Two trains still run, carry Mumbai's heritage

If one talks about the heritage of Mumbai and trains that are closely linked to the development of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Deccan Queen and the Flying Ranee stand out. Though regularly used by commuters between Pune-Mumbai and Surat-Mumbai, respectively, it is always a matter of pride in boarding and travelling in these 2 trains.

They started during the pre-Independence era and hence very much part of Mumbai's rich heritage. Whether it is luxury, elegance, pride, fellow-friendship, making new friends, food and the scenic beauty of the route, these 2 Queens cannot be matched. And if you want to discuss politics, sports, films or anything under the sun, a journey in them is a must.

The Deccan Queen started on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the forerunner of the Central Railway and is also known as "Queen of Deccan" or "Dakkan ki Rani". On the other hand, the Flying Ranee started on Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway (BB&CI), which in a way is the forerunner of the Western Railway-- and is also known as the “Flying Ranee, Queen of the West Coast”.

Deccan Queen, during its 192-km journey passes through Pune, Shivajinagar, Lonavla, Karjat and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.  During its 263-km journey, Flying Ranee passes through Surat, Udhna Junction, Sachin, Maroli, Navsari, Amalsad, Bilimora Junction, Valsad, Vapi, Dahanu Road, Palghar, Borivali, Andheri and Mumbai Central.  Now, the Flying Ranee is a double-decker train.

Both these trains connected Mumbai to growth centres like Surat and Pune then part of Bombay Province. “These 2 trains have their own importance,” says Rajendra B Aklekar, a railway heritage expert andhistorian, who has  authored  “Halt Station India - The Dramatic Tale of the Nation's First Rail Lines.”  

“Whether it is Mumbai to Pune or Mumbai to Surat, these 2 trains have played a big role in the development of Mumbai as well as these 2 other cities....these trains were and are still used by the businessmen and the working class,” points out Ajit Joshi, an expert on the business history of Mumbai and a veteran journalist. 

“For several people travelling in these 2 trains is a matter of pride," said veteran Gandhian and peace activist Jatin Desai.

Says Alkelar: "Well, the Deccan Queen had been India's first long-distance inter-city train in 1930, after electrification of railways started in 1925 from Bombay. The train has maintained its timetable since then. Today, it is one of the handful trains that has a dining car with table, chair and menu. It is high time that the Central Railway treats the train well and accords it the high-end LHB (Rajdhani type) coaches for comfortable ride!"
 
Going down the memory lane, he said: "The train is respected among railway fans and passengers. In fact, when the train passes by and if I am on a railway premise when I see it in there, as a mark of respect I always make it a point to stand still till the Queen passes by."

Talking about the Flying Ranee, he said: "Mrs Sethna, wife of the district traffic superintendent at Bulsar (now Valsad) undertook the pleasant duty of naming the train before a large holiday crowd. Standing on the platform alongside the gigantic locomotive which was decorated for the occasion, Sethna said, "I name you Flying Ranee, queen of the West Coast. May all your trips be safe and speedy and those who travel by you enjoy a happy and carefree holiday and a swift and comfortable homeward journey.”

“The history of Deccan Queen is literally a tale of 2 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 8 decades of its colourful history, the train has grown from a mere medium of transportation between 2 cities into an institution binding generation of intensely loyal passengers,” CR officials said. Deccan Queen started its journey on  June 1, 1930 - now a record 86 years.

On the other hand, Flying Ranee was first introduced in 1906 as a weekend special. During the World Wars, the services were discontinued.  It finally resumed operations on  November 1, 1950 and has been running ever since. On December 18, 1979,  double-decker cars were added to the Flying Ranee's rake.

Joshi, who travels in the Flying Ranee on a regular basis, said: “There are several groups in the trains who travel days after days. They share food and love....at one point of time, merchants from Surat and Mumbai prefer Flying Ranee because of its elegance, promptness. In fact, when the train passes by, people stand to have a look at it speeding by."

Congress legislator Anant Gadgil, who loves travelling in Deccan Queen, in his book, Pinches & Punches, has written several anecdotes about this train. “You are always at home in this train. There are friends around and the journey is interesting, the food is interesting,” he said.

   As Mumbai grew and expanded post-Independence, this became a vehicle of development.

 “Travelling in Deccan Queen is like travelling in a world of heritage....I have even seen the Indian cricket team travelling from Mumbai to Pune in these trains, but that was long ago," said Rafique Baghdadi, a historian of Mumbai and veteran journalist and writer.