India’s First Luxury Train Completes 93 Years of Service

Deccan Queen, India’s first luxury train, completed 93 years of service on June 1, 2023. In 1930, when the Deccan Queen was first introduced, it gained immense popularity among the general public. It was initially a weekend train which would run from Mumbai to Pune, primarily to allow people of the higher end to attend horse racing at the Pune Race Course. 

Not only was the Deccan Queen the first long distance traveling train and the fastest train, but it was also the first train to be run on electricity, have a car reserved for women and dining. The Deccan Queen still remains to be the only passenger train in India to have a dining car. It can seat 32 passengers and has microwave ovens, toasters, and deep freezers. 

The name “Deccan Queen” came from the nickname given to Pune, “Queen of the Deccan”. Now, the Deccan Queen is a daily passenger train which is operated by the Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways.  

On June 1, rail enthusiasts gathered at the Pune railway station to celebrate the 93 years of service of the Deccan Queen. To honor this occasion, the train was garlanded and beautiful patterns of rangoli were made at the entrance of the train’s platform. Music played during the celebration, which made the event more lively. The celebrators cut two huge cakes. The event was also graced by the presence of the Maharashtra minister, Chandrakant Patil.