Darjeeling Delights

The DHR was the first narrow-gauge mountain railway of substantial length.

It opened in 1881.

It traverses the foothills of the Himalayas and is still one of the world's most exciting and scenic train rides.

Height is gained by loops and zig-zags on 1 in 18 grades.

The line was granted World Heritage Status in December 1999, but the condition of rollingstock and locomotives is parlous, and operation nowadays is a far cry from the smart 5hr 15min timings of the Mail during the 1940s.

This footage was filmed in February 1997.

At that time, it was still possible to catch many dramatic action shots.

Footage includes the Batasia, Chunbati and Agony Point loops, zig-zags Nos. 1, 2 & 4, Sukhna, Rangtong, Gayabari, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, Ghumm and Darjeeling stations, plus Tindharia and Giddapahar sidings, Kurseong Bazaar, numerous other photogenic locations, and a loco in trouble.

All-digital, filmed in 1997.