Neral – Matheran Toy Train

Neral – Matheran Toy Train Details

Central Railway’s Matheran Hill Railway is a narrow-gauge heritage railway in Maharashtra, India. A delight to the tourists and the route to the summer destination for Mumbaikar’s covers a distance of 21 km cutting a swathe through a forest in the Western Ghats from Neral to Matheran. The narrow-gauge railway line halts at three stations in between i.e. ✅ Jummapatti, Waterpipe, Aman Lodge and terminate at Matheran.

• Neral-Matheran Services Resume
• Matheran Hill Railway : An Introduction
• FAQs

Neral – Matheran Services Resume from 06.11.2024

Central Railway has announced the commencement of services on the Neral – Matheran Narrow Gauge line, effective from November 6, 2024. The schedule is as follows:

Neral – Matheran – Neral Mini Train Services

Neral – Matheran Down Trains

• Train No. 52103
  • Departure: Neral at 08:50 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 11:30 hrs (Operates Daily)

• Train No. 52105
  • Departure: Neral at 10:25 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 13:05 hrs (Operates Daily)

Matheran – Neral Up Trains

• Train No. 52104
  • Departure: Matheran at 14:45 hrs
  • Arrival: Neral at 17:30 hrs (Operates Daily)

• Train No. 52106
  • Departure: Matheran at 16:00 hrs
  • Arrival: Neral at 18:40 hrs (Operates Daily)

Coach Configuration for Train Nos. 52103/52104 and 52105/52106

• These trains will run with a total of 6 coaches, comprising:
  • 3 Second Class coaches
  • 1 First Class coach
  • 2 Second Class cum luggage vans

Aman Lodge – Matheran – Aman Lodge Daily Shuttle Services

Regular Matheran to Aman Lodge Shuttles (Daily)

• Train No. 52154
  • Departure: Matheran at 08:20 hrs
  • Arrival: Aman Lodge at 08:38 hrs

• Train No. 52156
  • Departure: Matheran at 09:10 hrs
  • Arrival: Aman Lodge at 09:28 hrs

• Train No. 52158
  • Departure: Matheran at 11:35 hrs
  • Arrival: Aman Lodge at 11:53 hrs

• Train No. 52160
  • Departure: Matheran at 14:00 hrs
  • Arrival: Aman Lodge at 14:18 hrs

• Train No. 52162
  • Departure: Matheran at 15:15 hrs
  • Arrival: Aman Lodge at 15:33 hrs

• Train No. 52164
  • Departure: Matheran at 17:20 hrs
  • Arrival: Aman Lodge at 17:38 hrs

Additional Special Services on Saturdays and Sundays

• Special-2
  • Departure: Matheran at 10:05 hrs
  • Arrival: Aman Lodge at 10:23 hrs

• Special-4
  • Departure: Matheran at 13:10 hrs
  • Arrival: Aman Lodge at 13:28 hrs

Aman Lodge – Matheran Daily Shuttle Services

Regular Aman Lodge to Matheran Shuttles (Daily)

• Train No. 52153
  • Departure: Aman Lodge at 08:45 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 09:03 hrs

• Train No. 52155
  • Departure: Aman Lodge at 09:35 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 09:53 hrs

• Train No. 52157
  • Departure: Aman Lodge at 12:00 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 12:18 hrs

• Train No. 52159
  • Departure: Aman Lodge at 14:25 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 14:43 hrs

• Train No. 52161
  • Departure: Aman Lodge at 15:40 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 15:58 hrs

• Train No. 52163
  • Departure: Aman Lodge at 17:45 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 18:03 hrs

Additional Special Services on Saturdays and Sundays

• Special-1
  • Departure: Aman Lodge at 10:30 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 10:48 hrs

• Special-3
  • Departure: Aman Lodge at 13:35 hrs
  • Arrival: Matheran at 13:53 hrs

All shuttle services will run with 3 second class, o­ne first class coach and 2 second class cum luggage vans.

