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{{Short description|Train in India}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox rail service
| color = FF8000
| color2 = 008000
| name = Deccan Queen Express
| image = 
| caption = 
| type = [[Express trains in India|Superfast]]
| locale = [[Maharashtra]]
| first = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1930|06|01}}
| last =
| operator = [[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]]
| ridership =
| start = [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus|Mumbai CSMT]] (CSMT)
| stops = 3 (+2 technical halt)
| end = {{stnlnk|Pune Junction}} (PUNE)
| distance = {{convert|192|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 3 hours 10 minutes 
| frequency = Daily
| class = [[Vistadome]], AC Chair Car, Chair Car, Second sitting(2S)
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = No
| autorack = No
| catering = Available 
| observation = Large windows
| entertainment = 
| baggage = Below the seats 
| otherfacilities= Dining car
| stock = [[LHB coach]]
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}}
| el =
| trainnumber = 12123 / 12124
| speed = {{convert|130|km/h|0|abbr=on}} maximum speed, <br>{{convert|60|km/h|0|abbr=on}} average with halts.
| map = [[File:(Mumbai - Pune) Express trains route map.png|300px]]
| map_state = Maharashtra
}}

The 12123 / 12124 '''Deccan Queen''' is a daily Indian passenger train service operated by the [[Central Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]] connecting the cities of [[Mumbai]] and [[Pune]]. Introduced on June 1, 1930,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen train to complete 93 years of service tomorrow |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-pune-deccan-queen-train-complete-93-years-service-8639228/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> the Deccan Queen was India's "first superfast train, first long-distance electric-hauled train, first vestibuled train, the first train to have a ‘women-only’ car, and the first train to feature a dining car".<ref name="indian_express_2020">{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/deccan-queen-why-pune-celebrates-a-trains-birthday-6439354/|title=Deccan Queen: Why Pune celebrates a train's birthday|author=Explained Desk|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=2020-06-04}}</ref> The service name comes from the [[Marathi language|Marathi]] nickname "{{Lang|mr|दख्खन ची राणी}}" (Queen of the Deccan), a popular nickname for Pune. Deccan Queen is one of the fastest train services linking [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus]] and [[Pune Junction]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=India TV News |last2=News |first2=India TV |date=2025-01-30 |title=India's first superfast train running since 1930 with dining car, women-only coach |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/photos/india-deccan-queen-india-s-first-superfast-train-running-since-1930-with-dining-car-women-only-coach-2025-01-30-973795#:~:text=Deccan%20Queen%20is%20India's%20first%20superfast%20train,running%20between%20Mumbai%20and%20Pune%20since%201930.&text=Interestingly,%20Deccan%20Queen%20is%20one%20of%20the,top%20speed%20of%20105%20km/h%20(65%20mph). |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=India TV News |language=en}}</ref> It has an average operating speed of {{convert|60|km/h|abbr=on}} including stops, and a top speed of {{convert|105|km/h|abbr=on}}. The train's long history and common use as a commuter train has gained it significant popularity, including annual celebrations of its "birthday" on June 1 at Pune Junction.<ref name="indian_express_2020" /> It was hauled by a Kalyan-based [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] end to end up until June 2022. From June 2022, its upgraded coaches in a new livery are being hauled by a [[Ajni railway station|Ajni]]-based [[Indian locomotive class WAP-7|WAP-7]].

== History ==
''Deccan Queen'' service was introduced on 1 June 1930 as a weekend train with two [[rake (train)|rakes]] of seven coaches each. The first service of the train was conducted from Calyan (now [[Kalyan]]) and Pune in the [[Bombay Presidency]], [[India]], apparently in order to ferry rich patrons from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Pune.to attend [[horse racing]] at [[Pune Race Course]].<ref name="freepress_2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/on-this-day-in-history-june-1-1930-the-famous-deccan-queen-express-is-introduced|title=On This Day in History: June 1, 1930: The famous Deccan Queen Express is introduced|author=FPJ Web Desk|date=June 1, 2018|work=[[The Free Press Journal]]}}</ref>

