Toy train services of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) resumed in the Darjeeling hills on Monday, after a gap of three-and-half months.

Authorities of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said that only joy ride services of the DHR has commenced from Monday.

“We have started the joy ride services along the Darjeeling- Ghoom- Darjeeling route from today (Monday) morning. Passengers can avail the ride in first class and vistadome coaches and will also have the option to choose a train that is hauled by steam or a diesel loco,” said A.K Mishra, the DHR director.

The joy ride also includes a stop at Batasia Loop and a visit to the railway museum in Ghoom. In December last year, the joy rides had resumed but were stopped in April 2021, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There will be one first class coach and a general coach in a train. Passengers can enjoy the ride in vistadome coaches which will be run by steam locos,” said a source.

Every day, the service will begin from Darjeeling at 9.25am and the final ride of the day at 2.20pm.

“Enthusiasts can book tickets through IRCTC counters and website and the fare is around Rs 1,500 per head. Altogether, 37 passengers can board at toy train a time,” the source added.

The DHR, however, are yet to resume the regular services — between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling stations — which was halted in March last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, along with the joy rides.

Earlier, officials of the NFR had hinted that if there was no further surge in Covid-19 cases, they would resume the regular services ahead of the Durga Puja season.

“It is good that the toy train services have started. Over the past few years, the joy rides have gained huge popularity among tourists and hundreds turn up at the Darjeeling station to take a ride. It will help in boosting the inflow of tourists in the hill town,” said a hotelier based in the hill town.

On June 25 this year, there was a massive landslide near Tindharia. It had damaged a portion of the highway and also a portion of the DHR track.

“The road has been restored and the track is also ready now. We are in e contact with the district administration. If the situation improves and the state gives us a go-ahead, we can also resume the regular services ahead of the upcoming festive season,” said an official of the NFR.