Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: a narrow-gauge World Heritage railway

Background

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway opened in 1881. It runs for 88.48 km from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling on a gauge of 2 feet (0.610 meter). Its innovative design includes six zigzag reverses and three loops. It was inscribed in 1999 as part of the Mountain Railways of India, with the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka Shimla Railway. UNESCO says the design of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway applies bold and ingenious engineering solutions to the problem of establishing an effective rail link across mountainous terrain of great beauty.