Darjeeling Mail

ronzesty

I've read in various threads that the Darjeeling toy train waits for the Darjeeling Mail from Kolkata before taking off from NJP.

Is this true, or would it be more beneficial to arrange a Jeep or shared bus up to Darjeeling and take the toy train on the way back.

I would love to take the toy train both ways, but not sure if this is possible given the arrival of the train from Kolkata.

chief61

I think its good option if you Make your inward
journey darjeeling by Shared Jeep or Car , which
are plentiful just you come out of the station,
and make your outward journey from Darjeeling
by Toy train.

saajan_20

Time being not a constraint the ride should nt be missed at any cost. Althought the jeep ride from the plain s {silliguri} takes around 3 1/2 to 4 hrs the train ride for the same take s around 8-9hrs !!!!
I was there in june 06 and that was a rush rush trip hence had to go to and fro in a jeep but just for the fun we took a ride from ghoom to darjeeling which was worth it !!!

chief61

For all of your information.

Yesterday ( 11/Mar) Darjeeling Mail was running late by
10 hours than Original Scheduled Time.

So be Prapared.

Pradeep Nayak

And also I would like to add that you need to do reservation a month ahead to board on the toy rain. ..Or you have to bribe to a coolie in NJP. That was my experience in NJP in 2006.

Moreover, if you start at 10 in the morning you reach Darjeeling at 5 in the evening. So be prepared for that also - unlike a 2 hour jeep ride.

But, in any case it is worth it - its almost like sipping whisky - the hights get slowly inside your soul and ringe it thoroughly making you toned for the most beautiful Hillstation in India.

Returning by toy train, therefore, is not a good idea - as there is no anticipation involved..

ronzesty

Re the delay on the Darjeeling Mail: i'll plan on either spending the night at NJP and taking the toy train in the morning, or taking a jeep after the Mail.

However, I would certainly like to take the toy train atleast one way. Leaving NJP, we are scheduled for the Darjeeling Mail back to Kolkata with a departure time of about 8pm. Do you think the toy train from Darjeeling to NJP would run 6+ hours late? I know it is hard to tell on these things.

Also, if you miss a train that you are scheduled for, can you take the same train the next day? For example if we decide to take the toy train from Darjeeling to NJP only to miss the Darjeeling Mail, will they honour our ticket for the next night's departure?

I certainly enjoy a fine whiskey, so to that regard are there any suggested areas to spend the night near NJP station? We could take an autorickshaw or taxi to a village on the toy-train route and make sure we caught the toy train the next morning

steven_ber

Why is this thread in the Kolkata forum????? it took me a while to find it, Trains forum would have been best, or maybe the West Bangal forum....

The above deley was caused by a triple problem, the engine broke down, then later the replacement engine broke down, then the train was delayed by a further 80 minutes beause of a cracked rail.

As far as I'm aware, the train is usually quite reliable.

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Judi

You certainly don't need to book a month ahead for the Toy Train, you can just arrive at the station and buy your ticket there. And no, the Toy train doesn't wait for the Darjeeling Mail to arrive (nor vice versa!).

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