Turkey - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
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Introduction
This list is based on the working timetable dated 1 October 1999 (valid until further notice), unless otherwise shown. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information. Due to the lack of published timetables for Turkey and the substantial inaccuracy of commercial publications, train timings have been indicated as far as available.
In rural areas and on branch lines TCDD often operates mixed trains (karma). These trains are subject to timetable alterations without any prior notice, frequently on an ad-hoc basis and arrival times may substantially vary from booked times. Karma trains should not be used without prior local confirmation. Only where positive reference to a confirmation is made in the below listing, can it be reasonably assumed that the train will operate as shown.
Travelling in the South-East: Due to the circumstances in South-East Anatolia trains have been frequently subject to cancellations and suspensions in the past. As the situation has eased in recent times, there is no general problem to safety of passengers, and trains can be used whenever they are running. Nevertheless, any change in the political climate may result in short notice suspensions, independent from any information contained herein.
Obscure or Sparse services
This document has been split according to TCDD's Bölge (administrative/operational regions), which are Istanbul (Europe and Asia), Ankara, Izmir, Sivas, Malatya, Adana and Afyon.
Region 1 - İstanbul
Obscure lines
None.
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.
Kapıkule - Svilengrad (Bulgaria)
TR00/01
A single track non-electrified line.
81032 | [Bosphorus-Express] (train not confirmed, check locally) İstanbul Sirkeci 21:50 - Kapıkule arr. 02:20 - Svilengrad - Bucureşti Nord | ||
81031 | [Bosphorus-Express] (train not confirmed, check locally) Bucureşti Nord - Svilengrad - Kapıkule dept.02:25 - İstanbul Sirkeci 06:55 | ||
E | 81034/ 44/494 | [Trakia-Express] İstanbul Sirkeci 15:10 - Kapıkule 19:43/20:45 - Svilengrad 21:05/21:45 - Bucureşti Nord 09:40 (until 14.09.2000) | |
E | 495/45/ 81033 | [Trakia-Express] Bucureşti Nord 17:15 - Svilengrad 04:10/05:00 - Kapıkule 05:20/06:15 - İstanbul Sirkeci 10:45 (until 15.09.2000) | |
E | 81204/ 10 | [Marica-Express] İstanbul Sirkeci 09:30 - Kapıkule 13:58/14:40 - Svilengrad 15:00/15:40 - Sofia 20:15 (until 24.09.2000) | |
E | 11/ 81203 | [Marica-Express] Sofia 08:15 - Svilengrad 12:35/13:10 - Kapıkule 13:30/14:20 - İstanbul Sirkeci 18:45 (until 23.09.2000) |
Uzunköprü - Pythion (Greece)
TR00/02
A single track non-electrified line.
81712 | [Selanik-Ekspresi] İstanbul Sirkeci 08:20 - Uzunköprü 13:25/14:30 - Pythion 14:55 (IC 91: Pythion 15:50 - Thessaloniki 23:19) | ||
81711 | [Selanik-Ekspresi] (IC 90: Thessaloniki 07:25 - Pythion arr. 14:35) Pythion 15:30 - Uzunköprü 15:55/16:30 - İstanbul Sirkeci 21:25 |
Eskişehir avoiding line
TR00/03
An electrified track connecting from the Afyon to the İstanbul line, avoiding Eskişehir station. All trains booked to call at Eskişehir Enveriye are running on this curve. Change of traction in Enveriye.
D | WFSuO | 71303/ 11303 | [Toros-Ekspresi] Gazi Antep - Eskişehir Enveriye 11:44/11:55 - İstanbul Haydarpaşa |
D | TThSuO | 71304/ 11304 | [Toros-Ekspresi] İstanbul Haydarpaşa - Eskişehir Enveriye 14:19/14:28 - Gazi Antep |
During night hours, Meram Ekspresi İstanbul - Konya - İstanbul (11319/11320), Pamukkale Ekspresi İstanbul - Denizli/Burdur/Eğirdir - İstanbul (11321/11322) and İçanadolu Mavi Treni İstanbul - Ereğli - İstanbul (11125/11126) also operate via this curve.
