9th of September Express

The 9th of September Express (Turkish: 9 Eylül Ekspresi) was an overnight train, operated by the Turkish State Railways, from Basmane Terminal, İzmir to Ankara Central Station, Ankara. The name of the service refers to 9 September 1922, the date on which the Greek occupation of İzmir ended after World War I.

9th of September Express
The 9th of September Express at Ayvacık station.
Overview
Service typeIntercity rail
StatusDiscontinued
LocaleWestern Turkey
First service8 September 2003[1]
Last service20 January 2010
Current operator(s)Turkish State Railways
Route
StartBasmane Terminal, İzmir
Stops31
EndAnkara
Distance travelled824 km (512 mi)
Average journey time13 hours, 25 minutes (Eastbound)
13 hours, 6 minutes (Westbound)
Service frequencyDaily each way
On-board services
Seating arrangementsCoach Seating
Sleeping arrangementsSleeping Car
Catering facilitiesDining Car
Baggage facilitiesAt select stations
Technical
Rolling stockTVS2000
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Operating speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Track owner(s)TCDD

The journey from İzmir to Ankara took 13 hours and 25 minutes, while the journey from Ankara to İzmir took 13 hours and 6 minutes.[2] The train serviced 6 provincial capitals: İzmir, Manisa, Balıkesir, Kütahya, Eskişehir and Ankara.

Along with the Karesi Express and İzmir Blue Train, the 9th of September Express was one of three trains to operate between Ankara and İzmir.

The Karesi Express operated between İzmir and Ankara since 1938. However the Karesi had no sleeping cars. Demand for more services between the two cities had been rising. So on April 1, 1972, the 9th of September Express made its first journey in about 14 hours. In the 1980s the İzmir Blue Train was added making 3 daily trains between İzmir and Ankara. On January 20, 2010, the 9th of September Express was discontinued, due to low ridership.

References
  1. 9 Eylul Ekspresi
  2. TCDD Raillife magazine 34th edition (October 2008) - Page 76
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