Turkey - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

TCDD has not published a timetable for many years and this list is based on the public timetables contained in the TCDD journey planner website as at December 2023. It is understood that a new timetable was introduced on 10 December 2023, in line with European railways.

Standard abbreviations are explained here. In the absence of timetable table numbers, each line's TCDD Bölge (administrative/operational region) is given, namely: 1 Istanbul (Haydarpaşa), both European and Asian Turkey; 2 Ankara; 3 Izmir (Alsancak); 4 Sivas; 5 Malatya; 6 Adana and 7 Afyonkarahisar.

The TCDD website is sometimes not updated to represent the actual situation. Trains may remain on the site when they have been cancelled, curtailed or amended. Prospective passengers should check carefully any notes (which are in Turkish only) relating to trains.

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. The European Railway Atlas (Regional Series) by M.G. Ball does not cover Turkey.

Obscure services

Polatli avoiding line: Km.456+029 HZ – Km 5+691 HZ

[Bölge 2] (ERA–E 112C4) TR24/1

This west <==> south curve south west of Polatli connects the Eskişehir (- İstanbul) and Konya (- Karaman) high speed lines. It is used by high speed services (Yüksek Hizli Tren) between İstanbul and Konya/Karaman.

(Ankara –) Sincan – Polatli – Eskişehir – Esentepe (– İstanbul)

[Bölge 2] (ERA–E 112C4) TR24/2

There are two largely parallel lines between Sincan and Esentepe, which is about 30 km south of Arifiye: the original 'classic' single track Ankara – İstanbul main line and the Ankara - Eskişehir - Arifiye high speed line. Note that the high speed line will be extended beyond Esentepe at some point. The only trains using the 'classic' line are local services between Ankara and Polatli, plus the following long distance trains.

See note below		22006 İzmir Mavi	20:00 Ankara - İzmir Basmane
		22001 Ankara Ekspresi	22:00 Ankara - İstanbul (Halkali)
See note below		32005 İzmir Mavi	İzmir Basmane - 05:10 Eskişehir - Ankara
		12002 Ankara Ekspresi	22:00 İstanbul (Halkali) - Ankara

Note that the İzmir services use the 'classic' line only between Ankara and Eskişehir, so only the İstanbul services cover the whole line to Esentepe.

Eskişehir avoiding line (Km 2.2 – Km 310.2)

[Bölge 7] (ERA 112B4) TR24/3

This west <==> south curve connects the İstanbul and Afyon lines, avoiding Eskişehir station.

It is thought that it is used by single ended diesel locomotive hauled trains from Kütahya to Eskişehir, which reverse at the west junction and propel into the station to avoid the locomotive having to run round. This was observed on a video of train 72601 06.00 Tavşanlı to Eskişehir. The compilers would appreciate details of any other train observed taking this route.

Alayunt triangle

[Bölge 7] (ERA–E 112B4) TR24/4

All trains between Eskişehir and Afyon run via Kütahya, using the north <=> west and west <=> south curves of the triangle and calling at Alayunt Müselles when traversing the latter curve. The north <=> south curve thus has no service. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

Kütahya loop

[Bölge 7] (ERA–E 112B4, not shown) TR24/5

In order to avoid reversing, locomotive hauled trains between Eskişehir and Kütahya which either continue to Afyon or terminate at Kütahya run via this loop line which diverges to the north, east of Kütahya, enabling them to approach the station from the west. It is always used prior to arrival at Kütahya. Trains which are diesel units do not use the loop.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

		72014 Pamukkale Ekspresi	11:10 Eskişehir - Denizli
		72013 Pamukkale Ekspresi	Denizli - 16:23 Çöğürler - Eskişehir

As at December 2022, the local trains with train numbers in the range 72601 - 72608, were being worked by units, and hence reversed at Kütahya and did not use the loop. They may be locomotive hauled as at December 2023, although it is thought that the Afyon <> Eskişehir trains 72607/72608 are units again as at January 2024. The Compilers would greatly appreciate information on the present situation.

