Deccan Queen, the only train of Indian Railways with a dining car, will run afresh from June 22. This will not be the only train to be upgraded to LHB coach. Central Railway is planning to upgrade other trains this year as well. The dining car inside Deccan Queen has been revamped, sources said. On 1 June, Central Railway demonstrated the refurbished Deccan Queen train at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus station.
This train of green and red color with white spots has the distinction of being one of the first trains to be included in the league of India’s fastest train. On 1st June this train completed 92 years and it has been replaced with LHB coach as well as a Vistadome coach.
This is the only train that has a dining car with a kitchen. “We’ve changed the furniture inside the dining car. We’ve installed sturdy metal chairs that are heavy enough and don’t move much, even if the train travels at high speed. We’ve also revamped the kitchen with an electric stove.” have been imposed,” said a CR officer.
AK Lahoti, General Manager, Central Railway inspected General Second Class and AC Chair Car Coaches, Vista Dome Coaches and Dining Car and Kitchen. Deccan Queen is one of the most prestigious train which is running successfully for last 92 years.
“It is the only restaurant car of its kind on Indian Railways. The dining car and exterior have been designed by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad in coordination with Railway Board, Research, Design and Standards Organization (RDSO), Integral Coach Factory (RDSO). ICF), Chennai and Central Railway with inputs from the general public. The introduction of LHB coaches will mean a more secure and enjoyable travel experience,” Lahoti said.
The Deccan Queen was inaugurated on 1 June 1930, a major milestone in the history of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, the precursor to the Central Railway. It was the first deluxe train introduced on the railways to serve two important cities of the region, namely Mumbai and Pune, and was aptly named as “Deccan ki Rani” (‘Queen of Deccan’).
Initially, the train was offered with 7 coaches with first class and second class accommodation only. The third category was introduced in 1955. The coaches of the original rake were replaced with anti-telescopic steel bodied integral coaches manufactured by Integral Coach Factory, Perambur in 1966 and the number of coaches was increased to 12. Vistadome Coach was added with effect from August 15, 2021.
With the introduction of LHB coaches from June 22, there will be four AC Chair Cars, 8 Second Class Chair Cars, one Vista Dome Coach, one AC Dining Car, one General Second Class cum Guard’s Brake Van and Generator Car.
The Deccan Queen, initially, had only first class and second class accommodation. The First Class was abolished on 1 January 1949. Second class was redesignated as first class and was used until June 1955 when third class was introduced in the train.
The rake was replaced in 1995 with the following special features:
- All newly built or almost one year old, air brake coaches.
- The 5 First Class Chair Cars in the old rake were replaced with 5 AC Chair Cars, providing an additional seating capacity of 65 in a dust-free environment. Also the 9-second class chair car offers an additional seating capacity of 120 seats as compared to the older coaches. Thus, the new rake provided a total seating capacity of 1417 as against 1232 seats in the old rake i.e. an increase of 15%.
- The Dining Car provides table service for up to 32 passengers and has modern pantry amenities such as a microwave oven, deep freezer and toaster. The dining car is also furnished with luxuriously cushioned chairs and carpet.