The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has decided to resume toy train services from Christmas.

The service had come to a halt around 10 months ago because of Covid-19.

“Today, we received permission from the state government for resumption of toy train services. We have decided to begin the services from December 25,” said S. Chanda, the chief public relation officer of Northeast Frontier Railway.

Initially, there will be three joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghoom every day.

DHR’s toy train service is one of the major attractions for tourists visiting the hills.

After the lockdown was eased, stakeholders of the tourism industry have time and again demanded resumption of the service.

The demand had made the railway officials approach the state as well as carry out inspection of the tracks, the rolling stock and other equipment.

“We are fully prepared to start the toy train service again. Initially, it has been decided to start three joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghoom every day. Among these, two rides will be conducted by steam loco and another by a diesel loco,” said AK Mishra, the director of DHR, said.

The railways however, are yet to decide on resumption of the regular service between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling.

According to NFR sources, for the two steam loco rides, the fare per passenger will be Rs 1,500 for the morning ride and Rs 1,600 for the second ride that will be conducted in the afternoon.

For the third ride where the coaches would be hauled by a diesel loco, the fare is Rs 1,000.

“Earlier, nine such joy rides used to run. We will monitor the response of people and would then decide whether to introduce more rides,” said a railway official.