This Indian Train Was So Famous For Being On Time That People Set Their Watches By It

News18

2 days ago

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Running from Mumbai to Delhi and later to Peshawar, this train was called the most famous express within the British Empire by London's 'The Times' in 1930
Train delays are a common complaint among railway passengers in India, with commuters often frustrated by schedules not being adhered to. Indian Railways has been making consistent efforts to ensure punctuality, and in some divisions, occupancy rates have exceeded 95 percent.
Yet, there is one train in the history of Indian Railways that earned a reputation for never being late, a train so punctual that people used to set their watches by it. Interestingly, an inquiry was reportedly launched once when this train was delayed by a mere 15 minutes.
Currently, more than 12,000 trains operate across the country, including premium trains such as Vande Bharat, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, as well as mail, express, passenger, and local services.
According to Indian Railways data, Vande Bharat trains recorded a 95 percent occupancy rate in 2023-24. While rules state that a delay of under 15 minutes is not considered late and refunds are only provided if a train is delayed by three hours or more, earlier protocols included investigations even for minimal delays.
The Legendary Frontier Mail
Frontier Mail was among the most prestigious trains of its era, running from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Peshawar (now in Pakistan). Its route covered Mumbai, Vadodara, Delhi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
The Times in 1930 as the most famous express train within the British Empire.
Punctuality That Made History
The train earned a legendary reputation for punctuality, with the popular saying that a clock might be late, but the Frontier Mail never was. On one rare occasion, when the train was delayed by 15 minutes, authorities reportedly ordered a full inquiry. Railway archives reveal that when the train reached Mumbai, high-rise buildings were specially illuminated to signal its safe arrival to the city.
The Frontier Mail still runs today. After India's independence, its route was altered to operate between Mumbai and Amritsar, and in 1996, the train was renamed the Golden Temple Mail. Despite changes in route and name, the train continues to retain its historical significance and legacy of reliability.
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