>Neils51 at 04:20, 7 July 2021

2021-07-07T04:20:38Z

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{{Short description|Passenger rail service between the Indian cities of Mumbai and Pune}}
{{About||the Indian film|Deccan Queen (film)|the bus|Deccan Queen (bus)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Deccan Queen
| image = Deccan Queen Indian Railways.jpg
| caption = [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] locomotive leading Deccan Queen down the [[Bhor Ghat]]
| type = [[Express train|Superfast]]
| locale = [[Maharashtra]]
| first = {{Start date and age|1930|6|1|df=yes}}
| last =
| operator = [[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]]
| ridership =
| start = [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus]]
| stops = 3 as 12123 Deccan Queen 
2 as 12124 Deccan Queen (+2 technical)
| end = {{stnlnk|Pune Junction}}
| distance = {{convert|192|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 3 hours 10 minutes as 12124 Deccan Queen 
3 hours 15 minutes as 12123 Deccan Queen
| frequency = Daily
| class = AC Chair Car, Chair Car, General
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = No
| autorack = No
| catering = Yes, paid service
| observation = Very few stops, No Rake Shareing
| entertainment = None
| baggage =
| otherfacilities= Dining car (Restaurant On Wheels)
| stock = [[Indian locomotive class WAP-7|WAP-7]] locomotive, ICF Blue White rake, based at [[Ajni railway station]]
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}}
| el =
| trainnumber = 12123 / 12124
| speed = {{convert|105|km/h|abbr=on}} top speed {{convert|58|km/h|abbr=on}} average with halts
| map =
{{BS-map|inline=1|map=[[File:(Mumbai - Pune) Express trains route map.png|300px]]
{{BS|ENDEa||[[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus|Mumbai CSMT]]}}
{{BS|HST||{{stnlnk|Dadar}} (''towards Mumbai CSMT'')}}
{{BS|hKRZWae||Thane Viaduct ([[Thane Creek]])}}
{{BS|TUNNEL1||[[Parsik tunnel]] (1.6 Km)}}
{{BS|HST||{{stnlnk|Karjat}} (''towards Pune Junction'')}}
{{BS|STR+GRZq||[[Bhor Ghat|Bhor Ghat begins]]}}
{{BS|pHST||{{stnlnk|Monkey Hill}}|(''technical halt towards Mumbai CSMT'')}}
{{BS|TUNNEL1||Khandala Tunnel (2.3 Km)}}
{{BS|STR+GRZq||[[Bhor Ghat|Bhor Ghat ends]]}}
{{BS|pHST||{{stnlnk|Khandala}}|(''technical halt towards Mumbai CSMT'')}}
{{BS|BHF||{{stnlnk|Lonavla}}}}
{{BS|HST||{{stnlnk|Shivajinagar}} (''towards Pune Junction'')}}
{{BS|KBHFe||{{stnlnk|Pune}}}}
}}
| map_state = Maharashtra
}}

The '''Deccan Queen''' is a daily Indian passenger train service operated by the [[Central Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]] connecting the cities of [[Mumbai]] and [[Pune]]. Introduced on June 1, 1930, the Deccan Queen was India's "first superfast train, first long-distance electric-hauled train, first vestibuled train, the first train to have a ‘women-only’ car, and the first train to feature a dining car".<ref name="indian_express_2020">{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/deccan-queen-why-pune-celebrates-a-trains-birthday-6439354/|title=Deccan Queen: Why Pune celebrates a train's birthday|author=Explained Desk|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=2020-06-04}}</ref> The service name comes from the [[Hindi]] nickname "{{Lang|hi|डेक्कन की रानी}}" (Queen of the Deccan), a popular nickname for Pune. Deccan Queen is currently the fastest train service linking [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus]] and [[Pune Junction]]. It has an average operating speed of {{convert|58|km/h|abbr=on}} including stops, and a top speed of {{convert|105|km/h|abbr=on}}, making it among the fastest trains in India. The train's long history and common use as a commuter train has gained it significant popularity, including annual celebrations of its "birthday" on June 1 at Pune Junction.<ref name="indian_express_2020" /> It is hauled by a Kalyan-based WCAM 3 End To End.

== History ==
[[File:DeccanQueen80.jpg|thumb|right|The Deccan Queen during its 80th anniversary celebrations on 1 June 2009]]

''Deccan Queen'' service was introduced on 1 June 1930 as a weekend train with two [[rake (train)|rakes]] of seven coaches each. The first service of the train was conducted from Calyan (now [[Kalyan]]) and Pune in the [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]], apparently in order to ferry rich patrons from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Poona (now Pune) to attend [[horse racing]] at [[Pune Race Course]].<ref name="freepress_2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/on-this-day-in-history-june-1-1930-the-famous-deccan-queen-express-is-introduced|title=On This Day in History: June 1, 1930: The famous Deccan Queen Express is introduced|author=FPJ Web Desk|date=June 1, 2018|work=[[The Free Press Journal]]}}</ref>

