The world-famous toy train service of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has recorded the highest revenue earning in its history in the first nine months of the current fiscal, railway officials said here on Wednesday.

The heritage mountain railway, which draws thousands of tourists every year, including railway enthusiasts from abroad, has earned Rs 15.28 crore from April to December 2022.

In 2021, the DHR earned Rs 5.67 crore.

“This is the highest earning recorded in the history of the DHR. As compared to the corresponding period of the last fiscal, there has been an increase of 169 per cent in the revenue,” said an official of Northeast Frontier Railway.

The mountain railway, which had started in 1881, was conferred a world heritage status by Unesco in 1999. It runs regular services between Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri, along with eight joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghoom.

“In recent years, a number of initiatives were taken to increase the number of passengers. New coaches were introduced and new services were launched. These efforts seem to have worked,” the official added.