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Travel
Matheran’s 21‑km Railway: A Hand‑Built Heritage Trail Through Steep Hills
✍️ TOI City
🗓 12 Sep 2026, 04:43 PM
👁 13
Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy’s 21‑km narrow‑gauge line from Neral to Matheran, built by hand in the early 1900s, operated with German steam engines until 1982 and now serves as a popular heritage attraction.
The narrow‑gauge line that links Neral to the hill station of Matheran spans 21 kilometres and was laid down in the early 1900s by Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy.
Work was carried out entirely by hand, with workers carving the track through steep slopes and rocky terrain, a feat that earned the railway a reputation for engineering daring.
From 1907 the line was powered by four German steam locomotives that hauled passenger carriages until the service was discontinued in 1982.
Today the track remains in operation as a heritage attraction, drawing tourists who enjoy the scenic ride and the historic ambience of the old steam engines.
Work was carried out entirely by hand, with workers carving the track through steep slopes and rocky terrain, a feat that earned the railway a reputation for engineering daring.
From 1907 the line was powered by four German steam locomotives that hauled passenger carriages until the service was discontinued in 1982.
Today the track remains in operation as a heritage attraction, drawing tourists who enjoy the scenic ride and the historic ambience of the old steam engines.