U3A Public Talk: Major (Ret’d) Paul Whittle TD – Toy Train to the Clouds: Calcutta, Darjeeling and its World Heritage Railway

In the days of the British ‘Raj’ the hill station of Darjeeling, some 7,000ft in the Himalayas, provided cooling relief and fond reminders of home. In 1881 the local economy now known for the world-famous tea brand, was transformed by the opening of the 55 mile narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) which in 1999 was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO. Starting in the vibrant city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) we travel along the DHR amidst tea gardens and stunning mountain scenery to explore Darjeeling, it’s old colonial buildings, gardens and the surrounding area.

Monthly talk and refreshments: doors open 2:00 pm; refreshments served until 2.20pm; talk starts at 2.30pm