Karakuyu loop

[Bölge 7] (ERA–E 112B3, not shown) TR24/6

The line from Afyon divides into a balloon loop north of Karakuyu, giving two connections into Karakuyu station. One loop runs into the east end and can be used by trains between Afyon and Izmir via Goncali in order to avoid reversal. The other runs into the west end and can be used by trains between Afyon and Isparta to avoid reversal; however there are no longer such passenger services.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

Based on their timings, the following trains must use the east end loop:

		72014 Pamukkale Ekspresi	Eskişehir - 16:38 Ekinova - Denizli
		72013 Pamukkale Ekspresi	Denizli - 12:29 Karakuyu - Eskişehir

Afyonkarahisar loop

[Bölge 7] (ERA–E 112B3, not shown) TR24/7

Afyonkarahisar Ali Çetinkaya station (abbreviated hereafter to Afyon) is equipped with a loop line which leaves the station in a south-easterly direction and turns to the north-east, joining the Eskişehir line. This enables trains between Eskişehir and either of the routes to Izmir (via Uşak or via Karakuyu) to avoid reversal.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

The loop appears to be used on departure from Afyon.

		72014 Pamukkale Ekspresi	Eskişehir - 14:57 Afyon A.Çetinkaya - Denizli
		72013 Pamukkale Ekspresi	Denizli - 14:50 Afyon A.Çetinkaya - Eskişehir

Goncali triangle

[Bölge 7] (ERA–E 112B3) TR24/8

There is a triangle south of Goncali station whose usage is as follows:

north - west curve (Goncali – Goncali Müselles)

Trains between Izmir/Söke and Denizli, and also

72014 Pamukkale Ekspresi

Eskişehir - 19:48 Goncali - Denizli. The train reverses at Goncalı

north - east curve (Goncali – Kaklık (– Çardak))

72014 Pamukkale Ekspresi

Eskişehir - 19:06 Kaklık - Denizli

east – west curve ((Çardak –) Kaklık – Goncali Müselles)

		32015 Göller Ekspresi	İzmir Basmane - 04:08 Denizli – Isparta
		72013 Pamukkale Ekspresi	09:45 Denizli - Eskişehir
		32013 Güller Ekspresi	İzmir Basmane - 15:34 Denizli – Isparta
		72016 Göller Ekspresi	Isparta - 01:04 Kaklık – İzmir Basmane
		72012 Güller Ekspresi	Isparta - 13:36 Kaklık – İzmir Basmane

Note: Goncali Müselles is a basic request halt on the avoiding line at the west junction. There is no platform or station infrastructure here.

Malatya avoiding line: Sitmapinar – Km 247.8

[Bölge 5] (ERA–E 113A3) TR24/9

This north <=> west curve links the lines from Sivas and Adana.

When there is engineering work between Elazığ and Tatvan, the Vangölü Ekspresi from Ankara to Tatvan is terminated at Elazığ. The stock needs to be turned but there is no facility at or near Elazig to facilitate this. The train therefore runs via the Malatya avoiding line and propels into the station. The locomotive has a cab at only one end, so it runs back light engine round all three sides of the triangle and then attaches to what is now the front of the train, before continuing to Elaziğ. Note that this applies only on the outward run from Ankara to Malatya.

Other sparse services

The following lines have few trains (relative to service levels generally in this country) - fewer than three trains each way on at least three days a week - or do not run each weekday.

