Toy Train

gillheri · Apr 20th, 2009, 19:30

Hello there
I am planing to go to Darjeeling from Delhi by Brahmaputra Exp. which will reach New Jalpaiguri at 4.30 am if it is not delayed...
Now, I heard that the train is many times delayed a lot. So in case, I miss the toy train or there are no tickets available for the same day,could anybody suggest one of the stations of Toy train where I would go by jeep/bus and then take the Toy train the next day? Which one is the nicest place to stay for a night? I heard of Ghum but that is not rally far from Darjeeling and the train ride would be very short. I would prefer any place in the first half of the route...Any suggestions?
Thanks

vko · Apr 20th, 2009, 20:58

Below is the schedule of the Toy Train from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling (as per http://www.indianrail.gov.in):

Code:

Stn Name 	Arrival	Dep.	Distance 
NEW JALPAIGURI 	Source 	9:00	0
SILIGURU TOWN 	9:18	9:19	5
SILIGURI JN 	9:28	9:30	8
SUKNA 		10:04	10:05	18
RANGTONG 	10:38	10:39	26
TINDHARIA 	11:45	11:46	32
GAYABARI 	12:11	12:12	44
MAHANADI 	12:42	12:43	50
KURSEONG 	13:25	13:35	57
TUNG 		14:07	14:08	65
SONADA 		14:44	14:45	73
GHUM 		15:26	15:31	82
DARJEELING 	16:15	Dest.	88

kausiks · Apr 21st, 2009, 10:52

I believe you have sufficient time in between the two trains. Indian Railway is doing better these days

Just for your information, you can book the tickets of Toy Train in advance from IRCTC website or any railways booking counter. So an advance purchase would rule out the possibility of not getting a seat

gillheri · Apr 21st, 2009, 14:50

Thanks, first of all.. Is there any place on the way which is very beautiful and therefore worth staying a night? Are there Guesthouses in all Places?

Bhaswaran · Apr 21st, 2009, 14:59

I would say, book toy train tickets well in advance. Your chance seem very bleak if you just get down and want a ticket for the same day. Tickets are given 90 days in advance, excluding the date of journey. SO, calculate and book accordingly.

Even if you do not get a chance, just go to Darjeeling by car and then take the joy ride between Darjeeling and Ghoom the next day, or you can take the Darjeelng Kurseong passenger. Both these trains are hauled by century old steam engine. See this link of the joy ride between Darjeeling and Ghoom, shot at the famous Batasia Loop: http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...0/ppuser/15496

The toy train from the plains to the hills are driven by diesel locomotive.

gillheri · Apr 24th, 2009, 18:31

Hello
Thanks for the advice... unfortunately, the train is totally booked out in beginning of May. 50 Waiting list and more... So there is nothing I can do, except going by jeep/bus...

Anyone knows a convenient transport from NJP to Darjeeling? Are there local Buses?

Thanks

Bhaswaran · Apr 24th, 2009, 18:40

There are local buses/shared jeeps. DO one thing. After getting down at NJP, take a cycle rickshaw to Tenzing Norgay bus stand (Siliguri), it will take Rs. 30. From there, you will get bus to Darjeeling, as well as shared jeep. Shared jeeps are faster. They take around Rs 125 per head and sit 10 people in a jeep. If you want further comfort, pay for two and sit comfortably.

In the mid bench, they sit four. when we went, a family of three people, we paid for four and took that whole bench, sitting pretty comfortably. I would recommend share jeep. It is cost effective, yet fast. They will give a break in between.

Go in the joy ride toy train next day. Tickets will be available.

gillheri · Apr 25th, 2009, 14:00

Thanks a lot, Bhaswaran.

kausiks · Apr 28th, 2009, 02:15

Also inquire locally at the station for tickets before you give up hope. I have heard that travel agents book tickets in bulk which are sometimes available later. Not sure about the authenticity of this information, but I have heard it from multiple people.

rajered · Apr 28th, 2009, 02:23

For Government Accomodation check the following

Darjeeling Tourist Lodge
Ph: +91-354-2254411/12/13
Fax: +91-354-2254412
Email: dort1@dte.vsnl.net.in

