TTT NEWS NETWORK
KURSEONG | 4 JULY 2026
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site, officially commemorated “Toy Train Day” today through a strategic cultural partnership with the North Bengal Painters Association.
To mark the occasion, DHR hosted an immersive heritage-themed painting competition and interactive art workshop for local youth at the historic Sukna Station, aimed at strengthening community ties and fostering heritage preservation awareness among the younger generation.
The joint initiative sought to blend regional artistic expression with the preservation of the railway’s historic legacy, transforming institutional spaces into platforms for youth engagement and creative development Community Centric Art Initiative at Sukna Station. The event commenced within the scenic premises of Sukna Station, where professional mentors from the North Bengal Painters Association conducted open-air masterclasses for the young participants.
Utilizing the historic station grounds as an open canvas, the competition encouraged students to visually interpret the intersection of industrial heritage, local biodiversity, and regional culture. The initiative provided an accessible platform for local children to connect directly with the region’s history, using fine arts as a medium to express their perspectives on the iconic narrow-gauge railway system. Adding to the day’s historical and educational value, a meticulous miniature replica of the iconic DHR Heritage Steam Engine was prominently displayed at the venue.
Crafted by renowned local artist Suman Roy, the detailed miniature served as both an exhibition center piece and a direct source of structural inspiration for the young painters, bridging the gap between mechanical engineering and fine art. The day’s proceedings concluded at Sukna Station with an official curation of the artwork. DHR management has reiterated its commitment to integrating community-centric cultural programming into its annual operational framework, ensuring the living heritage of the railway continues to inspire subsequent generations.
In a historic fiscal milestone, DHR recorded a massive revenue of ₹3.98 crore for the month of June 2026, marking a significant increase over the ₹3.25 crore generated during the exact same period last year. This remarkable back-to-back growth represents the highest consecutive revenue earnings in the history of the mountain railway since its inception, highlighting the global appeal and operational efficiency of the system under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
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