Initially, one coach was painted in silver with scarlet mouldings, while the others were painted in royal blue with gold lines. The underframes of the coaches of the original rakes were built in England, while the coach bodies were built in the [[Matunga railway station|Matunga Workshop]] of the [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]]. The service initially included first and second class seating, but the first class was replaced by a redesigned second class on January 1, 1949, until third class seating was introduced in June 1955. In 1966, the coaches were replaced by "anti-telescopic, steel-bodied integral coaches" built by [[Integral Coach Factory]], [[Perambur]], [[Chennai]], and the rake was lengthened to twelve coaches. Third class seating was re-designated second-class seating in April 1974.<ref name="midday_2018" />

The ''Deccan Queen'' is also one of the most favourite trains among [[railfan]]s. Every year on 1 June, its regular pass-holders, railfans and railway authorities celebrate the train's birthday.<ref name="indian_express_2020"/> ''Deccan Queen'' entered its 90th year of service on 1 June 2019.
[[File:Deccan queen image.jpg|thumb|Pearly green rakes of Deccan queen resting at Pune jn]]
On 19 August 2020, Central Railways announced an allocation of brand new [[LHB coach]] coupled with a simultaneous introduction of a unique culturally significant "Green-Brown-Yellow" curvilinear stripe livery on all of the coaches of Deccan Queen. The unique new livery has been finalized after numerous consultations with commuters as well as Design Engineers. The new livery features a dark green-colored main background, with brown and yellow curvilinear stripes, that run from the right end of the coach and end at 2/3rds of the length of the coach thereby giving the rake a unique GenZ look that is bound to make heads turn in conjunction with eyebrows raised. In addition, a selection of such a dark Green livery would ensure that the train's color does not get adversely impacted at the time of the Indian Monsoon. This train will now run with an introduction of push–pull Technology and head-on generation-equipped WAP-7 three-phase electric locomotives of Kalyan Electric Loco Shed, which will also have the same livery as the rest of the train. The unique Dine-in pantry car of this legendary train will still be retained although in a fresh new LHB avatar.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

===Incidents===
On 29 December 1953, Bombay-bound Deccan Queen collided at [[Masjid railway station|Masjid Bunder]] station with another local train at 1025 hours. Five persons received grievous injuries and 42 others minor ones. The approximate cost of damage to railway property was Rs. 12,600(equal to Rs. 1.2 million in 2024). The Government Inspector of Railways, Bombay, held his statutory enquiry into this accident. The provisional finding was that the accident was caused by the failure on the part of the Driver of the Deccan Queen.<ref>https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/55680/1/lsd_01_06_05-03-1954.pdf page 4</ref>

The train derailed in 1990 at [[Khandala Ghat]], casualties were not reported.

The train service was disturbed between late July to early August 2005 due to [[Maharashtra floods of 2005|heavy rainfall in Mumbai]] (26 July 2005).{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

On 30 November 2006, a mob of around 6,000 protestors set fire to some coaches of the train near [[Ulhasnagar]] after forcing the passengers to get down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/Sections/News/Dalits_go_on_a_rampage/articleshow/650600.cms|title=Dalits go on a rampage|date=2006-11-30|access-date=2006-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622004407/http://www.timesnow.tv/Sections/News/Dalits_go_on_a_rampage/articleshow/650600.cms|archive-date=22 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The arsonists were [[2006 Dalit protests in Maharashtra|protesting against the vandalism]] of a statue of [[B. R. Ambedkar]] in far away Kanpur though the incident had nothing to do with the ''Deccan Queen''.

== Schedule ==
This service consists of two routes:

* 12124 Pune–Mumbai Deccan Queen leaves Pune Junction every day at 0715 hrs IST and reaches Mumbai CSMT at 1025 hrs IST. The train travels non-stop till Lonavala after leaving Pune junction. On its way the train overtakes [[Sahyadri Express]] at Shivajinagar / {{stnlnk|Khadki}}. Then it crosses the Bhor ghat and skips Karjat. The train then stops at [[Dadar railway station|Dadar (Central) station]] after traveling {{convert|120|km|0|abbr=on}} from Lonavala and finally terminates at Mumbai CSMT. It is the second (out of six) Pune–Mumbai trains to leave Pune Junction in the morning.
* 12123 Mumbai–Pune Deccan Queen leaves Mumbai CSMT every day at 1710 hrs IST and reaches Pune Junction at 2025 hrs IST. On its way the train halts at {{stnlnk|Karjat}} after covering {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=on}} from Mumbai CSMT for bank locomotive attachment. Then it halts at {{stnlnk|Lonavala}} after crossing [[Bhor Ghat]] where bank locomotives are detached. Then the train halts at {{stnlnk|Shivajinagar}}, a major suburb of Pune before terminating at Pune junction. It is the second to last daily Mumbai–Pune train to leave CSMT in the evening.

