Darjeeling toy train's engine derail, crew safe

In yet another accident on the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway route, the engine of a toy train derailed and overturned near Sukhna station on its way from Siliguri to Kurseong on Friday afternoon. Fortunately, no passengers were injured in the incident as only the engine was affected.

The toy train had departed from New Jalpaiguri in the morning and was en route to Kurseong when the mishap occurred. According to railway officials, the train had just crossed Sukhna station when the engine suddenly lost control on a hilly curve and came off the tracks, flipping on its side.

Upon receiving the news, senior officials from the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway rushed to the scene. A crane was brought in to lift and reposition the derailed engine back onto the tracks. The restoration took a few hours, during which other train services in the region were minimally affected.

An investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the derailment. Preliminary reports suggest mechanical failure or track issues could be responsible. Railway authorities have assured that necessary safety checks will be reinforced to prevent such incidents in the future.

Notably, this is not the first time an accident has marred the Darjeeling toy train service. Just a few days ago, a tragic incident occurred when a student was fatally hit by a toy train. In another accident a few months back, a woman was dragged by the train due to not hearing it approach, leading to serious concerns over safety measures on the heritage route.

Despite being a major tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Darjeeling toy train route has faced repeated safety challenges, prompting calls for urgent modernization and better alert systems for both operators and the public.