The iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is launching special toy train services for the upcoming Durga Puja festive season to enhance travel experiences in the hills. The Northeast Frontier Railway initiative will begin on October 1, 2026, offering tourists unique heritage journeys across scenic mountain routes. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway will launch special festive services starting October 1, 2026. Four single-trip joyrides will operate between Darjeeling and Ghum at a fare of 800 rupees per passenger. The steam-hauled Red Panda train will run between Kurseong and Mahanadi for 1,530 rupees. The diesel-operated Mukta Dhara service will connect Kurseong and Mahanadi for 1,030 rupees per passenger.
The Northeast Frontier Railway has meticulously planned these special services to cater to the massive influx of tourists expected during the festive season.
The schedule includes four single-trip diesel-hauled joyrides between Darjeeling and Ghum with a proposed fare of 800 rupees per passenger. These trips provide visitors with classic views of the mountains and the historic loop at Batasia. Additionally, two distinct round-trip special services will operate between Kurseong and Mahanadi, blending natural beauty with rich literary history.
Among the star attractions is the famous
Red Panda train, a steam-hauled service running between Kurseong and Mahanadi with a proposed fare of 1,530 rupees. This service offers passengers an authentic vintage steam locomotive experience reminiscent of early railway history in the hills. Alongside it, the railway will operate the
Mukta Dhara service, a diesel-operated round-trip train priced at 1,030 rupees per passenger. The Mukta Dhara service pays tribute to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore because the route passes the famous Paglajhora waterfall that inspired his play. Ahead of the official commercial launch,
a special preview run of the Mukta Dhara is scheduled for late September at Mahanadi Railway Station to coincide with the local Station Mahotsav. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Director Rishav Choudhury confirmed the introduction of these services to link railway heritage with the cultural legacy of the region. Railway official Prateeksha Chetri noted that these additional joyrides aim to maximize tourism opportunities during the festive season.
The official announcements regarding these special holiday runs were released on August 25 and 26, 2026. Passengers planning a trip to the Darjeeling hills this autumn can look forward to booking these special heritage experiences through official channels and counters.
