A new feather has been added to the cap of Darjeeling’s legendary Toy Train. For the convenience of commuters especially from abroad, it will have a new air-conditioned coach.
It has been touted as one of the innovative steps of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway authorities to upgrade the famous heritage ride to popularise the ride further.
After a recent trial run of the train with the AC compartment the first commercial of the train was done on March 12. It ran with two compartments, one air-conditioned the other, general.
Officials said that for the time it would ply on some special trains and later looking at the success, all the Toy Trains will have one AC compartment.
Authorities of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway said that the step was taken looking at the changing weather conditions of the place. “At present, there has been a huge change in the weather conditions. Till a few years ago, even up to Sukna area, it used to be cold throughout the year but recent development shows that from Tindharia district itself it starts getting warmer as you go down. So this step has been taken looking at the convenience of tourists,” a senior official said.
He also said that initially there will be one AC and two general coaches in all Toy Trains. Later arrangements would be made for providing AC compartment for chartered special trains.
It was also found out that authorities have not taken any decision about the hike in fare for the general compartments but it has been assured that fare hike for general commuting and new fare structure for AC travelling would be fixed keeping in mind affordability of passengers so that more and more people opt for this joyride.
