Taj Express
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History
Arvind Chauhan, Taj Express ride: From luxe to local, October 1, 2017: The Times of India
Much before the Gatimaan and Shatabdi Express captured the hearts of commuters with highspeed service between New Delhi and Agra, a similar train appeared in Northern India 53 years ago. This was the Taj Express, which was started along the lines of Deccan Queen and provided quick and comfortable journey between Agra and Delhi in just 2 hours 35 minutes.
Back in 1964 when Taj Express was commissioned, it was pulled by steam engine covered with shining brass metal strip giving a royal feel, while the coaches were painted in blue and yellow strips.The train had the top speed of 105 kmph. Later at the time of the Asian Games in 1982, the Taj Express was put under diesel traction.The train's livery too was changed to drab maroon.However, diesel traction was short lived, and by 1986, the train was under electric power.
Popular among tourists, especially those from abroad, the train is now preferred by daily commuters, who travel to Delhi and back for just Rs 180. In the 1980s, it cost just Rs 19 for single journey in a chair car. According to railways officials, the train's popularity in 80s was so immense, that in 1987, Karan Singh, descendant from royal family of Hari Singh (last ruler of J&K), booked entire train for his son's wedding Vikramaditya Singh and took entire family and relatives for marriage procession to Gwalior.
Speaking to TOI, Mukesh Kumar Kulshetra, the current station manager of Agra cant, who travelled in Taj Express several times during his college days, said, “The craze of Taj Express was more than what today's tourist or passengers feels when they travel in India's fastest train Gatimaan. The train used to ply six days a week and scores of foreign dignitaries and other tourist preferred to travel to Agra in Taj Express. The train had special dining and staff to cater in less than threehour journey .“
Sanchit Tyagi, divisional commercial manager of Agra division, said, “Due to the introduction of Shatabdi and Gatimaan, the Taj has became much more accessible to those who wanted to travel at low cost. It is still very popular train but most of the passengers are daily commuters, unlike the foreign tourist who travelled in India back in 60s-80s period,“ he added.
