Guwahati, July 7: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated ‘Toy Train Day’ with a vibrant community outreach programme at the historic Sukna Railway Station in West Bengal, reaffirming its commitment to preserving its rich heritage, promoting cultural engagement and strengthening community participation, officials said on Tuesday.
Operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the DHR, popularly known as the ‘Toy Train’, is one of India’s most iconic mountain railways and a globally recognised symbol of engineering heritage. The celebration brought together railway officials, local residents, students and heritage enthusiasts to highlight the DHR’s enduring legacy and foster greater public awareness about the conservation of this historic narrow-gauge railway.
NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, said that, organised in collaboration with the North Bengal Painters Association, the celebration featured a heritage-themed painting competition and an interactive art workshop for local children and young artists.
The initiative aimed to inspire the younger generation to appreciate and preserve the rich legacy of the iconic mountain railway through creative expression, he said. The programme transformed the picturesque Sukna Railway Station into an open-air art studio, where experienced artists from the North Bengal Painters Association guided participants through hands-on painting sessions.
Sharma said that drawing inspiration from the DHR, the surrounding natural landscape and the region’s rich cultural heritage, the young participants created artworks reflecting their unique perspectives on the historic narrow-gauge railway. A major attraction of the event was the exhibition of a meticulously crafted miniature replica of the iconic DHR Heritage Steam Engine by renowned local artist Suman Roy.
The detailed model served as an educational exhibit and a source of artistic inspiration, showcasing the engineering excellence and timeless charm of the historic steam locomotive. The event concluded with the display and appreciation of the artworks created by the participants.
The NFR CPRO said that through such initiatives, the DHR continues to strengthen its bond with local communities while promoting awareness of the importance of preserving its unique heritage for future generations. In another significant achievement, the DHR registered its highest-ever revenue in June 2026, earning Rs 3.98 crore, compared to Rs 3.25 crore during the corresponding period last year, he noted.
Sharma said that this exceptional growth marks the highest consecutive June revenue in the history of the DHR since its inception and reflects the increasing popularity of the UNESCO World Heritage railway among tourists, along with the sustained efforts of the NFR to enhance heritage tourism and the passenger experience. The DHR remains committed to preserving its rich legacy while embracing innovative initiatives that promote cultural engagement, community participation and sustainable heritage tourism, he stated.
IANS
