Deccan Queen

For the Indian film, see Deccan Queen (film).
Deccan Queen
Overview
Service type Superfast Express Train
Locale Maharashtra
First service 1 June 1930
Current operator(s) Central Railway
Route
Start Mumbai CST
Stops

3 (Mumbai CST - Pune Junction)

2 (Pune Junction - Mumbai CST)
End Pune Junction
Distance travelled 192.2 km (119.4 mi)
Average journey time 3 hours, 10 minutes
Service frequency Daily
Train number(s) 12123 / 12124
On-board services
Class(es) AC Chair Car, Chair Car, General
Seating arrangements Yes
Sleeping arrangements No
Catering facilities Yes, paid service
Technical
Rolling stock Kalyan WCAM-3 locomotive
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed 60 km/h (37 mph) average with halts
Route map
Legend
 Mumbai CST
 Dadar (Towards Mumbai CST)
 Parsik tunnel
 Karjat (Towards Pune Junction)
 Bhor Ghat Begins
 Monkey Hill(Technical Halt towards Mumbai CST)
 Bhor Ghat Ends
 Khandala(Technical Halt towards Mumbai CST)
 Lonavla
 Shivajinagar (Towards Pune Junction)
 Pune

The Deccan Queen or Deccan Queen Express, (translated Dakkhan chee Raanee in Marathi), is an Indian passenger train that connects Mumbai with Pune. It is one of the most popular trains on this sector and is a daily means of transport for thousands of passengers travelling between the two cities. It is a prestigious train of the Indian Railways.

Deccan Queen at Mumbai CST
The Deccan Queen during its 80th anniversary celebrations on 1 June 2009

History

Deccan Queen was started on 1 June 1930[1] as a weekend train for the British people in India during the days of British India, to ferry race-fans from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Poona (now Pune). The first service of the train was conducted from Calyan (now Kalyan) and Pune. It was converted to a daily service soon after, starting from Bombay Victoria Terminus (renamed Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus CSTM). It is one of the longest running trains on the Indian Railways to have never run on steam power. From the beginning, the Deccan Queen has been run using electric locomotives. Occasionally, it was given diesel locomotives in case of original locomotive failure.

The color of its rake has seen a lot of changes, from red colour to yellow and then to blue.[1]

The Deccan Queen has several firsts or 'among the firsts' to her credit: she was India's first superfast train, she was the first long distance electric hauled passenger train, she was one of India's first vestibuled trains. The Deccan Queen was the first to have a Ladies Only car, and amongst the first to feature a diner. The train has an exciting and chequered history. The Deccan Queen got a brand new rake in 1966, consisting of Indian Railways standard integral anti telescopic cars. For the first time since the history of the train, third class (now second class) passengers were allowed to travel by this train. It had only reserved first class since inception until 1966.

Deccan Queen is the second train in India having ISO 9000 certification and a dining car after the India's first ISO Certified train Shaan - E - Bhopal Express running between Bhopal Habibganj (Bhopal) - Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi).[1] It has sixteen coaches including the engine.

The Deccan Queen is also one of the most favourite trains among railfans. Every year on 1 June, its regular pass-holders, railfans and railway authorities celebrate the train's birthday. Deccan Queen entered its 85th year of service on 1 June 2014.[2]

Schedule

The train number is 12124 (Up) while travelling from Pune to Mumbai, a distance of 192 km, and 12123 (Down) for the return journey from Mumbai to Pune.


12123 Mumbai to Pune

Rake
Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 - 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
HP/SLR GEN2 D10

(MST2)

 D9

(MST1)

 D8 D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 Dining Car C4 C3 C2

(AC MST2)

 C1

(AC MST1)

 D2 D1

(LADIES)

 GEN1 SLR/HP
Time Table
Station Timings Halt Time Notes
Arrival Departure
Mumbai CST 17:10 Starting Station.
Karjat 18:33 18:35 2 min Rear locomotives are attached for Bhor Ghat.
Lonavala 19:19 19:20 1 min
Shivajinagar 20:09 20:10 1 min
Pune Junction 20:25 Terminating Station.

[3]

During the journey from Mumbai, the train's first halt is at Karjat to attach banker locomotives at the rear to enable the train to climb the mountainous route. The train then halts at Lonavala after climbing to the top, and then halts at Shivajinagar station near Pune before finally terminating at the main Pune railway station.[4]

12124 Pune to Mumbai

Rake
Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
D10

(MST2)

 HP/SLR GEN D1

(LADIES)

 D2 C1

(AC MST1)

 C2

(AC MST2)

 C3 C4 Dining Car D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9

(MST1)

 SLR/HP
Time Table
Station Timings Halt Time Notes
Arrival Departure
Pune Junction 7:15 Starting Station
Lonavala 8:09 8:10 1 min
Khandala 8:15 8:16 1 min Technical halt. Rear locomotives are attached for Bhor Ghat.
Monkey Hill 8:20 8:21 1 min Technical halt. For checking brakes.
Dadar Central 10:03 10:05 2 min
Mumbai CST 10:25 Terminating Station.

[5]

After leaving Pune, the train stops only at Lonavala and Dadar stations before the Mumbai destination. The train also halts for a few minutes at a point named Monkey Hill (just after Lonavala) at the beginning of a steep descent in order to check its brakes. This is known as a "technical halt" and is not a scheduled halt at a station.[6]

Traction

WCM 1 type engine initially was used to pull Deccan Queen

Initially Deccan Queen had WCM 1 engine. It is currently hauled end to end by a WCAM 3 engine of the Kalyan (KYN) shed.

Incidents

The train derailed in 1990 at Khandala Ghat, but there were no casualties.

The train service was disturbed in July to August 2005 due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai (26 July 2005)

On 30 November 2006, a mob of around 6000 protestors set fire to some coaches of the train near Ulhasnagar after forcing the passengers to get down.[7] The arsonists were protesting against the vandalism of a statue of B. R. Ambedkar in far away Kanpur though the incident had nothing to do with the Deccan Queen.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Deccan Queen turns 75". 2004-06-01. Retrieved 2006-11-30.
  2. ↑ "Deccan Queen enters 80th year of service". 2009-06-02.
  3. ↑ Deccan Queen Mumbai CST - Pune Junction
  4. ↑ 12123 Mumbai - Pune Deccan Queen
  5. ↑ Deccan Queen Pune Junction - Mumbai CST
  6. ↑ 12124 Pune - Mumbai Deccan Queen
  7. ↑ "Dalits go on a rampage". 2006-11-30. Retrieved 2006-11-30.

External links