Matheran's century-old loco awaits trial run

The first of the four original steam locomotives built more than a century ago in 1907, which was first run on this line, is being revived and waiting for trial runs.

“The loco is being fixed at Neral loco shed and is waiting for trial runs. Another steam engine has been brought from Darjeeling for steam runs to cater to demands of tourists,” said an official at the shed.

There were four novel steam locomotives that the Adamjee Peerbhoy family, who built the line, had bought specially for the mountainous stretch of the railway from Orienstein & Koppel, Germany. These were specially made for the narrow curves and steep climbs of the Matheran hills.

All the original four engines — MLR 738, MLR 739, MLR 740 and MLR 741 — survive today.

The oldest loco, MLR 738, is being revived for steam runs, MLR 739 is at National Railway Museum, New Delhi, MLR 740 is in a UK museum while MLR 741 is kept outside Matheran station.

The Matheran railway is 19.97 km long there are 221 curves on the stretch.

When the blasting of rocks on the hillside started for building the line, hundreds of snakes came out of their holes.

Workers refused to work. An offer of Re1 for killing a snake was announced as an incentive to begin work on the rail line.