Deccan Queen

The Deccan Queen celebrated yet another birthday on June 1. It was a time to celebrate fond memories of India’s longest-running and best-loved train as she completed 76 years.
Several phrases have been used to describe her over the years. Paragon of speed and punctuality. A proud legacy from the Raj. The pride of sahibs, white and nonwhite. The first and only first-class-only train in India(of course, now with two unreserved second class compartments).
The decaan queen was also the pride of independent India. A cosmopolitan microcosm blendiong Pune camp, Sadahiv Peth and DEccan Gymkhana (Kothrud was a fringe village then).
There were sumptuous breakfasts gobbled up during a three-hour dash towards the Mumbai metropolis. The Deccan Queen, in her regal white and blue robe, glided through the mist of Khandala Ghat.
On the eve of her birthday, these mental picture postcards were rather rudely interrupted by sound bites from some few thousand monthly pass holders who presently travel almost every day on the train.
“These second-class general compartments have ruined it. It was a reserved seats only train. People liked it so much they willingly paid a fine and traveled on it. With the general compartments, it has turned into a free-for-all. Anybody hops on and since it is totally connected internally, they fill up all available space. The Deccan Queen has become the dabba queed, “ said a pass holder.