The  Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society is an International group,
based  in the UK, dedicated to promoting awareness of, interest in, and support  for,
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India.

 The DHR Society was founded by a small band of concerned enthusiasts  in 1997, who, aware of the railways uncertain state, decided to be active and form a focus for all those who are interested in the line and are concerned for its future.
With a membership of over 800 in 24 countries the DHRS seeks to appeal to those who may, have an interest in the area, or merely this remarkable line, whether it is of an historical nature, more contemporary history or even to 'model it'.

Notice to Travellers - Disruption of DHR Services
Updated 15 February 2012
Any feedback or query regarding this Notice to Travellers should be sent to Michael Melbourne, at website@dhrs.org.
Information provided is given in good faith, but the DHRS cannot be responsible for any loss or inconvenience due to reliance on it.

Normal DHR services between New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Kurseong remain suspended until further notice following the severe landslip at Pagla Jhora in June 2010 (between Gayabari & Mahanadi).
Monsoon rains in June 2011 destroyed much of the subsequent repair work, and NH55 (The Hill Cart Road) remains closed at that point.
Further damage was caused by the severe earthquake on 18 September 2011.
See photos taken August 2011 & January 2012
Only after the road formation has been restored will it be possible for the DHR tracks to be reinstated.
Realistically this section is unlikely to be repaired before mid 2012.
- -
On 28 September 2011 there was a further major landslip at Tindharia where a 150m stretch of NH55 and the DHR track was destroyed. Already isolated from the upper section, the DHR workshops are now also isolated from the lower section. Reconstruction of the road/rail formation will be a major and lengthy task, and it is too soon to anticipate how long this work will take, see report in Indian Newspapers.

(Landslip picture (left) by Anandabazar Patrika, issue date Sept. 29, 2011)

(Damaged track picture (right) from The Times of India)

More photos of the landslip by Hari Prasad Sharma
& Tindharia Landslide 2

The daily diesel-hauled train ‘Safari Special’ now operates  between Siliguri Junction and Rangtong leaving Siliguri Junction at 0900hrs, the return service departs, arriving back at Siliguri Junction at 1600hrs.

Between Darjeeling and Kurseong a daily (normally diesel-hauled) service operates, 52540 departing Darjeeling at 1015hrs arriving Kurseong at 1310hrs. The return service 52544 departs Kurseong at 1500hrs arriving Darjeeling at 1750hrs.

‘Joy Trains’ leaves Darjeeling for a round trip of about two hours to Ghum via Batasia Loop, service 52548 departing at 1040hrs, 52549 at 1320hrs and 52547 at 1600hrs.  Early booking is advisable as trains are running fully booked with intending passengers being turned away.

Intending travellers should be aware that the timetable information on the
official Indian Railways web site at www.dhr.indianrailways.gov.in is 2 years out of date.

Despite the limited services, there is still much to see and enjoy on the DHR. However, those travellers especially interested in photography of the world-famous B Class steam locomotives may do best by booking with an organised tour group which will have chartered its own services. Staff at the DHRS’s associated travel company, Darjeeling Tours Ltd will be pleased to advise on this.
Contact details are 0208 249 8943, tours@darjeelingtours.co.uk or at www.darjeelingtours.co.uk

Any feedback or query regarding this Notice to Travellers should be sent to website@dhrs.org. Information provided is given in good faith, but the DHRS cannot be responsible for any loss or inconvenience due to reliance on it.
Further details will be advised when confirmed by Indian Railways.

For the latest DHR news see News from the Line   -   For updates to this web site see Web site Updates

2012 AGM - Details of the 2012 AGM posted here.

New company limited by guarantee
 At the Annual General Meeting held on 19th June 2010, Members passed a Resolution approving draft Memorandum and Articles of Association to be used in applying for incorporation of the Society as a company limited by guarantee. I am pleased to report that the application has been successful and that the Society was registered on 13th October 2010. To provide a logical dividing line between the unincorporated Society and the new company, the latter commenced trading on 1st January 2011. One of the principal benefits of registering as a company, as pointed out at the 2009 and 2010 Annual General Meetings, is that Members' liability will no longer be unlimited but instead will be restricted to that stated in the Articles, namely £1.00 per  Member. The first Annual General Meeting of the new company was held on 18th June 2011.

Membership  of the society
Includes a high quality 'quarterly' magazine, The Darjeeling Mail packed with a wide variety of articles and photos, including current  information from the line, as well as reports and submissions from past  workers
 and people who live along the line.  To join our society, please see “DHRS Membership” page

We  have a growing selection of sales items,
Full details of all goods for sale including books, video's, DVDs, atlas and maps of the DHR
and details of payment by credit card, please see “DHRS Shop”
See some of our new items we stock here

Holiday Tours to DHR and other locations in India and USA
For those wishing to visiting the DHR line and other locations, tours that include charter trains
and access to Tindharia workshops, are arranged through
 Darjeeling Tours Ltd. (www.darjeelingtours.co.uk)

DRCS
The "Darjeeling  Railway Community Support" group is adjunct to the  DHRS,
formed to give direct support to the local people along the line.
See photos of their latest support for schools in the area.

DHRS Education Group
Formed in 2005 the Education Group aims to encourage and support local schools and colleges along the DHR in achieving an increased awareness of, and commitment to the railway.

DHRS Archive
We also have a social calendar that includes local area groups, nation-wide talks and many other events
Contact the secretary  for details.
Members have access to our considerable archive. In  the time the society has been in existence, liaising with Indian Railways,  it has played a key role in the decision not only to retain steam on the DHR but to inject fresh energy into the line as well.

Indian Web Site for the DHR
Indian Railways has given the DHR its own dedicated web site, the site
at www.dhr.indianrailways.gov.in Please note, this web site has not been updated for 20 months

First Overland Expedition member Barrington-Brown and wife killed in car crash
 on the A36 at Upton Lovell, near Warminster, on Tuesday January 24 2012.
It appears Althea was driving their Ford Focus and ‘BB’ was a passenger, when they were hit by a tipper truck carrying aggregates. The couple were killed instantly.
‘BB’ was the photographer on the ‘First Overland’ expedition of the 1955, the London to Singapore (via Darjeeling) trip by Series One Land Rover.
We will always be grateful to him allowing us to use his material in the Darjeeling Mail and Richard Wallace’s ‘Darjeeling and its Tea’ guide book.
Our thoughts are with their family and friends.
For more information see:- http://www.lro.com/news.php?sid=1155&page=1