Toy train may get back old steam charm
There are talks of putting a chimney on the train, which will give out puffs of steam and give the train its old-time feel.
Mumbai: You might be able to enjoy the sight of a Neral-Matheran Toy Train puffing away once again as the railways are planning to add a water steam-puffing chimney to the train.
The railway is also considering the option of using a coal-based steam train but as the area has been declared an ecologically sensitive zone, the coal-steam engine might not get the nod.
There are talks of putting a chimney on the train, which will give out puffs of steam and give the train its old-time feel.
An official said, “The train is powered by diesel and there have been talks of using coal to produce the steam. However, it may run into issues as it could damage the flora and fauna found in the area.”
The Toy Train that takes one from Neral to Matheran was partially re-started on October 31 after being shut for more than a year, due to three consecutive derailments.
The train is now plying between Aman Lodge and Matheran while the Neral-Matheran section is expected to start by March 2018. The Central Railways had made over '5 lakh in fare in the first weekend after the train was re-started in October.