WONDERS OF INDIA - Darjeeling toy train

• The train runs on a zig zag railway track not more than 2 ft wide.
• Along ts way, it crosses tropical mixed evergreen forests and tea gardens.
• Alog the 86 km stretch, one can sea magnificent pine trees dotting the Bhutan range, and the Teesta river just below.
• The train was built by Franklin Prestage, an agent of the Eastern Bengal company, between 1879 and 1881.
• It takes 8 hrs to cover the 8 km stretch between Siliguri and Darjeeling.
• Listed in 1999 as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
• Passes through Ghum, which is the highest station in India.
• There are no tunnels on this stretch. when the gradient gets too steep, the tracks go back a few yards and climb again.