Inside the Deccan Queen’s new Warli-art dining car
Running between Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Pune, the Deccan Queen, fondly known as Dakkhan chi Rani (Queen of the Deccan), is not just a daily commuter favourite but a moving piece of railway history. Introduced on June 1, 1930, by the Great Indian Peninsula (GIP) Railway, a precursor to Indian Railways, the Deccan Queen remains the only running passenger train in India with a dedicated dining car offering table service, setting it apart from an era of packaged, seat-delivered meals. Last month on March 27 the Central Railway unveiled a newly refurbished dining car fitted with improved interiors, modern furniture, and design elements inspired by traditional themes such as Warli art, blending heritage, aesthetics and modern comfort. Refurbished dining car of the Deccan Queen blends heritage aesthetics with modern comfort (Credits: Anush Jadhav) Swapnil Nila, chief public relations officer, Central Railway, said, “The Deccan Queen is the only running train in India equipped with a dedicated dining car offering table service. It is fitted with modern pantry facilities including microwave oven, deep freezer, …