Kurseong Tourist Lodge
Ph: +91-354-2344409/2345608
Fax: +91-354-2344409

Morgan House Tourist Lodge
Ph: +91-355-2255384
Fax: +91-355-2255384

Apr 20th, 2009, 19:30	#1
gillheri Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 74	Toy Train Hello there I am planing to go to Darjeeling from Delhi by Brahmaputra Exp. which will reach New Jalpaiguri at 4.30 am if it is not delayed... Now, I heard that the train is many times delayed a lot. So in case, I miss the toy train or there are no tickets available for the same day,could anybody suggest one of the stations of Toy train where I would go by jeep/bus and then take the Toy train the next day? Which one is the nicest place to stay for a night? I heard of Ghum but that is not rally far from Darjeeling and the train ride would be very short. I would prefer any place in the first half of the route...Any suggestions? Thanks

Apr 21st, 2009, 10:52	#3
kausiks Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 308	I believe you have sufficient time in between the two trains. Indian Railway is doing better these days Just for your information, you can book the tickets of Toy Train in advance from IRCTC website or any railways booking counter. So an advance purchase would rule out the possibility of not getting a seat Last edited by kausiks : Apr 21st, 2009 at 16:15. Reason: Removed abbreviation

Apr 21st, 2009, 14:59	#5
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 1,353	I would say, book toy train tickets well in advance. Your chance seem very bleak if you just get down and want a ticket for the same day. Tickets are given 90 days in advance, excluding the date of journey. SO, calculate and book accordingly. Even if you do not get a chance, just go to Darjeeling by car and then take the joy ride between Darjeeling and Ghoom the next day, or you can take the Darjeelng Kurseong passenger. Both these trains are hauled by century old steam engine. See this link of the joy ride between Darjeeling and Ghoom, shot at the famous Batasia Loop: http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...0/ppuser/15496 The toy train from the plains to the hills are driven by diesel locomotive. __________________ ....life is a journey.....and the journey is more important than the destination........ Photos in Indiamike :http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...0/ppuser/15496 Photos in Flickr :http://www.flickr.com/photos/bhaswaran/ Darjeeling trip Video : "Darjeeling - The Queen of Hills" DVD

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Apr 21st, 2009, 14:50	#4
gillheri Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 74	Thanks, first of all.. Is there any place on the way which is very beautiful and therefore worth staying a night? Are there Guesthouses in all Places?

Apr 24th, 2009, 18:31	#6
gillheri Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 74	Hello Thanks for the advice... unfortunately, the train is totally booked out in beginning of May. 50 Waiting list and more... So there is nothing I can do, except going by jeep/bus... Anyone knows a convenient transport from NJP to Darjeeling? Are there local Buses? Thanks

Apr 24th, 2009, 18:40	#7
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 1,353	There are local buses/shared jeeps. DO one thing. After getting down at NJP, take a cycle rickshaw to Tenzing Norgay bus stand (Siliguri), it will take Rs. 30. From there, you will get bus to Darjeeling, as well as shared jeep. Shared jeeps are faster. They take around Rs 125 per head and sit 10 people in a jeep. If you want further comfort, pay for two and sit comfortably. In the mid bench, they sit four. when we went, a family of three people, we paid for four and took that whole bench, sitting pretty comfortably. I would recommend share jeep. It is cost effective, yet fast. They will give a break in between. Go in the joy ride toy train next day. Tickets will be available.

Apr 25th, 2009, 14:00	#8
gillheri Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 74	Thanks a lot, Bhaswaran.

Apr 28th, 2009, 02:15	#9
kausiks Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kolkata, India Posts: 308	Also inquire locally at the station for tickets before you give up hope. I have heard that travel agents book tickets in bulk which are sometimes available later. Not sure about the authenticity of this information, but I have heard it from multiple people.

Apr 28th, 2009, 02:23	#10
rajered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,184	For Government Accomodation check the following Darjeeling Tourist Lodge Ph: +91-354-2254411/12/13 Fax: +91-354-2254412 Email: dort1@dte.vsnl.net.in Kurseong Tourist Lodge Ph: +91-354-2344409/2345608 Fax: +91-354-2344409 Morgan House Tourist Lodge Ph: +91-355-2255384 Fax: +91-355-2255384