Siliguri Junction–Rangtong–Siliguri Evening Safari

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]

Siliguri Junction–Rangtong–Siliguri Evening Safari
Overview
Service typeTourist Train
LocaleWest Bengal
First service31 August 2021
Current operator(s)Northeast Frontier Railways
Route
TerminiSiliguri Junction
26°43′24″N 88°24′50″E / 26.7234°N 88.4138°E / 26.7234; 88.4138 (Siliguri Junction station)
Siliguri Junction
26°43′24″N 88°24′50″E / 26.7234°N 88.4138°E / 26.7234; 88.4138 (Siliguri Junction station)
Stops05
Distance travelled32.4 km (20 mi)
Average journey time3 hrs 03 mins
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)52556
On-board services
Class(es)First Class (FC)
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsNo
Catering facilitiesNo
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Technical
Rolling stockICF coach
Track gauge610 mm (2 ft)
Narrow gauge
Operating speedAvg. Speed – 10km/hr

Route

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The 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

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The train is hauled by Steam Engine of Darjeeling Loco Shed for its entire journey.[citation needed]

Loco reversal

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The train reverses its direction in Rangtong Railway station.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Siliguri Junction Rangtong Evening Safari".
  2. ^ "स्टीम जंगल टी सफारी के समय-सारणी में किया गया बदलाव".
  3. ^ "Railways introduces new jungle tea toy-train safari on Darjeeling Himalayan route". timesnownews.com.
  4. ^ "Siliguri Junction Rangtong Evening Safari".
  5. ^ "steam jungle tea safari' launched by NF railway gaining popularity amongst tourist". northeastindia24.com.