Saturday, March 21, 2009

The Matheran Light Railway, India








The Matheran Light Railway is one of the five mountain railways in India; relics of the British rule. It celebrated its centenary celebrations in 2007.

The western ghat hill station of Matheran was discovered by Mr. Hugh Malet, the Collector of Thane district in Maharashtra in India in 1910. Prior to the arrival of this train, tourist used to visit this hill station by palanquin or palki. This town is 30 km from Mumbai, 800 meters vertically above sea level.

The construction of this railway was proposed by one Abdul Hussein, son of the business tycoon, Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy of Mumbai, India in 1904 and completed in 1907. The government took over this in 1932. The train covers the 21-km long route in 2 hours. Neral, the starting station lies midway between Mumbai and Poona. This 2-feet narrow gauge line runs parallel to the main broad gauge

As the train puffs its way into the clear mountain air, exciting hills above and the plains below are clearly visible.

Source: Young World, March 10, 2009
Image: Google

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