Nagpur: The beloved Vanbala toy train, once the heartbeat of Seminary Hills’ Balodyan and a cherished childhood memory for generations of Nagpurians, has once again come to a screeching halt, barely two years after its much-celebrated relaunch.
The 45-year-old train, hailed as the pride of Nagpur’s territorial forest division, stopped running after its ageing tracks suffered fresh damage, exposing the frail condition of the toy train system that has faced repeated breakdowns over the decades.
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17 Oct 2025
According to sources, the miniature train, which resumed operations in December 2023 after a seven-year gap, now faces an uncertain future. “The age-old tracks require extensive maintenance, and we plan to conduct a joint inspection with Central Railways within a week or two,” confirmed Dr. Vinita Vyas, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Territorial), Nagpur. “If track replacement is necessary, we will seek Central Railway’s technical help immediately,” she added.
Ironically, Vanbala was revived in 2023 with much fanfare, in the presence of the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Central Railway, after remaining idle since 2016. The revival project, backed by the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC), cost around Rs 1.20 crore, including the addition of adventure sports facilities and station renovation by the Public Works Department.
Officials had even proposed replacing 1.9 km of tracks and sleepers, but the plan never materialized. As a result, the train, which covers a 2.5 km circuit through lush green forest patches, has once again been forced to halt operations due to technical faults.
The Vanbala’s legacy dates back to December 1978, when it was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Sharad Pawar. Over the decades, the little engine has seen numerous shutdowns and restarts, a cycle of neglect, repair, and nostalgia-driven revival that continues to this day.
As the toy train lies silent once more, disappointed visitors and nostalgic locals are left wondering whether this time the Forest Department will truly bring Vanbala back on track, for good.
