The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society
(DHRS) founded in 1997, with more than 900 members across the world, has been
showcasing and popularizing the toy train and believes this narrow gauge
railway that began its journey in torturous Darjeeling hills in 1881 would
continue to remain a fancy for steam engine lovers throughout the world. More
than 60% of the members are British.
Passing through one of its worst phases, with
regular services between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling closed for more than two
and half years due to two major landslides at Tindharia and Paglajhora, the
future of the toy train looks bleak.
However, DHRS is committed to motivate and
encourage people across the globe to play the role of a support group to ensure
that their beloved DHR survives.
David Barrie, chairman of DHRS, who was
touring with a group of 15 DHR enthusiasts from the United Kingdom for last two
weeks said, "No other Himalayan railways can match the DHR, which is
unique and fascinating. For any railway enthusiast, the ride on the DHR is a
thrilling experience and the spectacular scenes one witnesses while the trains
chug along through the hills makes the experience heavenly."
Barrie said, "The DHR can be made viable
as people all across the world are ready to pay more for the charter rides. We
do not want to ride the DHR cheaply. Rather, we want to give bundle of money to
support the DHR." A DHR charter ride for 30 foreigners is already lined up
for next month.
Recently an initiative of the DHRS to
overhaul two B class steam engines at the Tindharia railway workshop won the
prestigious Steam Railway Readers' Award 2012.
As part of the Tindharia engineering project,
engineering director David Mead and steam engineer Mike Weedon from the UK
visited Tindharia DHR workshop three time and were paid by the DHRS to 'rebore'
the engine's cylinders and fit new pistons and rings with the help of DHR staff
at Tindharia DHR workshop. This resulted in the increase in the pulling
capacity of the overhauled engines thus consuming less coal and water.
"Encouraged by this magnificent
achievement, the Indian Railways is now more keen to continue with this type of
engineering support from the DHRS on a structured and funded basis," said
Paul Whittle, vice chairman of DHRS.
Other than popularising the DHR, the DHRS has
been helping local stakeholders improve their economic condition and even
supporting local NGOs in Darjeeling hills to maintain a school in remote Rohini
and another at Kurseong as well as sponsoring two nursing students through
their three-year training.
Courtesy : Hindustan Times
No comments:
Post a Comment