Region 2 - Ankara
Obscure lines
Armutçuk - Çataldere - Ereğli
is a remainder of the former Zonguldak - Ereğli line and its branch from Çataldere to Armutçuk, nowadays operated without regular connection to the TCDD main network. Four daily mixed return services from Armutçuk to Ereğli are booked, however, if these trains are open to the public and operated with passenger coaches at all is subject to local confirmation. Departures Armutçuk are booked at 00:30, 08:30, 13:00 and 17:05 (32 minutes) and Ereğli departures are at 07:10, 12:00, 15:00 and 23:00 (38 minutes).
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.
Irmak - Karabük
TR00/04
A single track non-electrified line.
21818 | [Karaelmas-Ekspresi] Ankara 08:40 - Irmak 09:43/09:45 - Karabük 16:01/16:18 - Zonguldak 19:05 | ||
21817 | [Karaelmas-Ekspresi] Zonguldak 09:20 - Karabük 12:02/12:15 - Irmak 18:30/18:32 - Ankara 20:52 |
Boğazköprü - Niğde - Ulukışla
TR00/05
A single track non-electrified line. For Boğazköprü halt on the avoiding line also see the section below (¹).
21666 | [Erciyes-Ekspresi] Kayseri 04:30 - Boğazköprü Station 04:48/04:50 - Ulukışla 07:55/08:05 - Adana 10:35 | ||
21665 | [Erciyes-Ekspresi] Adana 17:30 - Ulukışla 20:30/20:40 - Boğazköprü Station 23:40/23:42 - Kayseri 04:30 | ||
21206 | [Çukurova-Ekspresi] Ankara 20:15 - Boğazköprü halt¹ 02:39/02:41 - Ulukışla 05:40/05:50 - Adana 08:05 | ||
21205 | [Çukurova-Ekspresi] Adana 19:30 - Ulukışla 22:10/22:10 - Boğazköprü halt¹ 01:22/01:24 - Ankara 08:05 | ||
22012 | Niğde 16:00 - Ulukışla 17:05 (train not confirmed, check locally) | ||
22011 | Ulukışla 09:12 - Niğde 10:16 (train not confirmed, check locally) |
Boğazköprü avoiding line
TR00/06
A single track non-electrified south-to-west curve, connecting the Ankara with the Niğde line.
21206 | [Çukurova-Ekspresi] Ankara 20:15 - Boğazköprü halt 02:39/02:41 - Adana 08:05 | ||
21205 | [Çukurova-Ekspresi] Adana 19:30 - Boğazköprü halt 01:22/01:24 - Ankara 08:05 |
Region 3 - İzmir
Obscure lines
None.
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.
Balıkesir - Bandirma
TR00/07
A single track non-electrified line. Due to ongoing track improvement works trains are frequently subject to cancellation. Local check urgently recommended. Trains connect at Bandirma for high speed ferries to İstanbul Yenikapı.
31605 | [Marmara-Ekspresi] İzmir Basmane 08:30 - Balıkesir 12:48/12:53 - Bandirma Şehir 14:55 | ||
31606 | [Marmara-Ekspresi] Bandirma Şehir 16:05 - Balıkesir 18:06/18:11 - İzmir Basmane 22:40 |
Çatal - Tire
TR00/08
A single track non-electrified line. Weekend workings not confirmed.