(İstanbul, Halkali -) Çerkezköy - Edirne - Kapikule - Svilengrad (Bulgaria)	Bölge 1	(ERA 112B4 - 112A5)	One regional train each way per day between Halkali and Edirne and one each way between Halkali and Kapikule. There is now a more frequent service between Halkali and Çerkezköy, although these trains do not appear in the Bölgesel Trenler (Regional Trains) page. The Istanbul-Sofia Express runs nightly between Halkali and Sofia. The Optima Express car carrying train runs via this route. The train runs once or twice per week in each direction between Villach (Austria) and Edirne (Turkey), between May and November. Foot passenger bookings may also be made.
(İstanbul, Halkali - Çerkezköy -) Sazlımalkoç - Uzunköprü (Greek border)	Bölge 1	(ERA 112A4)	One regional train each way per day between Halkali and Uzunköprü
Irmak - Çankiri - Karabük - Filyos - Zonguldak	Bölge 2	(ERA 112C4)	Trains are running only between Karabük and Zonguldak owing to engineering work.
(Kayseri -) Boğazköprü - Niğde - Ulukışla (- Adana)	Bölge 2	(ERA 112C3)	The Erciyes Ekspresi, running overnight between Kayseri and Adana, is the only train over this line.
Balıkesir - Bandirma Şehir	Bölge 3	(ERA 112B4)	One train each way, the 6 Eylül Ekspresi to and from İzmir. There is a connection at Bandirma for high speed ferries to İstanbul Yenikapı.
Karakuyu - Isparta	Bölge 3	(ERA 112B3)	The Göller Ekspresi and Güller Ekspresi to and from İzmir are the only trains over this line.
Uşak - Afyonkarahisar Ali Çetinkaya	Bölge 7	(ERA 112B3)	The Konya Mavi, running overnight between Izmir and Konya, is the only train over this line
Afyonkarahisar Ali Çetinkaya - Karakuyu	Bölge 7	(ERA 112B3)	The Pamukkale Ekspresi between Eskişehir and Denizli is the only train over this line.
Afyonkarahisar Ali Çetinkaya – Konya	Bölge 7	(ERA 112B3 - 112C3)	The Konya Mavi, running overnight between Izmir and Konya, is the only train over this line.
(Konya -) Karaman - Ulukışla (- Adana)	Bölge 6	(ERA 112C3)	The Toros Ekspresi, between Adana and Konya, is the only train between Karaman and Ulukışla. This and the Erciyes Ekspresi are the only trains between Ulukışla and Adana.
(Sivas -) Kalin - Amasya Samsun	Bölge 4	(ERA 113A4 - 113A5)	One train each way MThSO from Sivas and TFSuO from Samsun plus some locals on intermediate sections.
Erzincan - Erzurum - Kars	Bölge 4	(ERA 113B4)	The Dogu Ekspresi runs daily between Ankara and Kars, conveying couchette cars. The Turistik Doğu Ekspresi, conveying sleeping cars, runs three times a week between Ankara and Kars: MWFO from Ankara and WFSuO from Kars, until March 2024.
Kars - Akyaka	Bölge 4	(ERA 113C4)	Two local trains daily between Kars and Akyaka, on the border with Armenia.
Çetinkaya - Malatya	Bölge 5	(ERA 113A3 - ERA 113A4)	2/3 trains a day. A local train runs daily between Malatya and Sivas. The 4 Eylül Mavi runs FSuO between Ankara and Malatya. A daily train between Ankara and Malatya continues 5 days a week as the Güney Kurtalan Ekspresi to/from Kurtalan and 2 days a week as the Vangölü Ekspresi to/from Tatvan.
(Malatya -) Yolcati - Elaziğ - Genç - Tatvan Gar	Bölge 5	(ERA 113B3)	The Vangölü Ekspresi runs 2 days a week between Ankara and Tatvan Gar. It departs Ankara on Tuesdays and Sundays (Elaziğ a day later) and Tatvan Gar on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On other days a local train runs between Elaziğ and Tatvan Gar in the same timings.
(Malatya -) Yolcati - Diyarbakır - Batman - Kurtalan	Bölge 5	(ERA 113B3)	The Güney-Ekspresi runs 5 days a week between Ankara and Kurtalan. There are two local trains a day between Diyarbakır and Batman.
Malatya - Fevzipasa - Toprakkale	Bölge 5	(ERA 113A3)	One train each way, the Firat Ekspresi, ran daily between Elaziğ and Adana. THIS TRAIN IS AT PRESENT SUSPENDED OWING TO EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE
Fevzipaşa – İslahiye	Bölge 6	(ERA 113A3)	One local train a day ran each way: early morning from İslahiye and late evening back. THIS TRAIN IS AT PRESENT SUSPENDED OWING TO EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE
Gaziantep - Nizip	Bölge 6	(ERA 113A3)	Two trains a day each way

Deletions since previous edition

Bölge 3

Ortaklar - Söke

Now three trains each way a day.