Deccan Queen to get new dining car

In December last year, the railway authorities had replaced the dining car with a pantry coach. Last month, in reply to an RTI application, the Central Railway authorities ‘clarified’ that the dining car was taken away permanently and as it had “exhausted its life.”

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Reacting to this decision, loyal passengers of the Queen had demanded that the dining car was part of the heritage and tradition of the Deccan Queen and it should not be replaced with an ordinary pantry car. They demanded that the railway either replace and restore the old car or manufacture a new one.

“As it became an emotional issue for passengers and rail fans, we have decided to manufacture a dining car which will be reintroduced in the Deccan Queen,” said Narendra Patil, spokesperson, Central Railway.

Sunil Kumar Sood, general manager, Central Railway, took a formal decision in a meeting on Monday. It has been decided to convert an AC first-class coach into a dining car by changing the interior. It will be done at the workshop in Mumbai. The engineers have been given the necessary instructions and we have also sought suggestion from the passengers regarding their preference for colour, style and furniture. We are hoping that the Queen will get its ‘crown’ back in two-three months,” said Patil.

The Deccan Queen is the only passenger service in the country to have a dining car. The car was introduced soon after the train became operational on June 1, 1930. The old car provided comfortable seating arrangement for 32 passengers fitted with tastefully furnished cushioned chairs. It also provided facilities such as microwave oven, deep freezer and toaster. Railway officials said that all the old features of the dining car would be retained and some new one can be added to keep it with the changing times. Passengers and representatives of the commuters group have welcomed the decision.

Harsha Shah of Railway Pravasi Group, said, “This is a victory of the sustained demands by passengers. The re-introduction of the dining car will bring back the old charm of the Queen.”