32317 | Çatal 19:10 - Tire 19:24 (coming as 32303 from İzmir Basmane, dept. 17:15) | ||
32319 | Tire 19:35 - Çatal 19:50/19:53 - Ödemiş Şehir 20:33 | ||
32312 | Ödemiş Şehir 04:25 - Çatal 05:10 - Tire 05:24 | ||
32314 | Tire 05:33 - Çatal 05:46 (continues as 32302 to İzmir Basmane, arr. 07:40) |
İzmir Alsancak - Halkapınar curve
TR00/09
A single track non-electrified curve connecting İzmir Alsancak to the Manisa line. Timings of suburban services (banliö) are not confirmed.
banliö | İzmir Alsancak 05:23 - Halkapınar 05:32 - Ciğli 06:23 | ||
banliö | İzmir Alsancak 17:36 - Halkapınar 17:40 - Ciğli 18:15 | ||
banliö | Ciğli 07:51 - Halkapınar 08:23 - İzmir Alsancak 08:30 | ||
banliö | Ciğli 20:09 - Halkapınar 20:41 - İzmir Alsancak 20:46 | ||
31127 | İzmir Alsancak 18:30 - Halkapınar 18:37 - Ankara | ||
31128 | Ankara - Halkapınar 09:23 - İzmir Alsancak 09:30 |
Region 4 - Sivas
Obscure lines
(updated 20 January 2009) None.
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.
Kalın - Samsun
TR00/10
A single track non-electrified line.
D | MWFSuO | 42601 | Samsun 08:20 - Kalın 16:26/16:27 - Sivas 16:50 |
D | TThSO | 42603 | Samsun 21:30 - Kalın 05:36/05:37 - Sivas 06:00 |
D | TThSSuO | 42602 | Sivas 08:40 - Kalın 09:02/09:04 - Samsun 17:08 |
D | MWFO | 42604 | Sivas 22:30 - Kalın 22:52/22:54 - Samsun 06:57 |
42416 | Amasya 04:55 - Samsun 07:58 | ||
42417 | Samsun 19:00 - Amasya 21:51 |
Çetinkaya - Kars
TR00/11
Çetinkaya - Divriği: single track electrified line
41410 | (Doğu Ekspresi) İstanbul - Çetinkaya 07:54/08:00 - Divriği 09:24/09:29 - Kars 22:00 | ||
41409 | (Doğu Ekspresi) Kars 07:10 - Divriği 19:33/19:37 - Çetinkaya 21:05/21:13 - İstanbul | ||
karma | 42802 | Sivas 16:35 - Çetinkaya 19:25/19:39 - Divriği 21:28 | |
karma | 42801 | Divriği 05:20 - Çetinkaya 07:11/07:18 - Sivas 10:22 |
Divriği - Erzincan: single track non-electrified line
41410 | (Doğu Ekspresi) İstanbul - Divriği 09:24/09:29 - Erzincan 12:29/12:40 - Kars 22:00 | ||
41409 | (Doğu Ekspresi) Kars 07:10 - Erzincan 16:19/16:30 - Divriği 19:33/19:37 - İstanbul | ||
karma | 42822 | Divriği 06:10 - Erzincan 10:10 | |
karma | 42821 | Erzincan 14:00 - Divriği 18:16 |
Erzincan - Erzurum: single track non-electrified line
41410 | (Doğu Ekspresi) İstanbul - Erzincan 12:29/12:40 - Erzurum 17:04/17:20 - Kars 22:00 | ||
41409 | (Doğu Ekspresi) Kars 07:10 - Erzurum 11:50/12:00 - Erzincan 16:19/16:30 - İstanbul | ||
42524 | Mercan 04:00 - Erzurum 06:53 | ||
42523 | Erzurum 17:40 - Mercan 20:28 |
Erzurum - Kars: single track non-electrified line
41410 | (Doğu Ekspresi) İstanbul - Erzurum 17:04/17:20 - Kars 22:00 | ||
41409 | (Doğu Ekspresi) Kars 07:10 - Erzurum 11:50/12:00 - İstanbul | ||
42532 | Erzurum 17:45 - Horasan 19:51 | ||
42531 | Horasan 04:35 - Erzurum 06:48 | ||
karma | 42862 | Erzurum 07:45 - Kars 14:40 | |
karma | 42863 | Kars 15:45 - Erzurum 22:40 |
Kars - Doğukapı - state border
TR00/12
A single track non-electrified line.
