Ghoom-Darjeeling toy train derails after hitting car on tracks

Darjeeling: Tourists enjoying the heritage steam ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway received a major scare when the train derailed after ramming into a car that had encroached on the tracks. The incident happened at Dali, around 4km from Darjeeling town.
A hatchback was damaged in the accident that took place at 1.40pm when the train was on its way back from Ghoom.A fire tender was rushed to the spot.
The owner of the car, who refused to disclose his name, was badly shaken but did not sustain any injury. “I was reversing the car when the toy train rushed down the tracks and rammed into the vehicle. I was stunned at what happened,” he said.
The meandering tracks often make it difficult to see the arrival of a train.
There are no warning systems either to alert motorists or pedestrians of an approaching train. However, accidents don’t usually happen because the driver constantly blows the horn and locals are careful around the time when the train plies.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway said they will lodge a complaint against the car owner with the local police.
The accident disrupted other train services during the day. The ride on the diesel engine returning from Ghoom and the long-distance ride from Siliguri to Darjeeling were held up and passengers on these trains were forced to make alternative arrangements to reach the town.
Two joy ride services (Darjeeling to Ghoom and back) and one each on steam (with 55 passengers) and diesel trains (with 66 passengers) at 4.20pm and 4.30pm were cancelled. The Darjeeling to Kurseong journey was also called off for the day.
DHR officials said passengers of the cancelled rides were refunded the fares and were requested to take the ride on Tuesday. “We will make necessary arrangements, including running a special service or even adding extra coaches to accommodate more passengers, on Tuesday,” an official said.