Matheran’s “Queen” to Take a Break for a Month – Here’s How to Travel from Neral Now
Matheran’s “Queen” to Take a Break for a Month – Here’s How to Travel from Neral Now
Neral-Matheran mini-train to remain shut till October 15; shuttle and freight services to continue
The iconic “Queen of Matheran”, the mini toy train running on the Neral-Matheran narrow-gauge route, will take its annual monsoon break and remain suspended from June 1 to October 15 due to safety concerns. This seasonal suspension comes in the wake of landslides between Aman Lodge and Water Pipe station following heavy pre-monsoon rains in late May.
While the main toy train service will remain shut, the Aman Lodge–Matheran shuttle will continue running daily on its regular schedule to serve tourists and locals. The toy train, a key attraction in the hill station, is particularly vulnerable during the monsoon on this 21-kilometer stretch known for frequent landslides. The Central Railway has clarified that the track will undergo a safety inspection on October 15 before any passenger services are resumed.
In the interim, some services will continue with modifications:
- Every Saturday, an empty mini-train will leave Neral at 8:50 AM, convert to a shuttle at Matheran, and return with the remaining coaches at 2:45 PM.
- The freight mini-train will run daily (except weekends), departing Neral at 8:20 AM and returning before sunset.
Although the toy train’s suspension may disappoint many, the continued shuttle and freight operations aim to minimize disruption, especially during the tourist-heavy monsoon weekends. The Central Railway reiterated that passenger safety remains the top priority.
