Φωτογραφίες

This is the second in a series of five photos that I took when I travelled on the sensational, narrow gauge steam train that operates between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in north-eastern India. To see the first photo in the series click here.

The tracks for this little train are only 0.6m (2ft) apart which is why it has earned the nickname "The Toy Train".

The toy train was the brainchild of an East Bengal railway agent called Franklyn Prestage and promised to open access to the cool hills from the sweltering humidity of the Kolkata plains in the summer. Following the line of an earlier steam tramway, the name was changed to the 'Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Company' in 1881.

It is an absolutely stunning achievement, winding its way up the hillside, often with brilliant views over the plains, and covering the 82km (50 miles) with some very steep gradients in areas.

At Ghoom, it reaches a height of 2,438m making it the highest railway station in India and, I believe, the 2nd highest in the world. Cusco, in Peru, has the world's highest railway station. From Ghoom, the train then descends 305m into Darjeeling.

The DHR has been upgraded in recent years to full 'World Heritage Site' status and has newly refurbished carriages with cushioned seats and window curtains. I'd say it an absolute must-see for train buffs, and certainly one of the most rewarding train journey's I've ever taken.

PP Details: Full frame shot, no cropping; Minimal brightness/contrast correction; Black frame added.

Regards,

Rich

I apologised in my last photo for not writing many critiques this last week because I was busy. I can now reveal that the reason I was busy is because I got married last week!

Thanks to everyone who has written a critique for one or more of my photos recently. I will try and catch up this week!