Route
The train departs Haydarpaşa Terminal next to the Bosphorus and travels along the south-eastern shores of İstanbul. The journey takes an average 45 minutes to travel out of the extensive suburbs of the metropolis. After Gebze, the tracks follow a route right along the Bay of İzmit, with great views of the surrounding area. The train passes through many towns along the way including major industrial facilities until reaching İzmit. After İzmit the Eastern Express travels through the Sakarya plain. At Arifye, the line heads south through the mountainous route towards Eskişehir. After crossing many gorges and after Bilecik, the train starts to ascend the Anatolian plateau. The train arrives in Ankara in the morning. From there it changes its electric locomotive to diesel locomotive.
After the break the Eastern Express continues east through Ankara's eastern suburbs. After Kırıkkale, the train heads south-east towards Kayseri. At Kayseri the train refuels itself and has a crew change. The Eastern Express then continues east into the dusk. The route then heads north-east until Sivas, where the train has its third break. After Sivas the tracks travel through very mountainous terrain so the speed is limited. A small portion between Çetinkaya and Divriği is electrified for freight train carrying iron ore down south to the Mediterranean Sea. After Divriği the Eastern Express steadily climbs towards the Armenian Highlands. After a break in Erzurum, the train arrives at Kars towards the evening.
Read more about this topic: Eastern Express
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