Amid band, bajaa and puja, Pune station celebrates 93 years of iconic train Deccan Queen

Before the train chugged off exactly at 7.15 am, Dhani, a student who had drawn a portrait of the train, recalled that since her childhood, she has been celebrating the train’s birthday at the very station. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

A historic link between Pune and Mumbai, the train was introduced in 1930 with two rakes of seven coaches each which has grown over the years into 17 coaches that includes the luxury of a vistadome coach.

The Deccan Queen or ‘Dakkhan ki Rani’ holds a number of records too such as the first superfast train and the first vestibuled train in the country. But on Thursday, what mattered for all those who had woken up at the crack of dawn to reach the station to party, were personal memories. Ranpura, for instance, always travels by the Deccan Queen when she visits Mumbai, especially during the Ganpati festival.

Gayatri, a lawyer from Mumbai, accompanied her half-dozen women friends in decorating the women’s compartment with balloons and confetti and conducting a puja. “We are a group of four or five women who travel from Pune to Mumbai every day. I met these women when I got my train pass and started travelling for work. Since we travel in the women’s compartment, we have a strong sense of belonging and we treat each other like family. I am the third generation travelling via the Deccan Queen. My father and grandfather travelled by the train for almost 40 years and I am simply carrying on the legacy,” said Gayatri.

The platform was also decorated with a beautiful rangoli to match the Deccan Queen’s grandeur. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

“The train is never late. I have been working here for more than 10 years so I can confirm that the train has its own fans which we call the Deccan Queen’s Public. It is a brand in itself,” said Station Manager, Sunil Dongle. Mangilal Solanki, a passenger for the last 51 years, said, “A few years ago, the train suddenly caught fire at Badlapur. I felt a sense of deep sorrow as if a near and dear one was hit,” he said.

As if a person was being celebrated, the train was cleaned and prepared for the celebration. The train looked as good as new and the compartments were decorated with flowers. The platform was also decorated with a beautiful rangoli to match the Deccan Queen’s grandeur.

Before the train chugged off exactly at 7.15 am, Dhani, a student who had drawn a portrait of the train, recalled that since her childhood, she has been celebrating the train’s birthday at the very station. “My father is a part of the Indian Railways Fan club. They take pictures of various trains across the country. As a child, I used to climb the engine and get clicked with the crew. Today, I am here to do the same but this time with a small gift for my beloved train,” she said.