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Yolmo, a veteran of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), has now officially taken charge of the Tour Duty.
Yolmo serves as a TTE stationed at New Jalpaiguri. (Photo Credit: X)
In a historic milestone, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has appointed its first-ever woman Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) in nearly 145 years. Sarita Yolmo has made history as the first woman TTE to be assigned the prestigious “Tour Duty” on this world-heritage site railway.
A veteran of the Northeast Frontier Railway, she began her duties on the New Jalpaiguri (NJP), marking a major milestone for gender representation on the iconic Toy Train.
A Major Milestone
Nearly 145 years after starting its services, the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has reached this milestone. For the very first time, a woman has been chosen to take on the prestigious role of Travelling Ticket Examiner, breaking a century-and-a-half-old tradition and adding a proud new chapter to the history of this iconic world-heritage railway.
Yolmo, a veteran of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), has now officially taken charge of the “Tour Duty” in the New Jalpaiguri (NJP). She started her career at the Railway Press, where she served with dedication until the facility eventually closed. Proving her resilience, she turned that transition into a fresh start by moving into the commercial department, where she now serves as a TTE stationed at New Jalpaiguri (NJP).
While she manages her regular duties at New Jalpaiguri, Yolmo now steps into this historic role as she occasionally directs her expertise to Tour Duty for the DHR.
Beyond a mere professional assignment, Yolmo’s presence on the iconic Toy Train marks a historic leap for gender equality, showcasing the growing role of women in the technical and field operations in Railways.
Proud Moment For The Railways
As per the Northeast Frontier Railway CPRO, “The tracks of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) are witnessing a historic milestone as Sarita Yolmo takes on the mantle of the first woman Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) assigned to the prestigious ‘Tour Duty’ on the world-heritage site railway.”
About Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), popularly known as the Toy Train, is a historic narrow-gauge railway line that runs 78 kilometres between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, cutting across steep and mountainous terrain. Built between 1879 and 1881, the railway ascends from roughly 100 metres above sea level in the plains to more than 2,200 metres in the hills, ingeniously navigating sharp gradients through a series of loops and zigzags.
In 1999, the DHR earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becoming the first hill railway in India and the first industrial heritage site in Asia to receive the honour. It is now part of the prestigious Mountain Railways of India grouping, alongside the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka–Shimla Railway.
Delhi, India, India
February 16, 2026, 19:22 IST
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