Matheran Hill Railway : An Introduction

The Matheran Hill Railway covers a distance of ✅20 kilometers (12 mi) between Neral and Matheran in the Western Ghats. The construction of the Matheran Hill Railway was led by Abdul Peerbhoy and was financed by his father, Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy of the Adamjee Group. The route was designed in 1900, with construction beginning in 1904 and completed in 1907. The original tracks were built using 30 pounds per yard rails but were later updated with heavier 42 pounds per yard rails. Until the 1980s, the railway was closed during monsoon season due to the increased risk of landslides, but it is now kept open throughout the year. The line is administered by Central Railways.

A ✅unique feature of the line is its horseshoe embankments. Notable features of the route include Neral Station, the first on the route; the Herbal Hill section; the steep grade of Bhekra Khud; the One Kiss Tunnel (the only tunnel on the route, it earned its nickname because the tunnel is just long enough to exchange a kiss with one’s partner); a water pipe station, which is no longer in operation; Mountain Berry, which features two sharp zigzags; Panorama Point; and finally, the end of the route at Matheran Bazaar. The broad-gauge railroad between Mumbai and Pune runs near the Matheran Hill Railway, and the two tracks cross each other at two locations. The ruling gradient for the railroad is 1:20 (5%) and tight curves require train speeds to be limited to 20 kilometres per hour (12 mph).

✅ How to Reach:-

• Via Train
  • Railway Line – 21 km – long
  • Journey Time – 2 hours, 30 minutes
• Via Road
  • Road 8 km – long
  • Journey Time – 20 minutes

Summary of Neral – Matheran Narrow Gauge Section

After an unprecedented rainfall and damages at more than 20 locations o­n Neral-Matheran section in the year 2019, Central Railway have undertaken several infrastructural works to improve the track and ride in the section. Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, General Manager, Central Railway inspected the section o­n 20.10.2022 and reviewed the various works carried out o­n the section.

The daunting task of moving the required sleepers and other material for strengthening the track were overcome by Central Railway despite the difficult terrain due to a hill o­n o­ne side and deep valley o­n the other side of the track. Central Railway team worked overnight and in shifts and strengthened the embankment by providing retaining wall, gabion protection and grouting of stone pitching beneath the track, provision of anti-crash barrier along the track, provision of side drains so as to divert rain water, provision of additional box bridges and pipe bridges.

The Restoration work

The existing sleepers which were of steel type were replaced by concrete sleepers. So far 14 km of old steel sleepers have been replaced by concrete sleepers out of the 20 Km line. 30 new bridges have been constructed besides strengthening of existing bridges and 2 km of side drain have been constructed which will now help in channelizing the flow of rainwater instead of allowing it to flow over the track. Further, at vulnerable locations of deep valleys 3000 cubic meters of gabion wall and 90 meter of retaining wall were constructed. 2.2 km of Anti-crash barrier has been constructed at vulnerable locations. Provision of guard rails for a length of 1 km at deep valley locations have been completed and work is in progress in the remaining 690 meter length.

The Future

The Central Railway is in dialogue with ICF for a new design DEMU type self- propelled train for the NG section. Planning is also being thought out about booking a saloon o­n this section. CR is also planning to get a new design of coaches with modified DHM(Darjeeling Himalayan Railway) trolley and draft gear arrangements for better ride in the section.

The Background

Matheran, discovered by Hugh Mallet, Collector of Thane district, in 1850, has since been a nature lovers’ delight. Matheran meaning ‘Jungle o­n Top’ is an undulating hilltop cloaked in shady trees, sprawling languidly at an altitude of 800 m. The journey involves an adventurous two-hour ascent in a narrow gauge train, with food vendors and monkeys jumping o­n and off as the valley glides by sedately.

