The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) marked ‘Toy Train Day’ at the Sukna Railway Station in West Bengal, emphasizing heritage preservation and community engagement. Operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the DHR, known as the ‘Toy Train’, is a renowned mountain railway and a symbol of engineering heritage. The event united railway officials, locals, students, and heritage enthusiasts to raise awareness about conserving this historic narrow-gauge railway.
The celebration, in partnership with the North Bengal Painters Association, included a heritage-themed painting competition and an art workshop for children and young artists. NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, highlighted the initiative’s goal of inspiring the youth to value and safeguard the DHR’s legacy through artistic expression. The program transformed Sukna Railway Station into an art studio, where participants created artworks inspired by the railway and the region’s cultural heritage.
Participants had the opportunity to create art pieces reflecting their perspectives on the DHR, the natural surroundings, and the cultural richness of the area. The event featured a detailed miniature replica of the DHR Heritage Steam Engine crafted by local artist Suman Roy, serving as an educational exhibit and a source of inspiration. The celebration concluded with an exhibition of the participants’ artworks, reinforcing the DHR’s connection with local communities and the importance of preserving its heritage for future generations.
