Darjeeling Himalayan Railway…

 

Indian themes on foreign stamps…

- Kenneth Sequeira

 

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR)  nicknamed the "Toy Train", is a 2 ft railway from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling in West Bengal, run by the Indian Railways.

It was built between 1879 and 1881 and is about 86 kms.  Four modern diesel locomotives handle most of the scheduled services: however the daily Kurseong-Darjeeling return service and the daily tourist trains from Darjeeling to Ghum (India's highest railway station) are handled by vintage British-built B Class steam locomotives. Since 1999 the train has been a World Heritage Site as listed by UNESCO along with the Niligiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the original destination. Its the 2nd railway to have this honour bestowed upon it, after Semmering Railway of Austria.

A broad gauge railway connected Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Siliguri in 1878. Siliguri, at the base of the Himalayas, was connected to Darjeeling by a cart road (the present day Hill Cart Road) on which "Tonga services" (carriage services) were available. Franklin Prestage, an agent of Eastern Bengal Railway Company approached the government with a proposal of laying a steam tramway from Siliguri to Darjeeling. The proposal was accepted in 1879  by Sir Ashley Eden, the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal

Gillanders Arbuthnot & Co. constructed the railway. The stretch was opened on 23 August 1880, while the official opening of the line up to Darjeeling was on 4 July 1881. Despite natural calamities, such as an earthquake in 1897 and a major cyclone in 1899, the DHR continued to improve with new extension lines being built in response to growing passenger and freight traffic. However, the DHR started to face competition from bus services that started operating over the Hill Cart Road, offering a shorter journey time. During World War II, the DHR played a vital role transporting military personnel and supplies to the numerous camps around Ghum and Darjeeling.

After the independence of India, the DHR was absorbed into Indian Railways and became a part of the Northeast Frontier Railway zone in 1958. In 1962, the line was realigned at Siliguri and extended by nearly 6 km to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to meet the new broad gauge line there.

Bhutan & Gambia released stamps on this railway line as part of the Famous Trains / Locomotives across the world.

India Post issued  a commemorative stamp on Centenary of  The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway on 18 December 1982.

- Kenneth Sequira, Dubai (UAE) : email -  kenneth.sequeira@hotmail.com

Also Read….The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and its Locomotives by Vikas Singh

New Stamps from Belarus and Ukraine..

 

 

50th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement

 

Date of Issue :  2 August , 2011

Here are some new issues from Belarus and Ukraine on a variety of themes.

 

 

 Fishes of Belarus reservoirs

Date of Issue : 18 August 2011

New Stamps from Ukraine

Railways

Date of Issue : 5 July 2011

Ukrainian Locomotives

 

Traditional Ukrainian farmstead

 

Date of Issue : 25 June 2011

The stamp illustrates Ukrainians with traditional rural domestic animals: cat, dog, piglet, caw and swallows building a nest.

 

Constitution of Ukraine. July 28, 1996. 15 years

Date of Issue : 17 June 2011

New stamps from Malaysia

 

 

To be issued on  22 June 1010

Hi ! Here are some new stamps to be issued by Malaysia on Malaysian Trains  on June 22, 2010. The stamps are very colorful with a nice Miniature sheet. Our thanks to Mr.  Pradip Jain of Patna  and  Mr Thevarayn Srinivasan of Klang Malaysia. This is all in this Post…Till Next Post ….Have a Nice Time !

 

To be issued on 22 June 2010

Club News

Great Australian Railway Journey….

Hi ! I am very busy these days with the inflow of visiting guests in this tourist season here. It is the peak time for tourists in Kullu & Manali. People come here to get a relief from scorching heat of the Plains. Now temperature is also increasing here as today when I went out had a feeling of heat that was uncomfortable. It is the weather that I feel here these days….Now coming to the philatelic world…… Here are some awesome stamps issued by Australia Post featuring Great Australian Journey.The stamps are very fascinating and are one of the most beautiful stamps issued on Train…Just fantastic !. A journey in train is always very pleasant….This can be experienced from these stamps too….giving a picturesque view of the surrounding. I just love these stamps and wish to get them in my collection ! This is all for this Post……Till Next Post…Have a Nice Time !

Date of Issue – 7 May 2010

Four of Australia's most scenic railway trips are being celebrated by Australia Post with the launch of a new stamp issue titled Great Australian Railway Journeys.

This issue features three 55c stamps - The Ghan, the Indian Pacific, the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania and one $2.10 international stamp - Kuranda Scenic Railway in Queensland.

The issue includes a limited edition (10,000) prestige first day cover featuring the Indian Pacific stamp and a reproduction version of the 1917 invitation to the official opening of the Trans-Australian Railway. A prestige booklet comprising mixed blocks of four stamps, minisheet and postcards will also be available.

Max Cards

Courtesy – Australia Post