The beloved Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is currently making headlines as its highest operational point, Ghoom station, and the surrounding track, are being celebrated as contenders for the title of the “World’s Highest Toy Train Route.”

While the DHR is renowned globally for its charming steam locomotives and breathtaking mountain vistas, renewed attention is focusing on its remarkable altitude.

The DHR, affectionately known as the “Toy Train,” traverses approximately 88 kilometers (55 miles) from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. Its journey is an engineering marvel, featuring incredibly tight curves, steep gradients, and unique “Z-reverses” and “loops” designed to navigate the challenging Himalayan terrain.

• Ghoom Station: At an elevation of 7,407 feet (2,258 meters) above sea level, Ghoom is not only India’s highest railway station but also the highest point on the DHR route. The tracks leading up to and past Ghoom are what position it as potentially the highest operating toy train route in the world.
• A Living Heritage: Built between 1879 and 1881, the DHR was one of the first and remains one of the few hill railways to be granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Its narrow gauge (2 ft) and reliance on traditional steam locomotives (though diesel engines are also used) offer a nostalgic journey into the past.

A ride on the Darjeeling Toy Train is an immersive experience, chugging past lush tea gardens, dense forests, and quaint Himalayan villages. The gradual ascent offers panoramic views of the majestic Kanchenjunga peak, the third-highest mountain in the world, often piercing through the clouds.

The railway’s unique design and the incredible altitude reached by its tiny engines provide an unparalleled experience for tourists and railway enthusiasts alike. While exact global criteria for “World’s Highest Toy Train Route” can vary depending on definitions of “toy train” and “route,” the DHR’s Ghoom section is undeniably among the very top contenders and remains a jewel in India’s railway heritage.

Ghoom is also home to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Museum, showcasing artifacts, photographs, and historical documents related to the railway’s construction and operation, making it a key stop for visitors.

The DHR continues to attract thousands of tourists annually, offering a nostalgic and awe-inspiring journey through one of the most picturesque landscapes in the world.