Initially, one coach was painted in silver with scarlet mouldings, while the others were painted in royal blue with gold lines. The underframes of the coaches of the original rakes were built in England, while the coach bodies were built in the [[Matunga railway station|Matunga Workshop]] of the [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]]. The service initially included first and second class seating, but the first class was replaced by a redesigned second class on January 1, 1949, until third class seating was introduced in June 1955. In 1966, the coaches were replaced by "anti-telescopic, steel-bodied integral coaches" built by [[Integral Coach Factory]], [[Perambur]], and the rake was lengthened to twelve coaches. Third class seating was re-designated second-class seating in April 1974.<ref name="midday_2018" />

The ''Deccan Queen'' is also one of the most favourite trains among [[railfan]]s. Every year on 1 June, its regular pass-holders, railfans and railway authorities celebrate the train's birthday.<ref name="indian_express_2020"/> ''Deccan Queen'' entered its 90th year of service on 1 June 2019.

On 19 August 2020, Central Railways announced an allocation of brand new [[LHB coaches]] coupled with a simultaneous introduction of a unique culturally significant "Green-Brown-Yellow" curvilinear stripe livery on all of the coaches of Deccan Queen. The unique new livery has been finalized after numerous consultations with commuters as well as Design Engineers. The new livery features a dark green-colored main background, with brown and yellow curvilinear stripes, that run from the right end of the coach and end at 2/3rds of the length of the coach thereby giving the rake a unique GenZ look that is bound to make heads turn in conjunction with eyebrows raised. In addition, a selection of such a dark Green livery would ensure that the train's color does not get adversely impacted at the time of the Indian Monsoon. This train will now run with an introduction of push–pull Technology and head-on generation-equipped WAP-7 three-phase electric locomotives of Kalyan Electric Loco Shed, which will also have the same livery as the rest of the train. The unique Dine-in pantry car of this legendary train will still be retained although in a fresh new LHB avatar.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

===Incidents===
On 29 December 1953, Bombay-bound Deccan Queen collided at Masjid Bunder station with another local train at 1025 hours on 29 December 1953. Five persons received grievous and 42 others minor injuries. The approximate cost of damage to railway property was Rs. 12,600. The Government Inspector of Railways, Bombay, held his statutory enquiry into this accident. His Provisional Finding is that the accident was caused by the failure on the part of the Driver of the Deccan Queen.<ref>https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/55680/1/lsd_01_06_05-03-1954.pdf page 4</ref>

The train derailed in 1990 at [[Khandala Ghat]], casualties were not reported.

The train service was disturbed between late July to early August 2005 due to [[Maharashtra floods of 2005|heavy rainfall in Mumbai]] (26 July 2005).{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

On 30 November 2006, a mob of around 6,000 protestors set fire to some coaches of the train near [[Ulhasnagar]] after forcing the passengers to get down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/Sections/News/Dalits_go_on_a_rampage/articleshow/650600.cms|title=Dalits go on a rampage|date=2006-11-30|access-date=2006-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622004407/http://www.timesnow.tv/Sections/News/Dalits_go_on_a_rampage/articleshow/650600.cms|archive-date=22 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The arsonists were [[2006 Dalit protests in Maharashtra|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''.

== Schedule ==
This service consists of two routes:

* 12124 Pune–Mumbai Deccan Queen leaves Pune Junction every day at 0715 hrs IST and reaches Mumbai CSMT at 1025 hrs IST. The train travels non stop till Lonavala after leaving Pune junction. On its way the train overtakes [[Sahyadri Express]] at Shivajinagar / {{stnlnk|Khadki}}. Then it crosses the Bhor ghat and skips Karjat. The train then stop at [[Dadar railway station|Dadar (Central) station]] after traveling {{convert|120|km|0|abbr=on}} from Lonavala and finally terminates at Mumbai CSMT. It is the second (out of six) Pune–Mumbai trains to leave Pune Junction in the morning.
* 12123 Mumbai–Pune Deccan Queen leaves Mumbai CSMT every day at 1710 hrs IST and reaches Pune Junction at 2025 hrs IST. On its way the train halt at {{stnlnk|Karjat}} after covering {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=on}} from Mumbai CSMT for bank locomotive attachment. Then it halts at {{stnlnk|Lonavala}} after crossing Bhor Ghat where bank locomotives are detached. Then the train halts at {{stnlnk|Shivajinagar}} a major suburb of Pune before terminating at Pune junction. It is the last daily Mumbai–Pune train to leave CSMT in the evening.

Due to the suburban network, Deccan Queen's arrival in Mumbai is affected by up to 30 minutes. However, it is still the fastest train between Pune and Mumbai CSMT.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/commuters-claim-deccan-queen-reaches-mumbai-late/|title=Commuters claim Deccan Queen reaches Mumbai late|last=Chaterjee|first=Pupul|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=June 18, 2012}}</ref>

== Train ==

=== Rake ===
[[File:Deccan Queen Express.jpg|thumb|right|Deccan Queen coaches at Mumbai CSMT]]

