Deccan Queen Express turns 90 today, no birthday celebration due to lockdown

Pune, June 1, 2020: The 90th birthday of the Deccan Queen Express today will not be celebrated this year against the backdrop of Coronavirus epidemic. The tradition of celebrating birthdays in the last few years will be broken this year as the railway service is closed and the train is stationed in Mumbai. This train is well-patronised service since 1930. It also has many records like India’s first superfast train, first long distance electric hauled train, first vestibuled train, first train to have ladies’ only car, first train to feature a dining car.

The introduction of Deccan Queen between Pune and Mumbai, the two premier cities of Maharashtra, on June 1, 1930, was a major landmark in the history of Indian Railways. This was the 1st deluxe train introduced by railway. It is also known as ‘Dakkhan ki Rani’ or the ‘Queen of Deccan’.

Every year on June 1, before the train leaves for Mumbai, the birthday of the Deccan Queen Express is celebrated by the Railway Passenger Group and the passengers travelling between Pune and Mumbai by cutting a large cake. The passengers decorate the interior and exterior of the train. However, this year the Deccan Queen express has been closed for the past two months due to the lockdown. As a result, it is still in Mumbai. Therefore, a birthday cannot be celebrated at Pune railway station this year.

The introduction of “Deccan Queen’’ between the two premier cities of Maharashtra on 1st June 1930 was a major landmark in the history of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the forerunner of the Central Railway. This was the first deluxe train introduced on the railway to serve 2 important cities of the region and was aptly named after Pune, which is also known as “Queen of Deccan’’ (“Dakkhan ki Rani’’).

Initially, the train was introduced with 2 rakes of 7 coaches each one of which was painted in silver with scarlet mouldings and the other with royal blue with gold lines. The under frames of the coaches of the original rakes were built in England while the coach bodies were built in the Matunga Workshop of the GIP Railway.

The coaches of the original rakes were replaced in 1966 by anti-telescopic steel bodied integral coaches built by Integral Coach Factory, Perambur. These coaches incorporated improved design of bogies for better riding comfort and also improvements in the interior furnishings and fittings. The number of coaches in the rake was also increased to 12 from the original 7 coaches providing additional accommodation. Over the year the number of coaches in the train has been increased to the present level of 17 coaches.

With the ever-growing aspirations of the travelling public for better amenities, improved standards of comfort and better quality of service, it was considered necessary to give a complete facelift to the Deccan Queen. The rake was changed in 1995 with the following special features:

• All newly manufactured or about a year old, air brake coaches.
• The 5 first class chair car in the old rake have been replaced by 5 AC chair cars providing an additional seating capacity of 65 in a dust-free environment. Also the 9-second class chair cars provide additional seating capacity of 120 seats compared to the old coaches.
• The dining car offers table service for 32 passengers and has modern pantry facilities such as microwave oven, deep freezer and toaster. The dining car is also tastefully furnished with cushioned chairs and carpet.

The history of Deccan Queen (Dakkhan ki Rani) is literally a tale of two cities. The public of both the cities are happy with the impeccable record of “right time start” and “arrival” of Deccan Queen. Over the last 90 years of its colorful history, the train has grown from a mere medium of transportation between two cities into an institution binding generation of intensely loyal passengers. Presently, Deccan Queen (12123/12124) runs with 17 coaches including 4 AC chair car, one Buffet Car, 10 second class chair car and two second class cum brake vans.