Darjeeling Delights

Our two coach chartered DHR special enters the platform at Siliguri Jn. The loco is invisible! Siliguri, WB, 2006-06-05

Caution Orders galore on our delightful B class loco! Siliguri, WB, 2006-06-05

Tusker builds up steam as she awaits departure from a very unappealing Siliguri Jn, WB, 2006-06-05

Waiting at a wayside station, probably Rangtong, WB, 2006-06-05

Most stops see the engine get a quick clean-up and take on water, Rangtong, WB, 2006-06-05

Negotiating one of the Z reversals enroute. The train pulls up, and then reverses up the track visible on the left, only to reverse again in a similar manner, thereby gaining height. near Tindharia, WB, 2006-06-05

The guard gives his impatient 'go-ahead' as we negotiate one of the many 'Zs' along the way, near Tindharia, WB, 2006-06-05

Keep her steaming!!! Awaiting departure at Tindharia, WB, 2006-06-05

Tindharia Station. This town is famous ofr its DHR Workshops, which we were unable to visit. Notice the rather interesting 2'0" track maintenance trolley on the left. Tindharia, WB, 2006-06-05

Seeking attention! Typical scene as the crew fuss over the locos at every stop. Tindharia, WB, 2006-06-05

Dieselisation slowly creepin. Our loco 'B' Class #788 Tusker awaits at Gayabari, while the regular passenger to Darjeeling hauled by NDM-6 #601 crosses us. Gayabari, WB, 2006-06-05

The diesel loco awaits a clear signal with the up train to Darjeeling, Gayabari, WB, 2006-06-05

Typical Hills scene. 'B' Class #788 Tusker stands still at Gayabari while the schoolboys look on. Gayabari, WB, 2006-06-05

NDM6 #605 approaches with the down to New Jalpaiguri, Gayabari, WB, 2006-06-05

A passing Phase? We continued waiting till the down train heading to New Jalpaiguri crossed us, Gayabari, WB, 2006-06-05

Tusker waits her turn as Ajax has just reached us from Tindharia to take us down, Gayabari, WB, 2006-06-05

Ajax at the helm now, as we start making our way down to Siliguri, Gayabari, WB, 2006-06-05

#785 Ajax hauls us back towards Siliguri, while the detached Tusker follows suit. Note the plastic sheeting used as a cover for rain. It has a window cut out on it! Tindharia, WB, 2006-06-05

Special Cover released by the Siliguri and Sikkim Philatelic Societies to mark 150 years of the DHR. The top cover is a carried cover. This was actually carried on our train till Sukna and cancelled there too. The bottom one carries the sigantures of the

Siliguri Town station is in a pretty run down state. Only a couple of passenger trains stop here. This photo shows the narrow gauge side, while the other side serves the newly converted broad gauge line to the Dooars, Siliguri, WB, 2006-06-06

The narrow gauge track meanders through the markets that have sprung up around it, on what used to be the sidings. Siliguri Town, WB, 2006-06-05

Dilapidated is the condition of what used to be the Refreshment Room at Siliguri Town station. Note the stray pigs at bottom left corner! Siliguri Town, WB, 2006-06-06

The Teesta River bridge viewed from upstream (on the road to Gangtok). This takes the now broad gauge tracks from Siliguri towards Alipurduar, via New Mal Jn. Near Sivoke, WB, 2006-06-06

Looking out of the door as we cross the rather long Farakka Barrage. Looking out of the other door would give us a peep into Bangladesh territory. Farakka, WB, 2006-06-04

WDM-2 #17845 takes the Sealdah - New Jalpaiguri Superfast over the curve between Gumani and Bonidanga (somewhat before Malda Town). Bonidanga, WB, 2006-06-04

Small NG turn table at Darjeeling .

Himalayan Bird # 791B warming up before its morning trip .