DHRS News from the Line  & Press Release Page See Indian Newspapers page for current news A few pictures from the DTL tour of Darjeeling area, January 2010 DHR 2009 Schools Art and Quiz Competition Kurseong A full report and pictures of this very successful event will be in the February 2010 issue of the Darjeeling Mail magazine. In the meantime click on the link below to view a delightful ten minute film record. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V24Aj9A0wE Sincere thanks to Vikram Rai and the students of St Joseph's College, Darjeeling for its production. Pictures from the DHR 2008 Schools Drama Competition LINE NEWS UPDATE A brief summary of observations from Paul Whittle, Vice Chairman DHRS during a DHR visit in late October/early November 2008. DHRS members will get fuller details and photos in the February 2009 issue of the Society’s quarterly magazine ‘The Darjeeling Mail’. If you are not yet a member, why not consider joining the DHRS on line? Siliguri Town India’s Ministry of Culture has expressed interest in restoring the station building as a heritage facility. The broad gauge service here is a mere three trains each way daily, compared with the much busier Siliguri Junction Station. Siliguri Junction When the metre gauge Siliguri - Kishenganj line is converted to broad gauge, the plan is still for a metre gauge facility to be retained between Siliguri and Bagdogra where the airport is being expanded for steadily increasing passenger traffic. Sukna The museum room on the ground floor is looking good, as is the often-overlooked first floor room accessed by the iron spiral staircase and with a good selection of old photographs. Chunbhati Loop The new playground area is proving extremely popular with the local community who are most appreciative and maintaining it in immaculate condition. Tindharia The workshops are looking very clean and smart after recent renovation and repainting. The workforce is still about 100. Work on the wooden office structure by the gate is almost complete and will include a photographic display. Kurseong The museum room is looking very smart under the enthusiastic support of the Station Manager, Mr P K Bandopadhyay. The long disused turntable is to be restored and reconnected. The original DHR HQ is nearing completion of major renovation/painting and looking very smart. The adjacent block now has the DHR Control Room, relocated for practical purposes from the Elysia Building on the edge of town and which will now be freed up for residential or other heritage use. The NFR printing works has had a reprieve and is now likely to survive for several more years. The shed is currently busy, handling work that cannot be done at Darjeeling due to the shed damage there. Some staff have been temporarily transferred. Sonada Station To bring the restored but currently empty station building back into use, the DHR may offer the retail units to local NGOs. Ghum The external exhibits are looking extremely shabby, especially coach No 93 alongside ‘Baby Sivok’. However renovation will start soon, now that the monsoon season is over. Darjeeling There is still no progress on starting repairs to the loco shed badly damaged well over two year ago by an earth slip. A typical visit to the station around 1000hrs reveals three, occasionally four, B Class, in steam – one for station pilot, one for the 9D/10D Kurseong service and one for the Joy Trains. All were in good external condition. New Proposed line extension to Tiger Hill Read  about this proposed new route of the DHR to Tiger Hill (8482ft asl)  in this press cutting from The Telegraph, Calcutta, Indian Newspaper (PDF  format displayed in a new page) It  is also reported that a number of new railway lines in the North of  India are being considered by Indian Railways to counter the infrastructure developments by China with the building  of railway lines and roads in Tibet. These include a broad-gauge (narrow-gauge ?) line from NJP/Siliguri  via Rangpo to Gangtok in the Sikkim Himalayas. (New Teesta Valley line ?) Photo  of the MG Steam Experience at Siliguri on 11th February 2007 Photos  from the Darjeeling at Leisure Tour by Dave Priestley Photos of Steam on 3 Gauges, the DHR and Calcutta The  Chunabhati School Project 1st February 2007 Visit  by officers of Indian Railways on a fact finding tour of the UK

Notes for Editors The Darjeeling Himalayan  Railway Society was formed in 1997. It has over 800 members in 24 countries. Its web site is at www.dhrs.org  & www.dhrs.org.uk The Darjeeling  Himalayan Railway opened in 1881. It is one of only three railways in  the World designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The line from  New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling is 55 miles long and rises to over 7,400ft. For more information  please contact Paul Whittle, Public Relations Officer on: 01932 346549 pro@dhrs.org Reports  from the Line - How You Can Help The DHRS welcomes factual, current information from recent visitors to the  line. Information should include dates, locations, locomotive and carriage details,  and timings. Any other more general information e.g. special workings is  also welcome. If photographs are available for the use of the Society, please detail them  (but do not send them until requested). Reports should be sent to "darjmpm@dhrs.org" and will always be  acknowledged. Any reports or photos used will be credited.