The railway construction started in 1904 and the two feet gauge line finally opened to traffic in 1907. Two steam locomotives built by Orenstein and Koppel (O and K), Germany with 0-6-0 T design and o­ne Darjeeling class ‘A’ 0-4-0 ST engine were used. In 1955 three diesel locomotives were purchased. The rails used were 30 lb flat footed steel o­n half round Burmese teakwood and other wooden sleepers fully ballasted with broken stone. These rails have been replaced by heavier 42 lb to a yard and later . The topography was selected to avoid tunnels except for a small o­ne. In 2012, eight coaches with modern amenities and large look-out glasses o­n sides and o­n top were inducted in service.

Neral, the starting station of this line is 86 km o­n Mumbai-Pune route of Central Railway. The narrow gauge two feet line has three stations namely Jumapatti (5 km), Waterpipe (11 km), and Aman Lodge (18 km) ending at Matheran (20 km). The railway is 20 km long and has a gauge of o­nly two feet with a ruling gradient of 1 in 20.

October to May is the best time to visit Matheran. Temperatures vary from 16oC in winter to 32oC in summer, with an annual rainfall of 524 cm. As a precautionary measure, the line used to be closed during the monsoons but o­ne service runs to open timings. However, shuttle services between Aman Lodge and Matheran were introduced from 29.9.2012, to run even in monsoon. As a commemoration, a MLR loco no.741 has been installed o­n a pedestal at Matheran station.

Matheran has many “lookout points” that provide dramatic views of the Western Ghats and lush plains dotted with villages far below. These include Panorama Point (with the most spectacular views, it’s a popular place to watch the sun rise), Monkey Point, Porcupine Point (popular for sunset view), Louisa Point, Echo Point, Rambagh Point, Alexander Point, Hart Point, Coronation Point, Chowk Point and the o­ne Tree Hill.

Jummapatti, Waterpipe, Aman Lodge and Matheran are provided with a solar power plant of capacity 500-1000 Wp and Wind Mill capacity 6.1 KWp at Matheran including energy efficient LED lights and Fans in 2018.

To improve the visibility of scenic beauty of Matheran Hills for tourists, Kurduwadi workshop developed a Vistadome coach in-house with a view to provide a delightful travelling experience to passengers in 2019.

FAQs

✅ Is Toy Train Available in Matheran?

2 toy trains runs between Neral station and Matheran, About 9 train services between Matheran and Aman Lodge.

✅ Can I book Matheran toy train tickets online?

No, Online booking service is not available for Neral – Matheran Toy trains, only offline booking is possible.

✅ How do I travel from Neral to Matheran?

• Road :- From Neral you will have to go to Matheran by road, which is a 30-minute journey.
• Trains :-
  • Many Local trains on the Mumbai-Karjat route stop at Neral.
  • Another way to reach Matheran is to catch the Toy Train that departs from Neral. The beautiful journey takes about 2 hours

✅ What is best time to visit Matheran?

The best time to visit is between October and May. But the best month to visit is October to November, this is when the monsoon has just retreated and the temperature is cool and perfect for sightseeing.

✅How far is Neral from Matheran?

The travel distance between Neral to Matheran is 7 KM and 815 meters.

✅Can I take my car to Matheran?

Cars / bike are not allowed within Matheran. After Matheran entry point no vehicles are allowed as per UNESCO.

✅ Which is the best travel mode to reach Matheran?

You can drive up and park your car at Dasturi car point, or take the newly introduced mini bus shuttle from Karjat or Neral railway stations upto Dasturi. From Dasturi you must take a 40 minute horse ridding or cart ridding to Matheran market as well as in sightseeing you can also take both rides.

✅ How do I get to Matheran by bus?

There are frequent State Transport and private buses plying to Matheran from Pune, Panvel and Mumbai. MSRTC provides ordinary and deluxe buses. The buses will stop 2.5 kms from city as Matheran is a no vehicle zone. You can reach the destination by taking rickshaw, horseback or on foot.

✅What is the travel time from Panvel To Matheran?

Panvel is located around 17 KM away from Matheran so if you travel at the consistent speed of 50 KM per hour you can reach Matheran in 0 hours and 47 minutes. Your Matheran travel time may vary due to your bus speed, train speed or depending upon the vehicle you use.

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