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World's Greatest Train Travel: Ain't No Mountain High Enough

September 11, 2008 at 3:00 PM | 0 Comments

This week, we're mapping some of the world's greatest train trips.

The Darjeeling Himalayan "Toy Train" may not look like much. But the haunting wail of this still-operating steam train echoes across some magnificent vistas en route to Siliguri-New Jalpaiguri, major transfer cities between India's state of West Bengal and its neighbors Nepal and Bangladesh.

The narrow-gauge route has weathered earthquakes and cyclones to garner the designation of UNESCO World Heritage Area along its 53 miles of track. Expect the trip to take seven to nine hours with frequent interruptions between the 800-plus bridges the train crosses en route; buy fragrant snacks on board or wait for a cup of extra-strong chai at one of the through stations.

Related Stories:
· An Indian-Born Man Reminisces About His Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Travels [IndiaTravelogue.com]
· Movie Set Travel: The Darjeeling Limited [Jaunted
· Rail Travel: Toy Train to Shimla [Telegraph]
· World's Best Train Trips coverage [Jaunted]