Siliguri Junction–Rangtong–Siliguri Evening Safari [1] was a narrow-gauge tourist special steam engine powered train in India that does a round trip between Siliguri Junction and Rangtong and back to Siliguri in the Indian state of West Bengal. The train belongs to the Northeast Frontier Railway zone of Indian Railways. The service was officially started from 31 August 2021 from Siliguri Junction.[2] [3] The train was cancelled in March 2022, due to poor occupancy and has not restarted since.[4]
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Tourist Train |
| Locale | West Bengal |
| First service | 31 August 2021 |
| Current operator(s) | Northeast Frontier Railways |
| Route | |
| Termini | Siliguri Junction 26°43′24″N 88°24′50″E / 26.7234°N 88.4138°E Siliguri Junction 26°43′24″N 88°24′50″E / 26.7234°N 88.4138°E |
| Stops | 05 |
| Distance travelled | 32.4 km (20 mi) |
| Average journey time | 3 hrs 03 mins |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 52556 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | First Class (FC) |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | No |
| Catering facilities | No |
| Baggage facilities | Available |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | ICF coach |
| Track gauge | 610 mm (2 ft) Narrow gauge |
| Operating speed | Avg. Speed – 10km/hr |
Route
editThe train starts its journey from Platform number 01 (narrow gauge) of Siliguri Junction at 14:45 and reaches Sukna at 15:20 after a ten-minute halt it continues its journey and reaches Rangtong at 16:20. For reverse direction, the train starts from Rangtong at 16:40 and reaches Sukna at 17:20. After a five-minute, halt it again travels from Sukna and reaches Siliguri Junction at 18:05. Through its journey through narrow gauge, the train passes through beautiful Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, tea gardens, hills, valleys, rivers etc. It provides once in a lifetime experience for the travellers in the steam engine powered train. The train runs entirely in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.[5]
Traction
editThe train is hauled by Steam Engine of Darjeeling Loco Shed for its entire journey.[citation needed]
Loco reversal
editThe train reverses its direction in Rangtong Railway station.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Siliguri Junction Rangtong Evening Safari".
- ^ "स्टीम जंगल टी सफारी के समय-सारणी में किया गया बदलाव".
- ^ "Railways introduces new jungle tea toy-train safari on Darjeeling Himalayan route". timesnownews.com.
- ^ "Siliguri Junction Rangtong Evening Safari".
- ^ "steam jungle tea safari' launched by NF railway gaining popularity amongst tourist". northeastindia24.com.