Deccan Queen Enters 96th Year of Iconic Pune–Mumbai Service on June 1, 2025
Pune, 31st May 2025: The prestigious Deccan Queen Express, which connects Pune and Mumbai, will enter its 96th year of continuous service on June 1, 2025, completing an extraordinary 95 years of uninterrupted operations. Launched on June 1, 1930, the Deccan Queen is one of the oldest and most iconic trains operated by Central Railway, originally introduced by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR).
A Historic Milestone in Maharashtra’s Rail Network
Introduced as the first deluxe train between the two major cities of Maharashtra, Pune and Mumbai, the Deccan Queen was aptly named “Dakkhan ki Rani” (Queen of the Deccan). It marked a significant advancement in luxury rail travel and played a pivotal role in regional connectivity.
Journey and Coach Evolution
Initial Setup (1930): Launched with two rakes of 7 coaches each—one painted in silver with scarlet mouldings and the other in royal blue with gold lines.
Coach Construction: The underframes were built in England, while coach bodies were constructed at Matunga Workshop, Mumbai.
1966: Original rakes replaced by anti-telescopic steel-bodied integral coaches built at Integral Coach Factory, Perambur, increasing capacity to 12 coaches.
1995: Replaced with air brake rakes.
2021: Introduction of a Vistadome coach on August 15, 2021, offering panoramic views of the Western Ghats.
2022: Full upgrade to LHB coaches under Project Utkrisht, featuring modern amenities such as LED lighting, bio-toilets, Braille signage, and improved passenger comfort.
Current Composition of Deccan Queen Express
As of 2025, the Deccan Queen runs with 16 coaches, comprising:
3 AC Chair Car
9 Second Class Chair Car
1 Vistadome Coach
1 Dining Car (unique to this train)
1 General Second Class cum Guard’s Brake Van
1 Generator Car
Notable Firsts in Indian Railways
The Deccan Queen holds several firsts in Indian railway history:
First use of roller bearings in coaches.
First train to introduce self-generating coaches with 110V electrical systems.
First to introduce First and Second Class Chair Cars.
India’s Only Train with a Dining Car
A standout feature of the Pune–Mumbai Deccan Queen is its Dining Car, the only one of its kind currently operational on Indian Railways. It offers onboard table service with facilities like a microwave oven, deep freezer, toaster, and plush interiors with cushioned seating and carpeting.
The Deccan Queen continues to be a vital rail service for daily commuters and tourists between Pune and Mumbai, celebrated for its punctuality and reliability for over nine decades.
