The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, no. 7406570. Registered office: Lime Tree Lodge, Thorpe Road, Mattersley, Doncaster, DN10 5ED
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Notes for Editors

The Darjeeling Himalayan  Railway Society was formed in 1997.
It has about 600 members in 24 countries. The web site is www.dhrs.org

The Darjeeling  Himalayan Railway opened in 1881.
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: 07387 159 487
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 and sent to "pro@dhrs.org"
All reports and photos will always be acknowledged and any reports or photos used will be credited.


DHR UPDATE – JUNE 2025

News from the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society

More Diesels

With increased tourism and the urgent need for more motive power, India’s 2ft gauge
World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is getting three more diesel locomotives, raising the total fleet from six to nine.

The first NDM-6 Loco No. 606 arrived in mid-June with the other two locos (Nos 607, 608) due to follow shortly later.
The NDM-6 Class is unique to the DHR and is a 4-wheeled diesel hydraulic design weighing 17.2 tons, powered by a six cylinder Kirloskar Cummins engine developing 335hp at 2,100 rpm, and built by the SAN Engineering and Locomotive Company at Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore.

The first (No. 604) arrived on trial in December 1999 from the Matheran Light Railway, (for which the fleet of six had been destined) with the other five units following over a period of years. The whole fleet is maintained at the DHR narrow gauge shed at Siliguri Junction.

Said Paul Whittle, Vice Chairman DHRS “This latest investment is hugely encouraging, both for increasing the reliability of existing services and developing new services for local people and tourists. Whilst the Darjeeling-Ghum section is used intensively by the very popular ‘Joy Train’ tourist services, the rest of the 55 mile route sees only one daily return service plus occasional charter workings. It is this section that has the most stunning scenery so there is tremendous potential for more services.”

Steaming On
Although now handling the minority of services, the fleet of thirteen B Class steam locos is still very active and the DHR is almost unique in having a year-round daily narrow gauge steam operation. In fact, B Class No. 782 ‘Mountaineer’ is in its 125 th year of regular service. Indian Railways is very aware of the immense publicity value of these iconic locos, and the DHRS is in discussion with the Director DHR, Mr Rishav Choudhary, about an engineering support programme to maintain and improve their reliability and performance.


Contact for Further Information;

Paul Whittle, Vice Chairman and Public Relations DHRS
Phone 07387 159 487

paul.whittle47@hotmail.com

www.dhrs.org

Picture Credits:

NDM6 606 on road lorry transit from Bengaluru by Santanu Sarkar

3 pictures of NDM6 606 in Siliguri Junction Shed by Biswadeep Dey (Babai)

Picture of B Class 782 at Ghum Festival Dec 2024 by  Sourav Dutta