The regular toy train service of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling was cancelled because of a technical glitch on Tuesday.

It left around 30-odd passengers, mostly tourists, disappointed. They complained that despite booking tickets in advance, no one was informed about the cancellation earlier.

Sources in the DHR said that a diesel loco hauls an air-conditioned coach and a first-class coach to Darjeeling from NJP station every day. In all, 33 passengers can travel on the train.

“The loco suddenly developed technical problems and we had to cancel the service,” said a source.

“We were not informed earlier about the cancellation. We booked tickets in advance and waited for around one-and-a-half hours for the toy train,” said a tourist from Telangana.

Learning of the cancellation, tourists had to walk out of the station and make alternative transport arrangements to reach the hill town of Darjeeling.

“Railway authorities should take steps to ensure that tourists do not face such inconveniences,” one of them said.

DHR authorities said the other train that departs from Darjeeling every day reached NJP this afternoon.

“The service will be normal from tomorrow (Wednesday). The inflow of tourists is on the rise and we want them to avail at least one ride in the toy train. Necessary arrangements will be made to ensure all our services run on these days,” said an official.