Mumbai–Pune Mail or Poona Mail was a luxurious train on Mumbai–Pune section by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. It was the first intercity train started between Mumbai and Pune. This train and the famous Deccan Queen Express used to serve Mumbai Pune commuters for many years. Started as Mail in 1863, it was 303 Poona Mail in 1964. Got extension to Miraj past GC as 303 Bombay Mail in 1971 & become 303 Mahalaxmi Express during 1974 with final extension to Kolhapur.
During Poona–Bangalore MG era, this connects 902 MG Poona Mail, 304 MG Bombay Mail & 304 MG Mahalaxmi Express by Section Carriage Interchanged at Poona & later at Miraj.
Poona Mail (ca. 1907)
The 12123 / 12124 Deccan Queen is a daily Indian passenger train service operated by the Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways connecting the cities of Mumbai and Pune. Introduced on June 1, 1930, the Deccan Queen was India's "first superfast train, first long-distance electric-hauled train, first vestibuled train, the first train to have a ‘women-only’ car, and the first train to feature a dining car". The service name comes from the Marathi nickname "दख्खन ची राणी", a popular nickname for Pune. Deccan Queen is currently the fastest train service linking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Pune Junction. It has an average operating speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) including stops, and a top speed of 105 km/h (65 mph). The train's long history and common use as a commuter train has gained it significant popularity, including annual celebrations of its "birthday" on June 1 at Pune Junction. It was hauled by a Kalyan-based WCAM-3 end to end up until June 2022. From June 2022, its upgraded coaches in a new livery are being hauled by a Ajni-based WAP-7.
Deccan Queen Vistadome Coach 2021
WCAM-3 locomotive hauling old coaches; 2008