Mumbai–Pune Mail (started as Bombay–Poona Mail) or Poona Mail was a luxurious train on Mumbai–Pune section by the

Great Indian Peninsula Railway The Great Indian Peninsula Railway (reporting mark GIPR) was a predecessor of the Central Railway (and by extension, the current state-owned Indian Railways), whose headquarters was at the Boree Bunder in Mumbai (later, the Victoria Terminu ...

. 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 Kolhapur () is a city on the banks of the Panchganga River in the southern part of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Kolhapur is one of the most significant cities in South Maharashtra and has been a hub of historical, religious, and cultural a ...

. During Poona–Bangalore MG era, this connects 902 MG Poona Mail (Poona–Bangalore till 1971), 304 MG Bombay Mail (Miraj–Bangalore 1971–1974) & 304 MG Mahalaxmi Express (Miraj–Bangalore 1974 onwards till Miraj–Bangalore GC) by Section Carriage Interchanged at Poona & later at Miraj.

Timetable

It used to leave Pune at 7 am and Lonavala at 8:15 am and reach Mumbai by 11:10 am. The return train used to leave Mumbai at 2:45 pm and Lonavala at 5:55 pm and reach Pune by 7 pm. Later the departure time was changed to 5:55 pm from Mumbai. * Note: Skip = train does not stop

Coaches and operation, 1907

Coaches

In the year 1907 the train was operated with seven coaches with a total weight of 240 t. Seats for 50 first, 95 second and 320 third class passengers were provided. The restaurant car had another 32 seats. The train crew of 8 man included

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison gu ...

, conductor, car attendant, refreshment manager and

waiters Waiting staff ( BrE), waiters () / waitresses (), or servers (AmE) are those who work at a restaurant, a diner, or a bar and sometimes in private homes, attending to customers by supplying them with food and drink as requested. Waiting staff ...

. The livery of the train was dark red-brown on the lower part and cream for the upper part. Each car was long and wide. The chairs could be turned around in order that the passengers were always looking in the travel direction. The cars had electric lighting powered by axle driven generators. 3rd class passengers did not have reserved seats.

Punkah A punkah, also pankha (, Hindi: , ), is a type of fan used since the early 6th century BC. The word ''pankha'' originated from ''pankh'', the wings of a bird which produce a current of air when flapped. History In its original sense in the In ...

fans were provided only in 1st and 2nd class. The cars were fitted with

vacuum brake The vacuum brake is a brake, braking system employed on trains and introduced in the mid-1860s. A variant, the automatic vacuum brake system, became almost universal in British train equipment and in countries influenced by British practice. Va ...

and passenger alarm signal.

Train composition

The train was composed in the following way: * Locomotive * Combination car with baggage compartment, guard compartment, 3rd class seating with compartments for Indian women and 3rd class refreshment bar * 3rd class chair car * 2nd class car with chair seating as well as two compartments and a cloakroom * Composite car containing 1st and 2nd chair class and 1st class compartments *

Dining car A dining car (American English) or a restaurant car (British English), also a diner, is a passenger railroad car that serves meals in the manner of a full-service, sit-down restaurant. These cars provide the highest level of service of any rai ...

* 1st class

parlor car A parlor car (or parlour car outside the U.S.) is a type of passenger car (rail), passenger coach that provides superior comforts and amenities compared to a standard coach. History Parlor cars came about on United States railroads to address ...

with smoking room and ladies's

boudoir A (; ) is a woman's private sitting room or salon in a furnished residence, usually between the dining room and the bedroom, but can also refer to a woman's private bedroom. The term derives from the French verb ''bouder'' (to sulk or pout ...

* Combination car with baggage, post office and guard facilities and 3rd class chair compartment for Europeans.

Traction

The train was pulled by a 4-6-0 steam engine from Mumbai to the beginning of the 1:37-inclined

Bhor Ghat Bhor Ghat is a mountain pass located between and for railway and between Khopoli and Khandala on the road route in Maharashtra, India, on the crest of the Western Ghats. History In February 1781, Bhorghat was the site of a battle between ...

mountain pass. At

Karjat Karjat (Pronunciation: əɾd͡zət̪ is a city administered under a Municipal Council in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It forms a part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and is located approximately from both Mumbai and Pune ...

, the power was changed to two 0-4-0T engines, which brought the train up the Ghat. At

Lonavala Lonavala-Khandala is a hill station and a Municipal Council in the Pune district, Maharashtra, India. It is about west of Pune and to the east of Mumbai. It is known for its production of the hard candy '' chikki'' and is also a major stop on t ...

, the power was changed again to one single 4-coupled engine for the rest of the long journey to Pune.

References