In a profession once dominated entirely by men, Surekha Yadav made history. Now, after 36 years of trailblazing service, Asia’s first woman train driver is set to retire on September 30.

From the powerful goods trains to Mumbai’s bustling locals, and from the iconic Deccan Queen to the high-speed Vande Bharat Express, Surekha has driven them all. Her journey is a story of courage, resilience, and breaking barriers.

Born in Satara, Maharashtra, Surekha didn’t always dream of becoming a train driver. But once she joined Indian Railways in 1989 as an Assistant Driver, there was no looking back.

She moved up the ranks steadily, becoming a goods train driver in 1996, a local motorwoman in 2000, and later handling one of the most challenging stretches in the country, the Bhor Ghat section between Mumbai and Pune.

In 2011, she became the first woman to drive the Deccan Queen, and in 2023, she was at the helm of the Vande Bharat Express between Solapur and Mumbai. Surekha was also part of an all-women crew that operated a special local train on International Women’s Day, a moment of pride for Indian Railways.

Speaking about her early days, Surekha recalled how locomotive cabins were once seen as a men-only zone. But thanks to her determination and the support of her family, including her husband, a police officer, and her two sons, who are engineers, she not only entered the profession but also inspired thousands of women across India.

Today, over 1,500 women drive trains across the country, a change that began with Surekha’s first step into the loco cabin.

Surekha was given a heartwarming farewell by colleagues at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) after arriving on board the Rajdhani Express from Igatpuri. Smiling and dressed in her blue blazer, she received a heroic welcome.

“A true trailblazer, she broke barriers, inspired countless women, and proved that no dream is beyond reach,” said a spokesperson for Central Railway. “Her journey will forever remain a symbol of women empowerment in Indian Railways.”