A ‘Mail’ of 153 years

 

Chennai-Mumbai Mail at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (T)

            Asia’s first rail line was opened for traffic from Bori Bandar (Mumbai) to Tannah (Thane) on 16^th April 1853. After that the rail network in India started spreading rapidly. The rail lines from Bombay (now Mumbai) were being laid in north-east as well as south-east directions. On the other side, the construction of the rail lines from Madras (now Chennai) towards its west, north and south directions had also begun. Finally, lines coming from Bombay and Madras met each other in 1870 at Raichur and direct rail connectivity was established between these Presidency capitals.

Immediately after opening of Bombay-Madras line a through Mail train – Bombay-Madras Mail was introduced on 15^th March 1871. Nowadays she runs between CSMT Mumbai and Chennai Egmore. In initial days the down Mail for Madras used to left Bori Bandar at 21:30 hours and reach Madras at 7:50 hours on third day. In those days the departure timing of Bombay-Madras Mail was based on the arrival of Steamer from London to Bombay.

            Meanwhile, work of new rail line between Wadi Junction and Secunderabad was completed, and that line was opened for traffic in 1874. As a result, Hyderabad-Secunderabad region got direct railway connectivity to Bombay. A through coach service was introduced between Bombay and Secunderabad. That coach was running with Bombay-Madras Mail between Bombay and Wadi Junction. That service continued till introduction a dedicated train service between Mumbai and Hyderabad.

The Bombay-Madras Mail was also running with two through coaches carrying passengers travelling between Madras and Delhi. Those coaches were called as Grand Trunk (GT) Express. The GT Express used to run combined with the Bombay-Madras Mail between Madras and Daund Junction. Those through coaches used to decouple from this Mail at Daund Junction and attach to a Manmad-bound train for further journey. That practice continued till opening of the direct rail line between Delhi and Madras via Nagpur in 1929.

After introduction of Maharashtra Express between Kolhapur (now Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus) and Nagpur Junction the Mumbai-Chennai Mail started carrying two through coaches (1 Second Class Sleeper and 1 Unreserved coach) with her. They were meant for passengers travelling between Solapur and Nagpur Jn, later the service was extended till Gondia Jn. Those coaches were running between Solapur and Daund Jn with Mumbai-Chennai Mail. Few years ago, Solapur-Gondia through coach service had been permanently discontinued. Now Mumbai-Chennai Mail is running without any slip coach and her rake now consists of 1 AC-2 tier, 4 AC-3 tier, 9 Second Class Sleeper, 2 Unreserved and 2 Second Seating cum Guard cum Parcel Vans totaling 18 coaches. Since 2020 this Mail runs without a Pantry Car and an RMS coach.

The main line from Victoria Terminus, Bombay (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) to Poona (now Pune) of Great Indian Peninsular Railway (G.I.P.R.) was electrified in 1929-30. Then an electric locomotive started hauling Bombay-Madras Mail between Bombay VT and Poona and a steam locomotive used to haul this train between Poona and Madras. In late 1960s a diesel locomotive started hauling her on non-electrified route between Pune and Chennai. Around 2010 a diesel locomotive became the main work-horse of this Mail from start to end. Before electrification of entire route from Mumbai to Chennai a diesel loco from Kalyan loco shed was hauling this mail between Mumbai and Wadi Jn and an AC electric locomotive between Wadi Jn and Chennai Egmore. Now an electric locomotive hauling the Mail from start to end.

Chennai-Mumbai Mail departed from Guntakal Jn.

After independence the Mumbai–Chennai Mail was speeded up. As a result, she started covering the distance of 1293 kms in 26 hours 30 minutes. Her number was 6009 DN and 6010 UP, then it was changed as 11027 DN and 11028 UP. This Mail has been speeded up in her 150^th year of service once again. On 15^th November 2021 the Mumbai-Chennai Mail received “Superfast” status and her number was again changed to 22157/58. Now she takes around 23 hours and 20 minutes to complete her journey. Her terminal has also been changed in 2019 from MGR Chennai Central to Chennai Egmore. Now Mumbai-Chennai Mail departs Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai (CSMT) at 22:55 hours and reaches Chennai Egmore on next day at 22:15 hours. She departs from MGR Chennai Central at 6:20 and reaches CSMT on next day at 5:50 in the morning.