Soon, more toy train services between Neral, Matheran

CR to also increase number of coaches for weekend rush

Central Railway (CR) will soon introduce additional toy train services between Neral and Matheran. At present, two services run on the entire stretch, one from Neral and one from Matheran, while the rest run as shuttle services between Neral and Aman Lodge.

“We are also planning to increase the number of coaches from six to eight,” S.K. Jain, divisional railway manager, Mumbai, CR, said. Senior railway officials said the extra locomotives required are being modified to suit the hilly conditions. To negotiate the terrain, CR plans to have an engine on each end of the train.

A team from the Research Designs and Standard Organisation had conducted trials with eight coaches in September and given an in-principle approval. Sources said a sanction from the Commissioner of Railway Safety is required.

AC coaches likely

“There has been a long standing demand for more end-to-end services and coaches, especially to deal with the weekend rush,” a senior railway official said.

CR also plans to introduce air-conditioned coaches, but officials said this can’t be done till the pricing is decided. CR has also hired a contractor for platform works at Aman Lodge and appointed a team from JJ School of Art as consultants for heritage preservation and restoration of the stations and buildings.

The efforts are a part of the initiative to revive the route and apply for a World Heritage status, as has been granted to hill station train routes at Darjeeling and Kalka-Shimla. CR is also working with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation to create packages to promote tourism.