SpotGenie Fact: India’s Oldest Running Superfast Train

🚆 A Queen That’s Been Ruling the Rails Since 1930!

Before India had expressways or low-cost flights, a royal blue train began gliding between Mumbai and Pune, carrying colonial officers, traders, and dreamers through the misty Sahyadris.

That train was the Deccan Queen Express, launched on June 1, 1930, and it still races across the same 192 km stretch today, making it India’s oldest running superfast train.

🕰️ Legacy on Rails

• Inaugurated: June 1, 1930
• Route: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai) → Pune Junction
• Operator: Central Railway
• Distance: ~192 km
• Average Speed: ~65 km/h (Superfast category)
• Travel Time: ~3 hours
• Train Nos.: 12123 / 12124
• Nickname: Queen of the Deccan

🌸 What Makes It Special

The Deccan Queen introduced many “firsts” in Indian rail travel —

• First train in India to offer a dining car service 🍽️
• First to have a women-only compartment 🚺
• One of the earliest electric-hauled express trains ⚡
• Iconic blue-and-silver coaches that became a design template for generations

Each morning, she departs Mumbai, winding through the Bhor Ghat, crossing viaducts and tunnels built during the British era, a daily journey that’s also a rolling history lesson.

📜 Almost a Century of Continuity

For 95 years, the Deccan Queen has never lost her charm.
Even today, regulars book the same seats they’ve occupied for decades. For Punekars and Mumbaikars, this train isn’t just transport, it’s an emotion, a moving tradition.

🌉 Did You Know?

• The original train was hauled by a WCP-1 electric locomotive nicknamed Sir Roger.
• Her signature blue livery inspired Indian Railways’ later express designs.
• The onboard dining car is still one of the most photographed railway coaches in India.

🔗 Related Reads from SpotGenie Facts

1. Netaji Express – India’s Oldest Train (1866)
2. Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express – India’s Longest Train Route
3. Mahatma Gandhi Setu – Patna’s Iconic Ganga Bridge
4. Narmada Golden Bridge – Gujarat’s Historic River Crossing

🧞‍♂️ SpotGenie

Just like the Deccan Queen connects two great cities with timeless reliability,
SpotGenie Smart Tags connect vehicle owners instantly, no apps, no delays.
Whether it’s parking alerts, towing, or emergencies —
SpotGenie helps every driver stay linked and informed.

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