41536 | Kars 06:00 - Akyaka 07:02 | ||
41538 | Kars 15:00 - Akyaka 16:02 | ||
42535 | Akyaka 07:30 - Kars 08:43 | ||
42537 | Akyaka 16:30 - Kars 17:43 |
Region 5 - Malatya
Obscure lines
Elazığ - Tatvan Pier
The Vangölü-Ekspresi İstanbul - Tehran is booked to operate three times weekly, but currently suspended east of Elazığ. Local mixed trains do operate, see item below.
Van Pier - Kapıköy - state border
The Vangölü-Ekspresi İstanbul - Tehran is booked to operate once per week. On this line, all passenger service is suspended.
The Lake Van ferry (railway traject) is therefore without regular passenger service and not running according to schedule. Sailing times depend on demand and the occurence of rail freight.
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.
Malatya - Çetinkaya
TR00/13
A single track electrified line.
D | TThSO | 51121 | (4 Eylül Mavi Treni) Diyarbakır 09:05 and Elazığ 12:05 - Malatya 14:41/14:55 - Çetinkaya 17:40/17:45 - Ankara |
D | MWFO | 51122 | (4 Eylül Mavi Treni) Ankara - Çetinkaya 08:57/09:01 - Malatya 11:42/11:50 - Diyarbakır 17:20 and Elazığ 14:29 |
51531/ 51541 | (Vangölü-/Güney-Ekspresi) Kurtalan 08:15 / Diyarbakır 11:36 and Elazığ 14:50 - Malatya 17:39/18:10 - Çetinkaya 21:18/21:28 - İstanbul | ||
51532/ 51542 | (Vangölü-/Güney-Ekspresi) İstanbul - Çetinkaya 21:57/22:07 - Malatya 01:07/01:35 - Diyarbakır 07:20 / Kurtalan 10:52 and Elazığ 04:34 |
Malatya - Narlı
TR00/14
A single track electrified line.
51501 | (Firat-Ekspresi) Elazığ 07:30 - Malatya 10:05/10:20 - Narlı 14:03/14:09 - Adana 18:35 | ||
51502 | (Firat-Ekspresi) Adana 08:40- Narlı 13:19/13:29 - Malatya 17:20/17:40 - Elazığ 20:15 | ||
52517 | Diyarbakır 07:00 - Malatya 13:47/14:40 - Narlı 19:18/19:35 - İzmir | ||
52518 | İzmir - Narlı 21:20/21:45 - Malatya 02:22/03:50 - Diyarbakır 11:17 |
Elazığ - Tatvan
TR00/15
A single track non-electrified line. The services shown below are karma trains, and in August 2000 they have been confirmed by local railway sources.
D | TThSO karma | 52862 | Elazığ 06:30 - Tatvan 16:09 |
D | MWFO karma | 52861 | Tatvan 06:40 - Elazığ 15:27 |
Diyarbakır - Kurtalan
TR00/16
A single track non-electrified line.
D | TThSuO | 51542 | (Güney-Ekspresi) İstanbul - Diyarbakır 07:40/07:54 - Kurtalan 10:52 |
D | MWFO | 51541 | (Güney-Ekspresi) Kurtalan 08:15 - Diyarbakır 11:21/11:36 - İstanbul |
karma | 52844 | Diyarbakır 06:10 - Batman 08:52 | |
karma | 52843 | Batman 13:40 - Diyarbakır 16:18 |
Region 6 - Adana
Obscure lines
Şenyurt - Mardin
has two daily mixed trains booked which would serve as feeders for the Gazi Antep - Nusaybin trains at Şenyurt . Traffic on this line however appears to be suspended.
Köprüağzı - Kahraman Maraş
has three daily mixed trains booked. Traffic on this line however appears to be suspended.
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.
Gazi Antep - Nusaybin
TR00/17
A single track non-electrified line. The services shown below are karma trains, and in August 2000 they have been confirmed by local railway sources.
