The construction of this line is considered
a unique engineering feat because of the steep gradient, sharp
curves, Z - crossings, and loops incorporated in the line. There
is an interesting story on how the construction engineer of the
project suffered a major hitch once the line reached Tindharia
as the erosion in the hills made it nearly impossible to employ
a gradient within the limits of rail transport. The engineer was
almost on the verge of abandoning the project when his wife reportedly
said, "if you cannot go ahead lets go back". Back was the catch
behind the idea of a 'Z' - crossing where the train is first pushed
backward through an up gradient to reach a considerable height
before preceeding ahead and the line takes the shape of the letter
'Z'. There are 6 such 'Z' - reverses along the 87.48 km journey
from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. The line is laid more or less
on the same alignment as the Hill Cart Road, which criss-crosses
the line at 177 points.
There are three loops in the line, most famous being the Batasia
Loop between Ghoom and Darjeeling. Apart from these, the section
has five major and 498 minor bridges. Ghoom is the highest railway
station in the world to be reached by steam locomotive. The project
cost at that time was Rs. 52,000.
Loops :
Old
Loop No.1 built at the time of construction of DHR
wasw moved down hill in 1883 and was replaced by a new loop known
as No.1 since 1883. This loop at km 15/11 was sunk to a depth
of 12 metres in September 1991 and a separate alignment with regrading
was chosen eliminating it completely.
Loop No. 2 at Selim Hill was converted into a 'Z' reversing
station during World War II.
Loop No. 3 at Chunbhati km 23/14 between Rangtong and
Chunbhati station is popularly known as Loop No. 2, and technically
it is the first loop now. This loop is double circle.
Loop at
Agony Point km.32 was between Tindharia and Gayabari
stations existed and is popularly known as Loop No. 3, though
it is the second loop. A loop near Batasia, popularly known as
'Batasia Loop' is km.75/1. This loop was opened on 10th March,
1919. It is the most beautiful loop out of the existing three
loops. A war memorial has recently been built in the centre of
this loop and is a tourist site.
| 'Z' Reversing stations
: |
| Reverse No. |
Location (km from Siliguri) |
Between Stations |
A |
B |
C |
D |
| 1 |
19/6-13 |
Rangtong-Chunbhati |
61.87 |
58.22 |
500 |
27.78 |
| 1A |
24/6-13 |
Chunbhati-Tindharia |
54.00 |
52.00 |
500 |
27.50 |
| 2 |
25/13-26/3 |
Chunbhati-Tindharia |
67.67 |
63.40 |
285.70 |
11.50 |
| 3 |
31/1-5 |
Tindharia-Gayabari |
75.57 |
74.68 |
286.00 |
15.70 |
| 4 |
34/5-36/10 |
Tindharia-Gayabari |
76.20 |
76.20 |
285.00 |
14.50 |
| 5 |
36/5-36/10 |
Gayabari-Mahanadi |
74.70 |
73.78 |
74.07 |
17.50 |
For the dimensions A,B,C and D please refer the sketch given below,
dimentions are in metres.
