DHRS News from the Line  & Press Release Page News and pictures of the Tea & Tourism Festival at Kurseong Station - December 2011 Pictures by Hari Prasad Sharma Pictures by Sushil Dikshit Notice to Travellers - Disruption of DHR Services Updated 26 January 2012 Any feedback or query regarding this Notice to Travellers should be sent to Paul Whittle, at pro@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. 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. See photos taken August 2011 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. (Landslip picture by Anandabazar Patrika, issue date Sept. 29, 2011) (Damaged track picture on the right from The Times of India) More photos of the landslip by Hari Prasad Sharma 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 Notes for Editors The Darjeeling Himalayan  Railway Society was formed in 1997. It has over 800 members in 24 countries. Its web site is at www.dhrs.org  & www.dhrs.org.uk The Darjeeling  Himalayan Railway opened in 1881. It is one of only three railways in  the World designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The line from  New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling is 55 miles long and rises to over 7,400ft. For more information  please contact Paul Whittle, Public Relations Officer on: 01932 346549 pro@dhrs.org Reports  from the Line - How You Can Help The DHRS welcomes factual, current information from recent visitors to the  line. Information should include dates, locations, locomotive and carriage details,  and timings. Any other more general information e.g. special workings is  also welcome. If photographs are available for the use of the Society, please detail them and sent to "darjmpm@dhrs.org" All reports and photos will always be acknowledged and any reports or photos used will be credited.