Scenic Ride Resumes: Matheran’s Iconic Toy Train Reconnects Hill Station With Neral

The iconic Matheran toy train, an 118-year old marvel in the Sahyadris, is now once again rolling back and forth its route since November 6, 2025, having ended its annual monsoon suspension that kept this heritage narrow-gauge dormant since early June. Renowned for its picturesque journey through forested sloped and steep curves, the toy train reconnects the popular hill station of Matheran in Maharashtra with the plains of Neral, giving travellers a wholesome dose of nostalgic glimpse of a train ride long cherished in the country.

Historical And Operational Overview

The 21-kilometre narrow-gauge line between Neral and Matheran, first opened in 1907, is one of India’s heritage mountain railways. It negotiates more than 236 sharp curves while ascending approximately 2,600 feet above sea level, winding through dense greenery and offering panoramic views of the Western Ghats. Typically suspended during the heavy monsoon months of Maharashtra that lasts from June to October to prevent track damage due to landslides and washouts, the train’s service ensures a sustainable, low-impact mode of transport in a vehicle-free eco-sensitive zone.

Train Services And Timetable

From November 6 onwards, two pairs of daily trains operate between Neral and Matheran. Here’s the detail of the fixture:

Down-trains (Neral to Matheran): Train 52103 departs Neral at 08:50 and arrives at Matheran at 11:30 daily; Train 52105 departs at 10:25 and arrives at 13:05.

Up-trains (Matheran to Neral): Train 52104 departs Matheran at 14:45 arriving Neral at 17:30; Train 52106 leaves at 16:00 arriving at 18:40.

Shuttle services between Aman Lodge and Matheran (a shorter link used during monsoon & local commute) will also operate daily, with additional services on weekends.

Coach composition varies with services: one service includes a Vistadome coach (with large windows) and the other includes a First-Class coach along with Second Class and luggage vans.

With six coaches per train, including a first-class coach, several second-class coaches, and at least one vistadome coach, the journey offers varying comfort options to passengers. The vistadome coach provides panoramic glass windows perfect for soaking in the lush surroundings.

Shuttle Services From Aman Lodge

During the monsoon suspension, shuttle services continued to operate between Aman Lodge—near the base of the hill station—and Matheran’s Dasturi Point. These shuttles run six times per weekday and eight times during weekends, facilitating essential transit where motor vehicles are banned and providing an economical option compared to rickshaws or horse rides. The station at Aman Lodge thus serves as a key terminus for visitors travelling to the hill station.

What to Expect On The Journey

Riding the toy train from Neral to Matheran is a timeless experience lasting around two and a half hours. Like with most other toy trains in India, passengers traverse steep gradients along narrow tracks with tight hairpin bends, vibrant forests, waterfalls, and the pristine atmosphere of the Western Ghats, all within the brief duration of a couple of hours. The sight of mist-clad hills, chirping birds, and fresh mountain air combine to create an enchanting journey through one of Maharashtra’s most famous eco-resorts.

For travellers, this ride offers more than just transport; it’s an immersion into history and nature, ideal for families, photography enthusiasts, and those seeking a nostalgic connection to India’s railway heritage. With the vehicle ban in Matheran, the toy train remains an essential and unique way to reach the hill station peacefully and sustainably, avoiding congestion and pollution. Visitors can expect comfortable coaches, friendly service, and unforgettable vistas en route.

(With inputs from various sources.)

FAQs

1. When did Matheran’s popular toy train resume services?
   The toy train service between Neral and Matheran resumed on November 6, 2025, following the annual monsoon suspension.

2. What is the duration of the toy train journey?
   The full journey from Neral to Matheran takes approximately two and a half hours, covering a scenic 21 km route through the Western Ghats.

3. How often do trains run daily?
   Two pairs of trains operate daily: morning departures from Neral at 8:50 am and 10:25 am, and return trips from Matheran at 2:45 pm and 4:00 pm.

4. Can I book tickets online for the toy train?
   Currently, tickets are only available at station counters at Neral and Aman Lodge; online booking is not yet offered.

5. What are the ticket fares and classes?
   First-class tickets cost around ₹300 for adults, second-class ₹75, and there is a vistadome coach with panoramic views available on certain trains.

6. Is the toy train operational year-round?
   No, the train typically suspends service during the monsoon season (June to October) due to safety concerns with heavy rainfall and landslides.