Due to the suburban network, Deccan Queen's arrival in Mumbai is affected by up to 30 minutes. However, it is still the fastest train between Pune and Mumbai CSMT.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/commuters-claim-deccan-queen-reaches-mumbai-late/|title=Commuters claim Deccan Queen reaches Mumbai late|last=Chaterjee|first=Pupul|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=June 18, 2012}}</ref>

== Rake ==
[[File:Deccan Express Vistadome Coach.jpg|thumb|Deccan Queen [[Vistadome]] Coach 2021]]
Initially this train ran with two different rakes: one colored silver with scarlet moldings and other royal blue, both manufactured in England. Only First Class and Second Class were used in the seven-coach rake till June 1955 after which Third Class was also introduced. Initially there were seven coaches which were increased to 12.<ref name="midday_2018">{{cite news | url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/iconic-mumbai-pune-deluxe-train-deccan-queen-celebrates-anniversary/17294167 | author=mid-day online correspondent |title=Iconic Mumbai–Pune Deluxe train Deccan Queen celebrates 88th anniversary| work=[[Mid-Day]] | date=June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805001302/https://www.mid-day.com/articles/iconic-mumbai-pune-deluxe-train-deccan-queen-celebrates-anniversary/17294167 | archive-date = August 5, 2020 }}</ref>

Eventually, the train used  [[ICF coach]] manufactured in India. This train had 17 coaches which included different classes like AC chair car, MST coaches (Monthly Season Ticket), Ladies special, Second class sitter, Reserved coaches and General Coaches.  The rake was attached with bankers from {{stnlnk|Karjat}} to {{stnlnk|Lonavala}} while traveling from Mumbai CSMT to Pune Junction in order to cross steep climbs of the [[Bhor Ghat]].

In June 2021, the train was upgraded to 17 LHB coach also manufactured in India under Project Utkrisht. These coaches have LED lights, Bio toilets and Braille Signage. GPS-tagged biometric attendance system were also installed in this train.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Staff Reporter |date=2018-05-25 |title=Deccan Queen to get upgraded coaches |journal=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/deccan-queen-to-get-upgraded-coaches/article23994262.ece}}</ref> Eventually, the number of coaches(railcars) was reduced to 15 LHB coach but with a larger passenger capacity, which included a [[Dining car|Dining Car]] that received ISO certification.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-deccan-queen-to-have-electric-sigri-induction-to-serve-freshly-cooked-food-to-passengers-23232569 | title = Mumbai: Deccan Queen to have electric sigri, induction to serve freshly cooked food to passengers | last = Aklekar | first = Rajendra B | date = 2022-06-22 | newspaper = [[Mid-Day]] | access-date = 2022-06-22 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220622070801/https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-deccan-queen-to-have-electric-sigri-induction-to-serve-freshly-cooked-food-to-passengers-23232569 | archive-date = 2022-06-22}}</ref>

Mumbai CSMT–Pune Junction

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Loco
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17

|-
|[[File:BSicon TRAIN2.svg|25px]]
|HP/SLR
|<br />
(Second MST)
|<br />
(Second MST)
|GEN
|GEN
|D5
|D4
|D3
|Dining cum pantry car
|C4
|C3
|<br />
(AC MST)
|<br />
(AC MST)
|D2
|D1<BR />
(LADIES)
|GEN
|SLR/HP 
|}

; Pune Junction–Mumbai CSMT
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! 17
! 16
! 15
! 14
! 13
! 12
! 11
! 10
! 9
! 8
! 7
! 6
! 5
! 4
! 3
! 2
! 1
! Loco

|-
|HP/SLR
|<br />
(Second MST)
|<br />
(Second MST)
|GEN
|GEN
|D5
|D4
|D3
|Dining cum Pantry Car
|C4
|C3
|<br />
(AC MST)
|<br />
(AC MST)
|D2
|D1<BR />
(LADIES)
|GEN
|SLR/HP 
|[[File:BSicon TRAIN2.svg|25px]]
|}

