What is the story about?
It all began on April 16, 1853, when India’s very first train chugged out from Bombay to Thane, marking the start of a love affair that would change how
the nation moved. During the British Raj, railways were a way of life. Grand stations, elaborate locomotives, and carriages with better facilities than even England’s made Indian Railways a marvel of its time. Through decades, these trains witnessed everything, right from India's pre-Independence days to the heartbreak of Partition, when the same tracks carried stories of hope, loss, and separation. These trains, today, offer a slice of India's history on the tracks.
Kalka Mail: India’s Oldest Running Train
The Kalka Mail is quite literally a moving piece of Indian history. First running in 1866 as the East Indian Railway Mail, this train carried British civil servants and the entire administrative machinery from Calcutta to Simla, the summer capital. Special carriageways at Howrah and Kalka allowed high-ranking officers to drive straight up to their coaches, a luxury still partially visible at Howrah station today.Now in operation for over 150 years, the Kalka Mail has been a witness to many pivotal moments in Indian history, right from pre-Independence days to the turbulence of Partition. It is said to have inspired Satyajit Ray’s Feluda mystery, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose also famously boarded it during his 1941 escape (which is why the train is now called Netaji Express). Today, the train runs as 12311/12312, with the Kalka–Shimla stretch covered by the scenic Shivalik Deluxe Express, offering travellers a nostalgic journey through history and hills.
Punjab Mail: The Fastest Train In British India
In 2018, one of India's oldest long distance trains, the Punjab Mail, completed 106 years. It used to be called Punjab Limited, and was once the only train ferrying travellers from Bombay to Peshawar. There are no clear records but a complaint by an enraged passenger in 1912 puts the origin date of this train to that year. It also enjoyed the recognition of being India's fastest trainIn 1914, the train's originating station was moved to Victoria Terminus, and after the partition of India in 1947, Ferozpur was declared as the train’s terminus point. The entire journey would take about 47 hours and covered almost 2500 kms.
Fairy Queen: The Oldest Steam Train In The World
If you’re a fan of vintage locomotives, the Fairy Queen is a dream come true. Built in 1855, it holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest working steam locomotive in regular service. Originally used to ferry passengers between Delhi and Alwar, the Fairy Queen today runs as a heritage train for tourists, taking travellers back in time. Its carriages, restored to reflect colonial elegance, and the rhythmic sound of the steam engine, offer an experience that’s more like stepping into a 19th-century painting than a train ride.Bombay Poona Mail: Luxury On The Mumbai-Pune Route
First started in 1869, the Bombay-Poona Mail was the first intercity train between the two cities, and was later joined by Deccan Queen Express. As per reports, it used to carry the Royal Mail and was said to be among India's finest trains during the British rule. An incredible feature of the train was movable chairs, which could be turned around so that the passengers were always looking in the direction of the train's journey.The Bombay Poona mail now reportedly runs as the Sahyadri Express between the two cities, a name it got in 1971.
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