Siliguri Town Railway Station is the oldest railway station in Siliguri — a historic landmark that opened on 23 August 1880. For decades, it served as the starting point for trains from Kolkata and the world-famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), also known as the Toy Train. Today, the station carries the unique distinction of being one of the very few railway stations in India to have all three gauges — Narrow, Meter, and Broad — on its tracks.
History of Siliguri Town Railway Station
Opened in 1880, Siliguri Town Railway Station was established during the British era as the primary rail gateway to Darjeeling and the surrounding hills. It was from this station that the legendary Darjeeling Himalayan Railway — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — first began its journey up into the mountains.
For years, the station served as the main rail connection for the entire region. However, in the post-partition era following 1947, Siliguri Town Railway Station gradually lost its prominence, first to Siliguri Junction, and then to New Jalpaiguri (NJP), which eventually became the dominant rail hub of North Bengal.
A Heritage Station with Three Gauges
What makes Siliguri Town Station extraordinary from a railway heritage perspective is its retention of all three track gauges — Narrow (for the DHR), Meter, and Broad. This is believed to be unique in India, a living museum of railway engineering history that reflects the layered development of rail infrastructure in North Bengal over 140-plus years.
