Mumbai-Surat Flying Ranee phased out, replaced by upgraded LHB version

An old picture of Flying Ranee. File Pic

Regular non-AC double decker trains are also vanishing now. The double decker express train Mumbai-Surat Flying Ranee has been phased out starting today, and a new upgraded version of regular trains will now be in service, although not as double deckers. The only remaining non-AC double decker train on Indian Railways is the Valsad Fast Passenger between Mumbai and Valsad. A new trend has emerged with the manufacturing of AC double decker trains, although very few are currently in service, and they are no longer being manufactured.

The last public service run of the non-AC double decker train took place this morning when it arrived at Mumbai Central at 9:50 am.

"To enhance the travel experience and provide more comfort, Western Railway has decided to replace the conventional rake of Train No. 12921/12922 Mumbai Central - Surat Flying Ranee Express with an LHB rake. Minister of State for Railways & Textile, Darshana Jardosh, flagged off the newly-converted train from Mumbai Central station on Sunday evening and traveled on it," said Sumit Thakur, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway.

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Thakur further explained that the new train will consist of 21 coaches, including AC Chair Car (reserved), Second Class Seating (7 coaches reserved, 1 coach for First Class MST passholders, and 6 coaches unreserved), and General Second Class coaches (1 coach general, 1 coach for Second Class MST passholders, 1 coach for ladies, and 1 coach for Second Class MST ladies passholders). This change will provide comfort to passengers and increase safety.

"We regularly travel by the train to Surat. Although we have emotional attachment to the old train, the seating arrangement had poor ergonomics and was very uncomfortable for travel," said commuter Rajendra Vishwakarma.

"Why not have a double decker in the new version? Actually, on many trunk routes, highly used trains like the Flying Ranee should have double deckers. We need more capacity in the same train. I'm not sure why Indian Railways is not so keen on double deckers. Wasn't a double decker sleeper design in the works? Can 1-2 coaches be introduced?" questioned another commuter, Anand Parekh.

History in a nutshell:

The Mumbai-Surat Flying Ranee Express first started operating in 1906. The train was named Flying Ranee by the wife of the then District Superintendent of Bulsar (now Valsad) at Bombay Central in front of a large gathering. Although it was stopped intermittently, it has been on the tracks since around 1950. This iconic train has been serving the needs of people traveling between Mumbai and Surat with dedication. In 1965, the Flying Ranee achieved another milestone when it was declared the fastest medium-distance train in the country. At the same time, it changed colors and was given a distinct light and dark coat of blue by Western Railway. In November 1976, the train was painted in shades of light and dark green. It then started running on electric traction from June 1977. On December 18, 1979, the Flying Ranee became the first train in the history of Indian Railways to be equipped with double-decker coaches. This train is popular among passengers, merchants, and traders as it connects the two commercial centers.