=== Locomotives ===
[[File:Deccan Queen Indian Railways.jpg|thumb|[[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] locomotive hauling old coaches; 2008 ]]
The Deccan Queen has a distinction of being the first intercity passenger train to be hauled by an electric locomotive, and also not using the reversing station at [[Bhor Ghat]], which was abandoned in 1929 following electrification and construction of new tunnels.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/eras/bhor-ghat-incline-triumph-tragedy|title= Bhor Ghat Incline Triumph Tragedy}}</ref> When it was introduced in 1930, the Deccan Queen was hauled by [[Indian locomotive class WCP-1|WCP 1]] or WCP-2 DC passenger locomotives. From 1954 till the 1990s, it was hauled by a [[Indian locomotive class WCM-1|WCM-1]]/2/4/5 DC mixed locomotive. From 1992 to 1996, when the WCM locomotives began failing from age, it was hauled by the [[Indian locomotive class WCG-2|WCG-2]]. From the 1997, it has been hauled end to end by a [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] or [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-2/2P|WCAM-2/2P]] DC/AC locomotive of the [[Electric Loco Shed, Kalyan|Kalyan shed]]. Starting 1 June 2018, on its 88th anniversary, it was occasionally hauled by the [[WAP-7]] of the [[Electric Loco Shed, Ajni|Ajni shed]].<ref>[https://indiarailinfo.com/train/381 12123/Deccan Queen] India Rail Info</ref> As of March 2024, the Deccan Queen is hauled by either [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]], [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-2/2P|WCAM-2/2P]] or [[WAP-7]] of the [[Electric Loco Shed, Kalyan|Kalyan shed]]. However, as of April 18, 2025, due to an acute shortage of WAP-7 locomotives and the aging of WCAM-2/WCAM-3 locomotives, the Deccan Queen is now being hauled by [[Indian locomotive class WDP-4|WDP-4D]] from Pune until at least September 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-29 |title=Deccan Queen switches to diesel, sparking downgrade debate! |url=https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/deccan-queen-gets-a-diesel-downgrade-23530073 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref>

At {{stnlnk|Karjat}}, until the 1970s, the Deccan Queen received 3-4 [[Indian locomotive class WCG-1|WCG-1]] DC banker locomotives on the [[Bhor Ghat]] section to push the train between [[Karjat railway station|Karjat]] and [[Lonavala railway station|Lonavala]], where the gradient is of 1 in 40. Until May 2010, before the [[Bhor Ghat]] was converted to 25 kV AC, the Deccan Queen was pushed by bankers of 2-3 [[Indian locomotive class WCG-2|WCG-2]] DC locomotives, and later on by [[Indian locomotive class WCAG-1|WCAG-1]] dual locomotives. As of March 2024, it gets two or three [[WAG-5]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-7|WAG-7]], [[WCAM-2]] or [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] bankers of Kalyan shed.

== Sister trains ==
* [[Dedicated Intercity trains of India]]:
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Via Kalyan'''
!'''Via Panvel'''
!'''Defunct'''
|-
| [[Deccan Express]]
|rowspan=8| [[Pragati Express]]
| [[Mumbai–Pune Mail|Pune Mail]]
|-
| [[Mumbai–Pune Intercity Express]]
| [[Mumbai–Pune Shatabdi Express]]
|-
| [[Indrayani Express]]
| [[Mumbai-Pune Passenger]]
|-
| [[Sinhagad Express]]
| [[Pune-Mumbai Passenger]]
|-
|rowspan=2|
| [[Dadar-Pune Express]]
|}

==See also==
* [[Flying Ranee]]
* [[Flying Mail]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061128135523/http://irfca.org/~shankie/famoustrains/famtraindqn.htm ''Classic Trains of India: Deccan Queen'' by S. Shankar]

{{Mumbai–Pune Trains}}
{{Central Railway}}
{{Railways in Western India}}
{{Historical trains in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deccan Queen}}
[[Category:Express trains in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Pune]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1930]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Mumbai–Pune trains]]
[[Category:Transport in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Trains with Vistadome coaches in India]]