Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Turns 125
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway celebrates 125 years of the legendary B Class steam locomotive No. 782B with a heritage train flagged off from Ghum, India’s highest railway station. A steamy tribute to engineering, history, and hill culture.
There are birthdays, and then there are proper knees-ups—and today, Darjeeling had one for the ages. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), that beloved ribbon of narrow-gauge nostalgia winding through the mists of the Eastern Himalayas, celebrated the 125th year of continuous service of its most cherished workhorse: the legendary B Class steam locomotive No. 782B.
And when we say “continuous,” we mean it—no popping off for a nap or retiring with a pension and a pipe. This iron lass has been chugging along since 1900, making her one of the most indefatigable old girls in steam railway history. She’s seen more hill-stations and sipped more Himalayan fog than your average Instagram influencer.
To mark this grand occasion, a special heritage steam train was flagged off with much pomp and circumstance from none other than Ghum Railway Station—the loftiest bit of rail real estate in India. Perched at a nose-tingling 7,407 feet above sea level, it’s the sort of place where you half-expect to see snowflakes waltzing in mid-April and yetis waiting for tea.
Doing the honours was Dr. C.M. Ramesh, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, flanked by Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, the Northeast Frontier Railway’s general manager. Both appeared thoroughly chuffed to be part of history with soot in the air and steam in their hair.
The atmosphere was, in a word, buzzing. Dignitaries, Members of Parliament, senior railway brass—all turned up in their Sunday best (on a weekday, mind you) to witness this slice of living history. And if that wasn’t enough to warm the cockles of your heart, a cultural programme featuring the traditional music and folk dances of the Darjeeling Hills added just the right amount of razzle-dazzle. There were drums, there were dances, and more than one official was spotted tapping a polished shoe.
Of course, no proper railway birthday bash is complete without a spot of museum-ing. Members of the Parliamentary Committee made a beeline for the Railway Museum at Ghum, where they were given a rundown of the restoration and conservation efforts that keep the DHR ticking along like a well-oiled kettle. Credit where it’s due—the committee rightly heaped praise on the craftsmanship and sheer elbow grease involved in preserving this UNESCO World Heritage treasure.
And now, let us spare a moment to bow our heads in admiration for the birthday girl herself. The 782B, a B Class steam locomotive built by Sharp, Stewart & Co. (when Queen Victoria was still in charge and telegrams were all the rage), is more than just a train. She’s a living, steaming monument to British-era engineering and Indian ingenuity. She’s been wheezing, whistling, and wooing tourists along those tight Himalayan curves for 125 years without so much as throwing in the towel.
So here’s to 782B—a grand old dame of the rails, still full of puff, still stealing hearts, and still showing the youngsters how it’s done.
Long may she steam!
News Sources : The Sikkim Express
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