Maharashtra: Matheran's popular toy train set to roll again from November 6

The heritage narrow gauge train between the popular Matheran hill station and Neral town in Raigad district near Mumbai is set to resume service from Thursday officials said reported news agency PTIAs a precautionary measure the train services between Neral and Matheran were suspended from June to October though the shuttle services between Aman Lodge near the hill stations entry post and Dasturi point continued to operate they saidMatheran a small hill station near Mumbai which attracts a large number of tourists receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season As the area has experienced landslides track damage and embankment washouts during past monsoons the narrowgauge train services are suspended as a precautionary measureThis year services on the 21km NeralMatheran narrow gauge line which passes through the picturesque ghat section were suspended from the first week of JuneThe services on the NeralMatheran narrow gauge corridor will resume from November 6 Four services two each from Neral and Matheran will be operated daily the Central Railway said in a release on Tuesday reported PTIThe first train for Matheran from Neral will depart at 850 am and reach its destination at 1130 am The second train will depart at 1025 am and reach Matheran at 105 pm From Matheran the trains will leave at 245 pm and 4 pm and reach Neral at 530 pm and 640 pm respectively it said reported PTIThe four services will be run with a total six coaches including three secondclass and two secondclass cum luggage vans The first services from either side will be run with one Vistadome coach and the second services with one firstclass coach the Central Railway saidAccording to the release six shuttle services will operate in both directions between Matheran and Aman Lodge from Monday to Friday and eight services on Saturdays and SundaysAman Lodge station is located near Dasturi Point beyond which motorised vehicles except ambulances are not allowed Therefore the shuttle services are beneficial for tourists and locals who would otherwise have to pay a high amount to rickshaw or horse owners to for transportation from Dasturi Point to other parts of the hill station reported PTIThe NeralMatheran Light Railway one of the few heritage mountain railways in India has completed 118 years with the first toy train service powered by a steam engine commencing in 1907The construction of the 21km NeralMatheran railway line began in 1904 and the twofoot gauge line was opened to traffic in 1907With inputs from PTI