The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) plans to expand heritage joy rides, station-based events and experiential tourism programmes on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway after Darjeeling was included in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list, giving the historic railway a fresh promotional opportunity.
The railway said the international recognition could draw greater attention to the Darjeeling Toy Train and help position it not only as a heritage railway but also as an immersive tourism experience in the hills. The proposed focus includes steam locomotive rides, heritage journeys and special programmes at historic stations along the route.
“We are happy that Darjeeling has received this international recognition. The DHR is not merely a railway but a living heritage of the hills, and we want to provide visitors with memorable experiences through heritage joy rides and other tourism initiatives,” NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which opened in 1881, is part of the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow-gauge line is known for connecting the railway’s historic engineering with the landscape and settlements of the Darjeeling hills, making the journey itself a central part of the visitor experience.
NFR said it has also been using festivals and local events to increase engagement with the railway and communities along its route. The Ghum Winter Festival, Station Mahotsav and Summer Festival have provided platforms to showcase heritage stations, local culture and the distinctive Toy Train experience, while encouraging visitors to explore different parts of the DHR route.
The railway said greater emphasis is now being placed on sustainable tourism and community participation. Cultural programmes, station-based activities and outreach initiatives are being organised to connect visitors with local communities and create wider tourism opportunities in the hills.
NFR is also seeking to attract younger visitors through experiential and educational programmes focused on the DHR’s history and pioneering engineering. According to the railway’s press note, the objective is to preserve the character of the historic line while making its journey more engaging for tourists.
The railway’s next steps involve continuing heritage joy rides, festivals, station programmes and other tourism initiatives designed around the DHR route. NFR said these activities would support visitor engagement while retaining the railway’s heritage character.