This train uses old ICF coaches made at the [[Integral Coach Factory]]. This train has a dining car and is ISO certified {{citation needed|date=February 2021}}. This train has 17 coaches which include different classes like AC chair car, MST coaches (Monthly Season Ticket), Ladies special, Second class sitter, Reserved coaches and General Coaches. This train will be upgraded under Project Utkrisht and will have LED lights, Bio toilets and Braille Signage. GPS-tagged biometric attendance system will be also installed in this train.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/deccan-queen-to-get-upgraded-coaches/article23994262.ece | title=Deccan Queen to get upgraded coaches| journal=The Hindu| date=2018-05-25| author=Staff Reporter}}</ref>

Initially this train use to run with two different rakes: one colored silver with scarlet moldings and other royal blue, both built in England. Only First Class and Second Class were used in seven-coach rake till June 1955 after which Third Class was also introduced. Initially there were seven coaches which were increased to 12 and then to 17 as of today.<ref name="midday_2018">{{cite news | url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/iconic-mumbai-pune-deluxe-train-deccan-queen-celebrates-anniversary/17294167 | author=mid-day online correspondent |title=Iconic Mumbai–Pune Deluxe train Deccan Queen celebrates 88th anniversary| work=[[Mid-Day]] | date=June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805001302/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/iconic-mumbai-pune-deluxe-train-deccan-queen-celebrates-anniversary/17294167 | archive-date = August 5, 2020 }}</ref> Now it has one dedicated rake colored white and blue with red strip on white color. The rake is ICF rake and was hauled by [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] or [[WCAM-2/2P]] and occasionally [[Indian locomotive class WAP-7|WAP-7 (P7)]] which hauls the train today. The rake is attached with bankers from {{stnlnk|Karjat}} to {{stnlnk|Lonavala}} while traveling from Mumbai CSMT to Pune Junction in order to cross steep climbs of the [[Bhor Ghat]].

;
Mumbai CSMT–Pune Junction
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Loco
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17

|-
|[[File:BSicon TRAIN2.svg|25px]]
|HP/SLR
| 
(Second MST)
| 
(Second MST)
|GEN
|GEN
|D5
|D4
|D3
|Dining cum pantry car
|C4
|C3
| 
(AC MST)
| 
(AC MST)
|D2
|D1 
(LADIES)
|GEN
|SLR/HP
|}

; Pune Junction–Mumbai CSMT
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! 17
! 16
! 15
! 14
! 13
! 12
! 11
! 10
! 9
! 8
! 7
! 6
! 5
! 4
! 3
! 2
! 1
! Loco

|-
|HP/SLR
| 
(Second MST)
| 
(Second MST)
|GEN
|GEN
|D5
|D4
|D3
|Dining cum Pantry Car
|C4
|C3
| 
(AC MST)
| 
(AC MST)
|D2
|D1 
(LADIES)
|GEN
|SLR/HP
|[[File:BSicon TRAIN2.svg|25px]]
|}

=== Locomotives ===
[[File:An-Rail-Engine-display-in-ICF-Rail-Museum-Chennai.JPG|thumb|right|[[Indian locomotive class WCM-1|WCM-1]] locomotive in Deccan Queen livery]]

When it was introduced in 1930, the Deccan Queen was hauled by WCP 1/2 DC passenger locomotives. From 1954 till the 1990s, it was hauled by a [[Indian locomotive class WCM-1|WCM-1]]/2/4/5 DC mixed locomotive. From the 1990s till present, it has been hauled end to end by a [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] or [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-2/2P|WCAM-2/2P]] DC/AC locomotive of the [[Kalyan Junction railway station|Kalyan]] (KYN) shed. Starting 1 June 2018, on its 88th anniversary, it will be occasionally hauled by the [[WAP-7]] of the {{stnlnk|Ajni}} shed.<ref>[https://indiarailinfo.com/train/381 12123/Deccan Queen], indiarailinfo.com</ref>

At {{stnlnk|Karjat}}, it gets two or three [[WAG-5]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-7|WAG-7]], [[WCAM-2]] or [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] bankers of Kalyan shed to push the train on the ghat section between [[Karjat railway station]] and [[Lonavala railway station]], where the gradient is of 1 in 40.

==Sister trains ==
* [[Dedicated Intercity trains of India]]:
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Via Kalyan'''
!'''Via Panvel'''
!'''Defunct'''
|-
| [[Deccan Express]]
|rowspan=4| [[Pragati Express]]
|rowspan=2| [[Mumbai–Pune Mail|Poona Mail]]
|-
| [[Indrayani Express]]
|-
| [[Mumbai–Pune Intercity Express]]
|rowspan=2| [[Mumbai–Pune Shatabdi Express]]
|-
| [[Sinhagad Express]]
|}

==See also==
* [[Mumbai–Pune Passenger]]
* [[Flying Ranee]]
* [[Flying Mail]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061128135523/http://irfca.org/~shankie/famoustrains/famtraindqn.htm ''Classic Trains of India: Deccan Queen'' by S. Shankar]

{{Mumbai–Pune Trains}}
{{Central Railway}}
{{Railways in Western India}}
{{Historical trains in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deccan Queen}}
[[Category:Express trains in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Pune]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1930]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Mumbai–Pune trains]]
[[Category:Transport in Mumbai]]

Deccan Queen - Revision history

>Neils51 at 04:20, 7 July 2021