First AC train in undivided India
The Frontier Mail started on September 1, 1928, from Ballard Pier station in Mumbai to Peshawar (now in Pakistan), via Delhi, Bathinda, Ferozepur and Lahore. It started from the Ballard Pier station for the convenience of the Britishers who arrived in India by steamer. From March 1, 1930, the train was routed through Saharanpur, Ambala and Amritsar. After Partition, Amritsar became the terminal station.
Innovative air conditioning
The AC facility was introduced in the year 1934. It was very basic at the time – the railways used ice slabs in sealed receptacles beneath the car floor to cool the first-class coaches, which could be used only by the British before Independence. The ice blocks would be replenished at halts along the way
Attention to detail
The train's dining car setting was elaborate with great attention to detail. It also had a pantry car facility which continues till today
From steam to electric
When the train started, it used to run at a speed of around 60km per hour with steam locomotives. It now uses electric locomotives. In 1930, The Times, a newspaper in London, described it as one of the most famous trains under the British Empire. It used to be the fastest long-distance train in the Indian subcontinent
Known for its punctuality
The train was known for its punctuality and it was said "your Rolex watch can ditch you, but not the Frontier Mail". On one occasion, in August 1929, when the train arrived 15 minutes late, there was huge uproar over the delay
Travelling in comfort
Each first-class coach had its own toilet, specially-constructed berths and comfortable chairs
Means of communication
Telegrams were sent through the train guard, who used to hand it to the station master at the given station. Mail was sent to Europe via the sea route from Bombay
Renamed in 1966
In September 1966, it was renamed Golden Temple Mail. It now halts at 35 stations and covers 1,893km in one journey. It can carry 1,300 passengers in 24 coaches
Shadow of its former glory
The Golden Temple Mail, that runs between Amritsar and Mumbai Central, presently retains very little of its past glory. According to Rajesh Aggarwal, Ferozepur divisional railway manager, the coaches would soon be replaced by state-of-the-art German Linke Hofmann Busch coaches, which are comfortable and designed for high speed