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Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Itz_manikandan/Shutterstock

Aerial view of Himalayan Railways in Darjeeling, West Bengal,. India.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, known affectionately as the toy train, made its first journey along its precipice-topping, 2ft-wide tracks in 1881 and is one of the few hill railways still operating in India. It has had UNESCO World Heritage listing since 1999. Two-hour "joy rides" from Darjeeling to Ghum and back satisfy most people's toy-train urges. There are normally around six of these pulled by antique steam locomotives daily, and three or so with diesel engines.

Just one (diesel-powered) train in each direction daily makes the whole 88km (seven-hour!) trip between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling; another runs just from Kurseong to Darjeeling and back.

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