Ghum Winter Festival 2024: What makes the Darjeeling toy train special this year?

Darjeeling’s Toy Train is a popular attraction in the world of tourism, because of which, domestic and international tourists to visit the hill station repeadedly. This year marks the centenary of three locomotive engines of the British era that were used to navigate the train. Darjeeling’s toy train is iconic and has been given the heritage tag by UNESCO.

The toy train has an impact not only on the hills, but on the tourism and socio-economic aspect of North Bengal. On an average, at least five lakh tourists ride the toy train each year. It is because of the iconic toy train, that there has been an rise in tourism in the mountains.

The entry and exit of Batasia Loop in one frame. An engineering marvel indeed to have a loop take a train through gradients within a small area.@RailMinIndia @drm_kir pic.twitter.com/BtRUn8E0Kv

— Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (@reachdhr) November 27, 2021

On December 5, 1999, UNESCO conferred the heritage title on the train and this year marks 25 years, since the heritage tag. Subsequently, the Ghum festival was started in 2020 to bring more tourists on the toy train. It is at this festival where the public is apprised of the British era history of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Toy Train.

There are special joyrides accompanied by mountain folk songs and dances, and cultural programmes during the festival. This year, the festival commenced on November 30.

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Officially known as the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), the toy train was introduced primarily to address the need for transportation in the steep and challenging terrain of the region. Darjeeling was gaining popularity in the 19th century, but it was difficult to access due to the mountainous terrain. Prior to the toy train, the only way to reach Darjeeling was by walking or using mule carts. The introduction of the Toy Train provided a faster and more reliable means of transport.

The British colonial rulers sought to boost tourism, trade, and the local economy. The toy train facilitated the transport of goods such as tea from the hill stations to the plains, supporting Darjeeling’s growing tea industry. It also allowed easier access for tourists visiting the region, further boosting the local economy.

Priyanshu Kumar, Director of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway told Local18, “DHR Toy Train is very important and a matter of pride for us. We always take this heritage title seriously. Along with this, many new services are kept for tourists. Railway authorities are always active to ensure that this service runs well in the future as well.’ The railway authorities are always trying to keep alive the history of this glory of the British era. This is the hope of the tourist center that the journey of this toy train will continue, and tourists will come again and again.”