Last ride of blue and white Deccan Queen
The 7:15 a.m. Deccan Queen from Pune to Mumbai on 22 June 2022 was to be last ride of the blue and white Deccan Queen. This was a special day and a sentimental ride to bid adieu to the old Deccan Queen. This train has been one of my favourites with several hundred enjoyable rides on this train.
What I liked about the Deccan Queen
The timing is great — not too early and not too late. The return journey starts at the right time too and one is home for dinner. The pantry car has been a particular favourite not only for me but for so many others.
These things could have been better
There have been some regrets as well. For instance, the train could have been faster to reach Mumbai by 9:45 a.m. and left Mumbai around 6 p.m. and reach Pune by 8:30 p.m. On the return journey to Pune, the train not stopping at Dadar is hugely inconvenient.
Over the last few years, the menu at the pantry car has been curtailed. Do not know whether this has anything to do with IRCTC taking over the catering from the private contractors. The toast butter is gone and so has the chicken cutlet. They have been serving only two items for sometime now — omelette with bread slices and vegetable cutlet with bread slices. No toast, period.
Views from the vistadome coach
On this ride, I spent most of the time at the rear of the vistadome coach, which was the place to be.
Most importantly, the rear of the vistadome coach offered beautiful views of the rail tracks and surroundings apart from the inside views of the railway tunnels with the tracks.
Finally the journey ends at CST, Mumbai
This was the last journey for the blue and white coaches of the Deccan Queen.
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