Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Railway Promotes Darjeeling Toy Train After Global Recognition
Darjeeling was included in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list.
This could bring more visitors to its famous Toy Train.
Northeast Frontier Railway wants to use the attention to promote the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or DHR.
Visitors may be able to enjoy steam rides, heritage journeys and special events at historic stations.
These activities are meant to show the railway’s history, engineering and mountain landscape.
Festivals are also being held to connect tourists with local culture and communities.
The railway says it wants tourism to be sustainable and helpful to people living along the route.
The DHR opened in 1881 and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Darjeeling was included in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list.
Northeast Frontier Railway plans to promote the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway as both heritage and experiential tourism.
Steam locomotive rides, heritage journeys and special station programmes will highlight the railway’s history and engineering.
Festivals including the Ghum Winter Festival, Station Mahotsav and Summer Festival are being used to engage visitors and local communities.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway opened in 1881 and forms part of the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Who
- Northeast Frontier Railway, including Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma.
- What
- Plans to strengthen tourism around the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and its heritage joy rides.
- When
- Following Darjeeling’s inclusion in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list; the railway opened in 1881.
- Where
- Darjeeling and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway route in the hills.
- Why
- To use renewed international attention to attract visitors, promote heritage experiences, support community participation and encourage sustainable tourism.
- Recognition
- Darjeeling was included in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list.
- Railway
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is also known as the Darjeeling Toy Train.
- Operator
- Northeast Frontier Railway is promoting the tourism initiatives.
- Experiences
- Plans include steam locomotive rides, heritage journeys and special programmes at historic stations.
- Festivals
- The Ghum Winter Festival, Station Mahotsav and Summer Festival are being used to engage visitors.
- Opening year
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway opened in 1881.
- Heritage status
- It is part of the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site.