Matheran light Hill Railway

The Matheran light railway has an interesting history. Abdul Hussain, son of business tycoon, Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy, started the construction of Matheran railway. The construction of Matheran light railway was started in 1904 and the two feet gauge line finally opened to traffic in 1907.

Neral, the starting station of this line, falls nearly midway on the Mumbai-Pune route of the central railway. Starting from Neral, the narrow gauge two feet line runs parallel to the main broad gauge line leaving the road to the west of Hardal hill, then turning sharply east. The ascent commences and road and rail meet at the end of the third mile near Jummapatti station. They part company again to meet a mile further just beyond the steep slope of Bhekra Khud.

A narrow stretch of level ground terminates in the abrupt rise underlying Mount Barry. To avoid a reversion station, a large horseshoe embankment was constructed. Round this the line runs for a mile in the north direction till it turns back through the only tunnel on the route. One Kiss Tunnel gives a couple time just sufficient for a kiss!