DHR – News from the line 2008

New Jalpaiguri  (Photo 1)
A new ‘Food Plaza’ has been opened on Platform 1 by the IRCTC (Catering & Tourism) offering a smarter alternative to the regular platform catering outlets.  Full vegetarian thali meals are available for Rs30/-.  These outlets have been appearing at many of the larger Indian stations over the last few years, and represent a solid advance in providing a better quality refreshment service.  None of the existing stalls appear to have been affected, though.

Siliguri Town  (Photo 1)
The new flyover is in place over the station, but the level crossings in the bazaar have remained as busy as ever.

Panchanai  (Photo 1)
The new bridge has now settle in, and offers a few new angles for the photographer to compensate for the ‘river view’ which does not now work.  Indian railways are to be congratulated on a very workmanlike and efficient structure, and this well illustrates their commitment to the DHR in terms of upgrading the infrastructure

Sukna  (Photo 1)
The garden has now matured into a very attractive area, and has almost certainly succeeded in its aim of stopping encroachment onto the area formerly occupied by the sidings.

Rangtong tank  (Photo 2)
A new balustrade has been erected along the side of the track beside the site of the old Rangtong water tanks – although now safer for the tack gangs, there is an impact on one of the better known photo spots on the line

Chunbhati  (Photo 2)
Work is being carried out at Chunbhati loop to make the area in the centre of the loop a bit smarter.  It is perhaps unfortunate that a large billboard has been erected, limiting some of the photographic potential (although plenty remains)

Kurseong  (Photo 2)
Despite fears, Kurseong shed remains open, with two locomotives still stabled there.

Darjeeling  (Photo 3)
The Locomotive Shed is still in use, but remains in need of repair following last year’s landslide.  At times, there are four locomotives required at Darjeeling, and there is precious little space.  There is just (only just) enough space on the ‘buried’ line for one loco to be stabled to allow others to pass, but action will be needed here soon.

Locomotives  (Photo 3)
In the early part of 2008, 786 was the preferred locomotive for charter trains, and it was performing well, sounding ‘on the beat’ for our visits.  1001, the new (well, partly new) B class has been converted from oil firing to coal firing, for ‘comparative trials’.  So far as we are aware, the locomotive is not doing any line work, but often acts as the Siliguri Junction shed pilot. There is a brand new boiler for a ‘B’ class at Tindharia Works, surprisingly round-topped, manufactured last year by Veesons  Energy Systems PVT Ltd of Trichy, Tamil Nadu.

Safari Specials  (Photo 3)
The Safari Specials run between Siliguri Junction and Tindharia at weekends and are run by a local company on a charter basis, using coaches 601 and 602, usually diesel-hauled.  The coaches have muzak, translucent roofs and are staffed by very attractive hostesses who are able to serve light refreshments and hot drinks on the journey.

The strike  (Photo 4)
All regular services on the DHR were suspended from 12 February for about two weeks due to a political strike in the Hills that effectively shut down all transportation from Sukna to Darjeeling (and many other hill areas too).  The opposition party Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha were agitating for a separate state (within India, but separate from West Bengal) of Gorkhaland, and wanting the resignation of Subhash Ghisingh, the chairman for many years of the Gorkha Hill Council .  There were two tours booked to use the DHR for charters to Darjeeling during this period – neither made Darjeeling, but alternative attractions in the Siliguri area were laid on for one Darjeeling Tours group caught up in the strike (including elephant rides).
There was a fringe benefit in that, while the regular trains were suspended, the DHR management was a lot more sympathetic to running steam charters between Siliguri Junction and New Jalpaiguri, where there is usually pressure on available paths where there are crossings with the new broad gauge line

Steam on three gauges  (Photo 4)
Broad gauge WP 7161 is not in the best of health, but was made fit for our charters to Chalsa this year. However, we understand that up to a dozen boiler tubes have been sealed, and some heavy repairs will be required if the locomotive is to operate next season.  Metre gauge WD 1798 disgraced itself by failing with steam leaks when being prepared for charter work in Februrary – so far as we are aware, there are no immediate plans for its repair.  Siliguri Metre gauge workshops are preparing 95 surplus YDM4 diesels for export to Burma – and making a very smart job of them, too.

B’s at Tipong  (Photo 5)
789 has been working, and has received a smart new green coat, with yellow numberplates.  796,  dead on shed, but steamable, has also been repainted in light blue, again with yellow numberplates.  Bagnall ‘David’ is not steaming well, and they are using their small diesel in preference for the Agragati Khani, where the viaduct will not support the heavier ‘B’class

NFR Management  (Photo 5)
The ‘top brass’ of the Northeast Frontier railway had a meeting with local officials in the wildlife reserve between Sevok and Gulma – they crossed our WP special at Sevok on a fleet of about ten permanent way trolleys!