RailEnquiry

MUMBAI: In a first during the monsoon, Central Railway (CR) will start the toy train service on the 3-km Aman Lodge-Matheran station stretch from September 29.Chetan Bakshi, commissioner of railway safety (Central circle) granted the clearance for 10 services (5 each in Up and Down directions) on Thursday. A total of 10 services will run between the two destinations (5 each in Up and down direction)Every year, the service remains suspended for four months between mid-June and mid-October during monsoon for safety reason.CR general manager Subodh Jain took special interest in introducing the service during monsoon. The train will run for the first time in monsoon in the 106-year old existence of Matheran Light Rail (MLR)"The commencement of the service during monsoon will be a boon for the economy of the tiny hill station ," a senior official said. "People will be able to ferry provisions by train from Aman Lodge that is near Dasturi Naka, the last motorable point before entering Matheran. It will be a boon for tourists, especially senior citizens," he added.The 8-coach train will have 2 first class, 4 second class coach and 1 SLR and 1 LR.According to officials, the train will run at a speed of 10 kmph from Matheran station to Aman Lodge and 12 kmph on its return journey. It will take 12 minutes for the rake to cover the distance between these two points.It takes over 30 minutes to cover the distance on foot. "The coaches arespecially designed to resist pressure from the rear-end engine," an official said.Every year, the service remains suspended between mid-June and mid-October. "Although the monsoon is on the retreat and there is only a fortnight left for the regular service to resume, the development still assumes significance," an official said.