Celebrating the 75th b'day of the Deccan Queen !. Pune Jn, 1st June 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The cake being cut for the DQ's party. Pune Jn, 1st June 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

DQ departs, the party is over, janata disperses, the IRFCA members are the only ones who stay back to enjoy the morning. Note the cut down size of the DQ rake - it was 18-19 coaches just a while back, now it is 14 coaches and there is no dining car!. Pun

Guntakal WDM 2A # 17178 hauls the empty BCCN rake towards Daund as the DQ departs on the other line. The same BCCN rake normally crosses the Pragati Express at Pune Jn on a daily basis - which should be about 30 minutes later than this time. Pune Jn, 1st

Pune's WDM 3A # 18767R leaving the rake of the 1014 CBE-LTT express after arrival at home. The loco has worked this train between SBC to PA. Pune Jn, 1st June 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Kalyan shed's WCAM 3 # 21951 moves to take charge of the 1014 Up. Pune Jn, 1st June 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

WCAM 3 # 21951 moving towards pf 1 to couple to the 1014 rake. Pune Jn, 1st June 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

This young girl is a rangoli whiz. She never took her eyes off the oncoming loco and yet could complete a neat pretty design. DQ 75th year bash, 2004-06-01. By John Mani.

Rangoli's complete, and WCAM3 21949 awaits the celebrations while being coupled to the Queen. DQ 75th year bash, Pune, 2004-06-01. By John Mani.

New Poona Bakery employees I guess, who became self-conscious in front of their creation - DQ cake!. DQ 75th year bash, Pune, 2004-06-01. By John Mani.

Taking it all in - the scribe looks to the Ex-Mayor for inspiration, and the onlookers, urchins, Army man, mechanic, all unwittingly destroy the rangoli design. DQ 75th year bash, Pune, 2004-06-01. By John Mani.

Check out the over enthusiatic cameraman atop the OHE van. DQ 75th year bash, Pune, 2004-06-01. By John Mani.

This one is for the DQ fans. The Deccan Queen gets the same diesel loco as yesterday, a Kalyan WDG3A baldie #14558. Due to RRI related work at PUNE(April 18-20th 2008), most of the trains are getting a diesel loco between Pune and Lonavla.

just a little 'zhalak'! the Deccan Queen was pulled by a diesel loco today. Watch this space for more, and better photos...!