Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Marks 146 Years With Heritage Gallery
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway marked Sukna station’s 146th anniversary by opening a gallery of old railway photographs.
Visitors can scan QR codes beside the pictures to learn about them.
Railway manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava opened the gallery.
He also restarted an old steam engine called B780 at the Tindharia workshop.
Railway officials plan to use it on two special heritage train rides between Kurseong and Mahanadi.
The workshop maintains 13 steam engines, and nine diesel engines are also working.
Shrivastava opened a new Railway Protection Force barrack in Kurseong.
He also opened a railway siding at Giddaypahar that had been restored after 21 years.
Another report said extra train services would be arranged before Durga Puja to meet increased demand.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway opened a photo gallery at its Sukna museum for the station’s 146th anniversary.
Northeast Frontier Railway General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava inaugurated the gallery; photographs have QR codes linking to historical information.
Shrivastava recommissioned the 125-year-old steam locomotive B780 at Tindharia, with plans to use it on two heritage services between Kurseong and Mahanadi.
The Tindharia workshop maintains 13 DHR steam locomotives, and nine diesel locomotives are operational.
Shrivastava opened a new Railway Protection Force barrack in Kurseong and a Giddaypahar siding restored after 21 years.
- Who
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Northeast Frontier Railway General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava.
- What
- A heritage photo gallery was opened, locomotive B780 was recommissioned, and railway facilities were opened or restored.
- When
- On Saturday, the 146th anniversary of Sukna station; the articles do not give a calendar date.
- Where
- Sukna, Tindharia, Kurseong and Giddaypahar in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway area of West Bengal.
- Why
- To mark Sukna station’s anniversary and showcase and maintain the railway’s heritage; additional services were also announced to manage expected Durga Puja demand.
Reported milestone
Additional tourism measures
Anniversary and gallery
Reported milestone
The Telegraph India reports the 146th anniversary was marked by inaugurating a heritage photo gallery at the Sukna museum.
Additional tourism measures
The ANI-syndicated report also describes cultural festivities, including a cake-cutting and Nepali folk performances, and frames the wider effort as promoting the railway amid record passenger footfall.
Passenger services
Reported milestone
The Telegraph India reports plans to use recommissioned locomotive B780 on two short heritage services between Kurseong and Mahanadi.
Additional tourism measures
The ANI-syndicated report says additional services would operate ahead of Durga Puja, while also describing the existing daily joy rides and direct services.
- Sukna station anniversary
- 146th anniversary
- DHR 150th anniversary
- Expected in 2030
- Gallery
- At the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway museum at Sukna; photographs include QR codes with historical information
- Locomotive B780
- A 125-year-old steam locomotive recommissioned at Tindharia
- Planned heritage services
- Muktadhara and Red Panda, between Kurseong and Mahanadi
- Tindharia workshop fleet
- Maintains 13 DHR steam locomotives; nine diesel locomotives are operational
- Giddaypahar siding
- Restored after 21 years
- Durga Puja services
- Additional services were announced ahead of the festival to cater to expected passenger demand
