After 110 years, the Central Railway (CR) has shut down the 'bulb loop line' at Matheran yard which until 2016 was used to get the toy train back on the line. This loop line is shaped like a bulb where the toy train, after it terminates at Matheran, goes all the way till this yard and comes back on to the platform. The authorities will also resume the entire 21-km Neral-Matheran route from March 2018.
This has been the method which the CR had been using to operate the toy trains since 1907 when it was first introduced. This was the same year when the yard was also created. The decision was taken now in October when the CR resumed toy trains on the 2.7-km-long Aman Lodge-Matheran stretch.
"We have started push and pull engines for running the services. Now the old system of bulb loop line will be shut," said Sunil Udasi, Chief PRO, CR.
In push and pull method, there shall be six coaches with two engines fitted on either side. So there is no need for the train to use the bulb loop line that was operational till May 2016, when two back to back derailments occurred.
Presently, there are two locomotives and 24 coaches that are operational. One new engine is being manufactured at Parel workshop which will be ready by January next year; they don't have any engines on standby.
KNOW IT ALL
1907: Year the toy train started
Rs 18 crore: Cost of reviving the Neral-Matheran toy train
21 km: Length of the entire route
2.75 km: Current distance of Aman Lodge-Matheran that is operational
