Matheran Light Railway

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.

Steam Train on Last Run

The railway construction started in 1904 and the two feet gauge line finally opened to traffic in 1907. Two steam locomotives built by Orenstein & Koppel (O&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 of 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 These rails have been replaced by heavier 42 lb to a yard. 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 have been inducted in service. These will enhance the quality of ride and will also enable passengers to experience the natural beauty of the area in a more intimate fashion.

Neral, the starting station of this line is 87 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 (21 km). The railway is 21 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 16^oC in winter to 32^oC 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 which 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-Aman Lodge Shuttle Service

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.

****