsar. I'm envious. Although I have been to both Bangladesh and Pakistan, including the Himalayan foothills above Islamabad - also stunning
Thanks for sharing 😊
Great video despite the weather!
Thanks 👍
A journey from the heaven!
🕊️🕊️🕊️
this is the first video i caught of your train journeys and must say it is still one of my favourites. dig your story-telling style and pacing, the video editing and location ID-ing are brilliant and your voice is smooth and calming - do you plan to edit the others that have no voice #curious anyway thanks for the great videos and always look forward to each weekly post cheers
I've no plans to re-edit old videos as I have so many new ones to edit. Glad you're enjoying my content!
The 1957 Cinerama film, 'Search for Paradise', took a trip on this railway. Not a lot has changed!!
It included a runaway train sequence!
Great video, thanks.
Glad you liked it!
@@NonstopEurotrip It was so good you saved me a trip, or have you? 😂
@@byteme9718 you should definitely go ✌🏻
Keren transportasi nya kereta 👍
What an incredible railway … somehow I didn’t know about this, so thanks for producing this great video! 🙌
23:15 Is that @SuperalbsTravels I see there? 🤓
The two of you should do some sort of collab or a Q&A where you ask each other questions. 🧐
Thanks! And yes it was Superalbs, and stay tuned for something you might enjoy soon! 👌🏻
Amazing ❤
Thanks 😄
Love your videos as always, and this journey was wonderful even if overcast! What about the train route from Berlin/Dresden to Prague through the Elbe Gorges? They say it’s spectacular (but won’t be like the Himalayas)
Great suggestion!
Perjalanan yang menyenangkan
Really it's a marvelous journey ever seen
Thank for watching!
I did this trip as a child, from Siliguri to Darjeeling, back in 1971! An abiding memory, is adventurous young men jumping off the train, outrunning it and jumping back on, as the steam engine huffed and puffed to pull the train uphill.
Oh wow how funny 🤣
Stunning and dreamlike journey!!! WOW!!! I would love to take that! Thank you for taking us!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Just reminded me of my chidhood memories i went to darjeeling in 2009 and i took this toy train to ghum trust me best ever experience and secondly it was so much fun at batasia loop where i and my friends were just enjoying with strangers and having fun thank u for making this video and enabling me to visit those old memories
Glad you enjoyed it 😁
Thanks!
Welcome! 🙏😍
Siliguri is my hometown and I often take my scooter and go out for a ride till Sukna or Rongtong station to enjoy the nature or catch a glimpse of the toy train. Darjeeling hills are best to visit during the month of November when the skies are clear.
Thanks for sharing 😊
Great viedio sir, nice wellcome you our INDIA 👍🙏
Thanks! 😃
Thank you. I feel like im in the train
fascinating
a pleasant train ride.
Thank you for the review, best wishes.
Many thanks!
A balanced report.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
perfect
Love ur all videos 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you so much 😀
My grand father and father travelled in this train before partions i.e 1947.shimla house.
Oh wow 🙀
I must have been 8 or 9 years old (1953 / 54) when my parents took us (my two brothers and me) up to Darjeeling for a holiday and of course, on the Toy train both up to and down from Darjeeling. We were two young to appreciate intricacies of this marvelous railroad but I do remember clearly the awesome view of Kanchenjunga and I know my parent kept those photographs and often talked about that rail trip.
Thanks for sharing 😊
beautiful rail jpurney
Thanks a lot 😊