rail · Ghum, Darjeeling
The railway museum at Ghum station
Ghum station marks the summit of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. From here the line drops north into Darjeeling and south through Sonada and Kurseong to the plains. The station building houses a museum laid out over a few rooms, showing how a 2-foot gauge railway was built and run in the mountains from 1881.
Displays include old tickets and ticket presses, lamps, uniforms, signalling equipment, engine parts and photographs of construction, landslides and royal visitors. Captions explain the loops and reverses that let trains climb so steeply. Outside on the platform, an old steam engine is kept on display.
Joyride passengers from Darjeeling get about half an hour here, enough for the museum and a cup of tea. If you come by road, ask at the station for entry; there is usually a small fee. Ghum is often foggy, so the museum makes a good stop whatever the weather. Check current status before you travel.
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Questions people ask
Good to know
Is the Ghum railway museum included in the joyride
Yes. DHR joyrides between Darjeeling and Ghum stop at Ghum station for about 30 minutes so passengers can visit the museum, and the joyride also stops at Batasia Loop. Arrangements change, so confirm when you book on IRCTC.
Can I visit the Ghum museum without taking the train
Yes. Ghum is about 7 km from Darjeeling by road. Walk into the station and ask for museum entry; there is usually a small fee. Opening hours follow the station's working day, so go in the morning.
Why is Ghum the highest railway station in India
At 2,258 m, Ghum is the summit of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which climbs from about 100 m at Siliguri. No other station on India's railway network sits higher, which is why it is a popular stop on every joyride.
