Title - RAIL NEWS CENTER: Decision to run toy train service in monsoon expected soon

MUMBAI : A final decision to run the popular toy train service between Matheran and Aman Lodge stretch during this monsoon is expected next week. The commissioner of railway safety (CRS), Central Circle will inspect the stretch on which the trial run of the service were successfully carried out a few days ago.

The reports and readings of the trials were submitted to CRS soon after the trials were carried on Aug 10 and 11. Chetan Bakshi, CRS will personally visit the stretch next week to convince himself about the safety and feasibility of running this service during monsoon.  A senior CR official said, "We have made all the necessary preparations to run the service at short notice."

 Every year, toy train services are suspended from mid-June to October during the monsoon. If approved, the toy train will run for the first time in monsoon since the service started.

 The suspension of service during monsoon has an adverse impact on the economy of tiny hill stations, where motor vehicles are banned.

 CR general manager Subodh Jain was keen to undertake controllability trails to ascertain if the service can run on the 3 km stretch between Matheran and Aman Lodge- the last motorable point from Neral.

 A total of 16 trials were conducted, including 4 with train plus passenger coaches and 6 light engine combinations were conducted on the basis of approval by CRS.

 CR officials have declared that the trails were successful, thus giving hope to tourist to travel in toy train during the monsoon period.

 The trials were done to establish safe, optimum combination of number of coaches, locomotive and speed of the train plying on this section in future.