The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated 'Toy Train Day' with a community outreach programme at the historic Sukna Railway Station in West Bengal on Tuesday, reaffirming its commitment to heritage conservation, cultural engagement, and public participation, according to officials. The event coincided with the announcement that the DHR recorded its highest-ever June revenue of ₹3.98 crore in 2026.

Community at the Heart of the Celebration

Operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the DHR — popularly called the 'Toy Train' — is among India's most iconic mountain railways and a globally recognised symbol of engineering heritage. This year's Toy Train Day was organised in collaboration with the North Bengal Painters Association, bringing together railway officials, local residents, students, and heritage enthusiasts at Sukna Railway Station.

The centrepiece of the celebration was a heritage-themed painting competition and an interactive art workshop for children and young artists. Experienced painters from the North Bengal Painters Association guided participants through hands-on sessions, with the station itself transformed into an open-air art studio. Drawing inspiration from the DHR, the surrounding Himalayan landscape, and the region's cultural legacy, participants produced artworks reflecting their personal connections to the narrow-gauge railway.

Miniature Steam Engine Steals the Show

A major attraction at the event was a meticulously crafted miniature replica of the iconic DHR Heritage Steam Engine, created by renowned local artist Suman Roy. The detailed scale model served both as an educational exhibit and a source of artistic inspiration, drawing attention to the engineering excellence and enduring charm of the historic steam locomotive. The event concluded with a display and public appreciation of all artworks created during the day.

NFR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the initiative was aimed at inspiring younger generations to appreciate and preserve the DHR's legacy through creative expression. 'Through such initiatives, the DHR continues to strengthen its bond with local communities while promoting awareness of the importance of preserving its unique heritage for future generations,' he stated.

Record Revenue Signals Tourism Surge

Beyond the cultural celebrations, the DHR logged a significant commercial milestone: the railway earned ₹3.98 crore in June 2026, up from ₹3.25 crore during the same month in the previous year. According to Sharma, this marks the highest consecutive June revenue in the DHR's history since its inception.

The revenue jump reflects growing tourist interest in the UNESCO-listed railway, alongside sustained efforts by the NFR to enhance the heritage tourism experience and improve passenger services. Notably, this growth comes as India's mountain railway tourism sector has seen renewed interest in the post-pandemic period, with travellers increasingly seeking experiential and heritage travel.

Preserving a Living Heritage

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, recognised for its outstanding universal value as a pioneering example of hill railway engineering. The narrow-gauge line, which traverses dramatic Himalayan terrain between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, continues to operate vintage steam locomotives alongside modern services.

The NFR has indicated that community-focused programmes like Toy Train Day will remain a regular feature of the DHR's heritage outreach calendar, with future initiatives expected to deepen public engagement and support sustainable heritage tourism across the region.