The iconic 95-year-old Deccan Queen has taken a leaf out of the Pullman and Orient Express playbook with its revamped dining car. Speaking on the occasion, a Central Railway spokesperson said, “It is not just the dining car, but the entire train has been refurbished”
Inspired by 19th-century luxury trains, the new dining coach features sofa-style seating, polished wood panelling and a classic dining saloon feel. Adorned with Warli paintings, sepia-toned frames and warm yellow lighting, it recreates the charm of Victorian-era rail travel.
The Deccan Queen remains the only train in India with a dedicated dining car offering table service.
The Pullman and Orient Express were known for redefining train travel with plush seating, rich wood interiors and understated luxury, an experience the new dining car aims to echo.
“It is not just the dining car, but the entire train has been refurbished,” a Central Railway spokesperson said. Coach interiors have been redesigned with new panels and vibrant themes. Air fragrance dispensers have been installed to enhance the onboard ambience. Lavatories have been upgraded with modern fittings, and AC chair car seating now has new covers along with improved doorway areas.”
“It is a brand new train now, with a mix of culture, heritage and technology,” he added.
The makeover was launched as part of a ‘Train Mahotsav’, which saw enthusiastic participation from passengers, railway officials and rail enthusiasts celebrating the legacy of one of Indian Railways’ most iconic trains.
Event highlights
The celebrations began an hour before the train’s scheduled 5:10 pm departure. The Deccan Queen was decorated with flowers, reflecting its royal legacy. An audio-visual presentation traced its journey since 1930 and highlighted its contributions to Indian Railways.
Journey so far
- Introduced in 1930 with two rakes of seven coaches each, one in silver with scarlet mouldings and the other in royal blue with gold lines.
- Underframes built in England, with coach bodies made at the Matunga workshop of the GIP Railway.
- Replaced with steel-bodied integral coaches in 1966, increasing capacity from 7 to 12 coaches.
- Air-brake rakes were introduced in 1995.
- Vistadome coach added in August 2021, offering scenic views of the Western Ghats
- Upgraded to LHB coaches in June 2022 under Project Utkrisht, with features like LED lights, bio-toilets and Braille signage.
- The train now runs with 16 coaches, including AC chair cars, second class seating, a vistadome coach, a dining car, a general second class cum guard’s brake van and a generator car.
Train firsts
The Deccan Queen has several milestones to its name:
- First to introduce coaches with roller bearings.
- First to introduce self-generating coaches with a 110-volt system.
- Among the first to introduce first and second class chair cars.
Unique feature – dining car
The Deccan Queen is the only train in India with a dedicated dining car offering table service. It is equipped with modern pantry facilities, including a microwave oven, deep freezer and toaster, and features cushioned seating and carpeted interiors for a premium experience.
Advocate Vijay Sarwade
“I have been travelling on this train for decades and have always been drawn to the dining car. The timings have been legendary. It is for this dining car that I take the train, and the new look is just out of the world.”
Sandeep Ashok Chavan
“I have been travelling on this train for ten years. It is one of the best connections between Mumbai and Pune and is known for its punctuality.”
