Golden Temple Mail

The "Golden Temple Mail", previously known as the "Frontier Mail", is one of the oldest running train routes in India, itself boasting one of the oldest and largest rail networks still in operation today.

In its original form, the "Frontier Mail" connected Bombay (now Mumbai) and Peshawar, in Northwest Frontier Province of the then-undivided India. After the Partition of India, the "Frontier Mail" connected Mumbai and Amritsar. In 1996, it was renamed the "Golden Temple Mail" (#2903) after the Golden Temple, one of the holiest shrines in the Sikh religion.

History

The "Frontier Mail" made its debut on 1 September, 1928. When it was first introduced, the train ran between Colaba, Mumbai and Peshawar in present day Pakistan. Soon, the train was able to lay claim to being India's fastest long distance train. In 1930, "The Times" of London described this train as "one of the most famous express trains within the British Empire." During the autumn months between September and December, the train used to depart from the Ballard Pier Mole station. This was for the convenience of the British who arrived in India by steamer.

The "Frontier Mail" attained another first, when it got an air-conditioned compartment in 1934. It was one of the first trains in India to achieve this distinction.

Today, the "Golden Temple Mail" runs between Mumbai Central and Amritsar Junction in about 32 hours, with 33 intermediate stops.

External links

* http://irfca.org/~shankie/famoustrains/famtrainfrontier.htm
* [http://indiarailinfo.com/train/map/537/344/297 Golden Temple Mail Route Map]