Mumbai Rajdhani Express | Bombay Rajdhani Express | 12951-12952| History

The 12951/12952 Mumbai Rajdhani Express was inaugurated on 17 May 1972. When inaugurated the train was hauled by a single re-geared WDM2 ALCo diesel-electric locomotive of the Ratlam shed. As electrification progressed on the Delhi-Bombay line, the WDM2 was replaced with a WAP-1 class electric locomotive. By 1987, the entire Delhi-Mumbai route was electrified paving the way for through electric traction. But there was a problem, the Bombay territory was under 1500 V DC electric traction! The train was hauled up to Vadodara by a WAP-1. At Vadodara, the train was handed over to twin WDM2s from the Ratlam shed who would take the train to Bombay Central. With the arrival of the WCAM-2P AC-DC dual traction locomotives in 1993, the now-iconic twin WDM2s that characterized the Bombay Rajdhani express were retired. At the same time, WAP-1 locomotives gave way to the WAP-4s. The entry of 3-phase AC WAP-5 and WAP-7 locomotives, saw the baton changing hands once again from the WAP-4 to the WAP-5 and then the WAP-7. In December 2003 the Rajdhani shifted from the ICF to LHB coaches. With the Bombay territory now under 25 KV AC traction a WAP-7 takes the train from Delhi all the way to Mumbai Central.
In this video, I present a timeline of the developments and upgrades to this iconic train. Please share your views, comments, and corrections [if required :)] in the comments sections.