The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, no. 7406570. Registered office: Lime Tree Lodge, Thorpe Road, Mattersley, Doncaster, DN10 5ED
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Welcome to the DHRS
To promote awareness of, interest in and support for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
New Google Arts & Culture page with stories about DHRS
Railway Enthusiasts Society (India) Zoom Conference
7-8 March 2026
Our principal partner in India, The Rail Enthusiasts' Society is conducting its 6th International Conference on the theme: Rail Trails - Tales of Iconic Trains, on the 7th and 8th of March. The conference Brochure details the schedule, the speakers and their topics. (Note that conference timings are shown as IST and will need converting to GMT).
Of especial interest will be the DHR presentation on the Sunday morning by David Charlesworth entitled ‘Toy Train to the Clouds’.
Download the Brochure for the conference here
It is necessary to register in advance for the conference. While registration is free, it is mandatory and the conference link will be sent only to those who register. The registration link is:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQ0S4lVX6wdfHRIov0VaWG0K2rgqi0uRCdokaz2aV23NcaCQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Sir Mark Tully KBE 1935-2026
It is with deepest regret that we have heard of the death in hospital in New Delhi of Mark Tully.
He had been our Patron for over 20 years and was a constant and invaluable source of support, advice,
and wise counsel.
Our most sincere condolences go to his family and loved ones.
See the full tribute in the ‘Darjeeling Mail’.
David Mead, Chairman
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society
(see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgjw0w0qq4wo)
Proposed DHR Freight Train Charter Tour
DHRS Member Dan Holbrook hopes to arrange a one-week tour in late May and seeks expressions of interest. Although freight charters were briefly revived in late 2016 (after persistent lobbying by DHRS) they are now a very rare event.
The tour, supported by Partha Roy at The Cindrella, Siliguri, would include a steam-hauled dining train, three days of a steam-hauled freight train from Siliguri to Darjeeling, tours of Tindharia Works and hotels for six nights in Siliguri, Kurseong and Darjeeling.
Cost would be approximately £1,600 (ex Bagdogra Airport with tour members arranging their own independent air travel to/from Bagdogra).
Enquiries and expressions of interest should be sent to Dan Holbrook at holbrookrer@outlook.com or 07939 514070 by no later than 20 March 2026.
Photo Credit – Anurag Lakandri
The DHRS AGM
is booked for
Saturday
9th May 2026
usual venue
see details in the February Darjeeling Mail
Dear 19B supporter
We said we would provide (at least) an annual opportunity to come and see the engine. You will know that the new boiler is currently under construction in the Ffestiniog Railway’s Boston Lodge Works whilst the chassis remains at Statfold. As the boiler is pretty much the story of the moment, we thought a visit there would create most interest.
Over the weekend of Saturday 11th April and Sunday 12th April
we have arranged with the Ffestiniog Railway, Porthmadog , the opportunity to ride Welsh Highland Line and the Ffestiniog Line.
The highlight is to see The Boston Lodge Works and view progress on the new boiler for our 19B locomotive.
As it is a fair way for most of us to travel to Porthmadog, it would be a shame to visit the TLC (top left-hand corner) of Wales without having a train ride or two, we have made a weekend of it, with the opportunity to take return journeys on both the Ffestiniog Railway (Porthmadog to Blaenau) and the Welsh Highland Railway Porthmadog to Caernarfon) at discounted rates. There is also the opportunity to visit Boston Lodge to see the new boiler under construction, and we hope we’ll be able to answer all your questions!
Please continue reading on here :- Boiler Visit
Details of second hand books that the society has for sale, see here
