Deccan Queen marks 95 years of travel

The iconic Deccan Queen, one of Central Railway’s most celebrated trains, marked its 95th anniversary on Sunday, June 1, 2025. 

Launched in 1930, the Deccan Queen was the first deluxe train service introduced between Mumbai and Pune, two of Maharashtra’s premier cities, and quickly became a symbol of elegance and engineering excellence in Indian railways.

Nicknamed "Dakkan ki Rani" (Queen of the Deccan), the train was a historic milestone for the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the predecessor of today’s Central Railway. Over the decades, the Deccan Queen has held a special place in the hearts of daily commuters, business travelers, and railway enthusiasts alike.

The train boasts a number of pioneering features. It remains the only running Indian train equipped with a full-service dining car, offering table service and modern amenities such as a microwave, deep freezer, and toaster. The dining car is furnished with cushioned seating and a carpeted floor, offering passengers a comfortable dining experience on the move.

Technological upgrades over the years have kept the Deccan Queen at the forefront of rail innovation. From roller-bearing coaches to self-generating power coaches, it was among the first trains to adopt advanced systems. In 2021, a Vistadome coach was added, giving travelers panoramic views of the scenic Western Ghats along the Mumbai-Pune route.

Under Project Utkrisht, all traditional coaches were replaced with modern LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches in June 2022. The upgraded train now features LED lighting, bio-toilets, Braille signage, and enhanced passenger amenities. Its current composition includes 16 coaches: three AC chair cars, nine second-class chair cars, one Vistadome coach, a dining car, a general second-class cum guard’s van, and a generator coach.

As the Deccan Queen celebrates 95 years of service, it continues to embody the blend of tradition, luxury, and progress — a true jewel of Indian Railways.