TTT NEWS NETWORK
DARJEELING | 7 JANUARY 2026
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, today had the privilege of welcoming and felicitating Shri Seiya Sugawara, a distinguished railway enthusiast from Tokyo, Japan, on the occasion of his 36th visit to the iconic mountain railway.
Shri Sugawara first visited the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in 1971 and, over the decades, developed a deep and abiding affection for its heritage steam operations and narrow-gauge charm. Now 84 years old, his enduring passion for DHR stands as a remarkable testament to the railway’s global appeal and emotional connect with visitors from across the world.
On this occasion, Shri Sugawara was accompanied by six fellow Japanese visitors, all senior citizens and long-time admirers of heritage railways. A particularly fascinating aspect of their visit is their unique way of experiencing DHR operations: while they book on-demand steam services, they prefer not to travel aboard the train. Instead, they journey alongside the railway in their cars, stopping at various points to photograph and document the steam locomotive as it chugs through the hills, capturing the timeless beauty of the narrow-gauge line.
Today, Shri Sugawara and his companions were warmly received and felicitated at Elysia Place, the headquarters of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, in recognition of his extraordinary loyalty and distinction as one of DHR’s most frequent foreign visitors.
Although in good health, Shri Sugawara shared that, owing to his advancing age, this visit might be his last journey to Darjeeling. However, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and conveyed his hope and promise that he would make every effort to return once again.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway deeply values such lifelong associations and remains committed to preserving its heritage for generations of enthusiasts across the globe.
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