Before winter settles over the Darjeeling hills, two heritage guests from southern India have arrived to breathe new life into the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR).
Two century-old diesel toy train engines, NDM Class 6, numbered 606 and 607, brought from Bengaluru, are set to make their grand debut at this year’s Ghoom Festival on November 29. The hill town is brimming with excitement as these restored locomotives prepare to grace the mountain tracks once more.
The centenarian engines, which once served the picturesque Shimla route in Himachal Pradesh, had long been displayed as exhibits at the Mysuru Railway Museum. “But rising demand for toy train rides in Darjeeling prompted us to seek reinforcements. We contacted our counterparts in Bengaluru, where the two long-retired locomotives caught the attention of engineers eager to restore them to their former glory,” said a DHR official.
Transported by road to the hills in late September, both engines underwent extensive repairs and restoration at the Tindharia workshop in Kurseong.
“A handpicked team of engineers and technicians painstakingly revived the engines, ensuring that each gleaming bolt and whirring piston reflected the railway’s proud heritage. While Engine 606 is undergoing final axle adjustments, 607 has already passed safety clearances from the North-East Frontier Railway and the Railway Board, ready to conquer Darjeeling’s iconic bends once more,” said the official.
With their induction, DHR’s fleet now stands at 15 engines, six steam-powered and nine diesel-powered. Until now, the youngest diesel locomotives dated back to 1997, making the return of these century-old veterans a moment of historic significance for the heritage line.
Also read: Darjeeling’s 130-year-old steam engine to roll again this Puja
“We received the two engines at the end of last month, and their restoration is complete,” confirmed DHR Director Rishav Chowdhury. “They will be officially launched during the Ghoom Festival, where they will also be named. Both will be used for special joyrides, and we have already initiated the process to bring two more heritage engines to Darjeeling.”
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista expressed delight over the development. “It is indeed heartening that DHR has gifted the hills two heritage engines. With the growing demand for toy train rides, these additions were much needed. I extend my gratitude to the railway authorities for this thoughtful step,” he said.
To celebrate Darjeeling’s heritage and spirit, DHR has also announced the ‘Spirit of the Hills Awards’, named after its 13 heritage engines. These awards, recognising contributions to hill tourism and heritage preservation, will be conferred on November 30 during the Ghoom Festival at Ghum, the world’s highest railway station.
Now in its fifth edition, the Ghoom Festival has grown into a celebration of mountain pride, featuring heritage exhibitions, joyrides, local art and food fairs, and cultural performances that showcase the charm of the Himalayas.
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