Riding on trains

One of our daughters lives and works in Nepal, and although I was aware that there had been a railway in Nepal I didn't realise that it still operates.  Well, "operates" is probably an overly optimistic description of this railway's activity!!  It runs from the border with India at Jaynagar via the 'headquarters' at Janakpur to Bijalpura- a total distance of 53km, and it is 2' 6" gauge.

A ticket that I bought on ebay, probably pre 1968

My daughter travels around Nepal a lot with her work, but I'm fairly sure she won't be going on this train any time soon!  We plan to visit sometime, and it'd certainly be fun to track down this railway and fossick around the workshops.  There are rumours that several steam locomotives remain there in unservicable condition.  On Google Earth (what a great tool!!) to the southeast of Janakpur there is a station called Khajuri including some engine sheds, and it is said that there are still some locos here, including the two Garratts from the abandoned Amlekhganj line.  

Here's a picture of one of the Garratts taken while it was still in service.

Apparently there is a 'plan' to create a tourist railway close to Kathmandu using these locos, but I doubt this has happened yet.

Will we go there?  Will we be able to get to these very out-of-the-way places?  Watch this space!!