Matheran mini train to resume on October 30 with two daily trips from Neral

The popular Matheran mini train is ready to welcome tourists again. Following a decision by Central Railway, the Neral-Matheran mini train service officially resumes on Friday, October 30. The service is suspended every year from June to October, a period of four to five months, for passenger safety during the monsoon. Tourists are said to be eager to enjoy the hill station again now that the rains have ended.

Under the new timetable, two regular trips will run daily between Neral and Matheran. Train No. 52103 from Neral to Matheran will leave at 8.50 am and reach Matheran at 11.30 am. The second train, No. 52105, will leave at 10.25 am and arrive at 1.05 pm.

On the return journey, Train No. 52104 from Matheran to Neral will depart at 2.45 pm and reach Neral at 5.30 pm. Train No. 52106 will leave at 4 pm and reach Neral at 6.40 pm.

The mini train on the Neral-Matheran route will have six coaches in all. These will be three second-class coaches, one Vistadome coach for viewing the scenery, and two second-class-cum-luggage coaches. The other train will have three second-class coaches, one first-class coach and two second-class-cum-luggage coaches.

The popular shuttle service between Aman Lodge and Matheran will also continue regularly, with six shuttle trips each way daily. From Aman Lodge, trains will leave at 8.45 am and 9.35 am, at 12 noon, 2.25 pm and 3.40 pm, and at 5.45 pm. From Matheran to Aman Lodge, trains will run at 8.20 am, 9.10 am and 11.35 am, at 2 pm and 3.15 pm, and at 5.20 pm.

Central Railway has made special arrangements for the heavy tourist rush on Saturdays and Sundays. On these weekend days, two additional special shuttle trips will run in each direction, so that tourists do not face any inconvenience.