D | TThSuO karma | 52952 | Gazi Antep 07:00 - Nusaybin 17:15 |
D | MWFO karma | 52861 | Nusaybin 06:30 - Gazi Antep 17:18 |
Narlı - Gazi Antep
TR00/18
A single track non-electrified line. Two additional mixed (karma) trains are booked on this line, but they do not appear to operate at the moment. The only confirmed traffic is the Toros-Ekspresi as shown below:
D | MWFO | 61304 | (Toros-Ekspresi) İstanbul - Narlı 09:47/09:52 - Gazi Antep 11:35 |
D | TThSO | 61303 | (Toros-Ekspresi) Gazi Antep 14:30 - Narlı 16:01/16:07 - İstanbul |
Booked departures of karma trains are at: Gazi Antep 08:30, 16:00 (2h 18 min) and Narlı 07:30, 15:00 (2h 15 min).
Narlı loop
TR00/19
Narlı station is equipped with an electrified loop track, leaving Narlı to the south-west, turning to the north-east and joining the Malatya-bound line. All trains to and from Malatya reverse in Narlı and use this loop track. It cannot not be confirmed whether the Toros-Ekspresi to/from Gazi Antep is using this loop or the direct line. Local services from Narlı to Gazi Antep are the only trains confirmedly booked to use the direct line, for further information refer to the Narlı to Gazi Antep section above.
İslahiye - Tahtaköprü (state border) - Meydan Ekbez (CFS)
TR00/20
A single track non-electrified line.
D | MO | 61304/ 61374 | (Toros-Ekspresi) İstanbul - Fevzipaşa 07:55/08:30 - İslahiye 08:45/09:43 - Meydan Ekbez 10:30 - Ĥalab(Aleppo) |
D | TO | 61373/ 61303 | (Toros-Ekspresi) Ĥalab(Aleppo) - Meydan Ekbez 15:30 - İslahiye 16:29/17:14 - Fevzipaşa 17:29/18:10 - İstanbul |
Region 7 - Afyon
Obscure lines
None.
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.
Eğirdir - Bozanönü
TR00/21
A single track non-electrified line.
52952 | (Pamukkale Ekspresi) İstanbul - İsparta 07:14/07:30 - Bozanönü 07:50/07:55 - Eğirdir 08:50 | ||
52861 | (Pamukkale-Ekspresi) Eğirdir 17:00 - Bozanönü 18:01/18:06 - İsparta 18:27/18:52 - İstanbul |
Karakuyu loop
TR00/22
A single line loop track leaves Karakuyu station to the west and joins the Afyon bound line after turning to the north-east. The unit forming 32709 Karakuyu 10:45 - Burdur is regularly shunting over this loop - with passengers. Gülistan-Ekspresi Ankara - İsparta is likely to use this loop as well in order to avoid reversing at Karakuyu.
D | TThSuO | 31323/ 31424 | (Gülistan-Ekspresi) İsparta 22:45 - Karakuyu 00:33/00:40 - Afyon 02:59 - Ankara |
D | TThSO | 31324/ 31423 | (Gülistan-Ekspresi) Ankara - Afyon 01:45 - Karakuyu 04:12/04:20 - İsparta 06:05 |
Afyon loop
TR00/23
Afyon Ali Çetinkaya station is equipped with a loop track, leaving Afyon to the north-east, turning back to the west and joining the station tracks just west of the platform tracks. Generally, through trains from Alayunt to Uşak or Karakuyu are likely to use this track in order to avoid reversing. For Dumlupınar Mavi Tren 31111 Ankara - Afyon 01:07/01:25 - Izmir and 31112 Izmir - Afyon 03:09/03:25 - Ankara use of the loop track on the way from/to Uşak is confirmed.
Alayunt direct line
TR00/24
All trains from Eskişehir to Afyon or v.v. not calling at Kütahya station are using the straight line side of the Alayunt triangle.
Kütahya loop
TR00/25
In order to avoid reversing, all trains from Eskişehir to Afyon or or v.v. calling at Kütahya station are using the Kütahya loop allowing to approach the station from the west prior to arrival at Kütahya.