Siliguri: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has stepped up efforts to preserve the heritage of the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) with the revitalisation of the historic Sukna railway station, a 146-year-old landmark at the foothills of the Himalayas.
The initiative seeks to protect the station’s historic character while making it a more engaging destination for tourists travelling on the world-famous Darjeeling Toy Train.
A key attraction of the revamped station is a new heritage photo gallery showcasing the history and evolution of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The photographs are equipped with QR codes, allowing visitors to scan them and access additional information about the railway’s rich heritage.
The heritage initiative was highlighted during a programme attended by NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, which also featured traditional Nepali folk dances and musical performances.
Shrivastava said passenger traffic on the DHR has been rising and that the railway is taking steps to improve the heritage-train experience. Additional Toy Train services are also planned during the Durga Puja season to meet the expected surge in tourist demand.
ANCHOR NEWS: DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY CELEBRATES 146 YEARS OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS WITH SUKNA STATION MAHOTSAV https://t.co/D6plIDFQpn
— The Travel and Tourism Times (@TheTravelandTo1) October 3, 2026
Sukna’s special place in Toy Train history
Sukna holds a special place in the DHR’s story as the railway begins its dramatic climb from the plains towards Darjeeling from this region. The historic railway, built between 1879 and 1881, is renowned for its engineering innovations, including loops and zigzags that allow trains to negotiate the steep Himalayan terrain.
The DHR, with its 2-foot narrow-gauge track, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 as part of the Mountain Railways of India. UNESCO describes it as an outstanding example of a hill passenger railway and an important landmark in railway engineering.
A little speed. A LOT of adventure. 🚂💨
The sound of the steam engine, the incredible views, and a ride you’ll remember forever. 😳🔥
This isn’t just a train ride… it’s an experience!
Would you dare to take this unforgettable ride? 👀👇 pic.twitter.com/FJzZMIX0kb
— sunil kumar rana (@1984sunil) October 1, 2026
NFR is also focusing on the preservation of the railway’s historic locomotives. At the Tindharia workshop, one of the key maintenance centres of the DHR, the railway continues to maintain its fleet of heritage steam locomotives.
The revival of Sukna is therefore more than a station upgrade—it is an effort to keep alive a 146-year-old railway legacy while presenting its history to a new generation of travellers.
With the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway set to approach its 150th anniversary in 2030, the renewed focus on stations, locomotives and heritage tourism could give India’s iconic Toy Train a fresh lease of life.
