Karesi Express

Karasi Express

An Ankara bound Karesi Express rounds the curve at Menemen before arriving at the station.
Overview
Service type	Intercity rail
Status	Operating
Locale	Western Turkey
First service	23 April 1938
Current operator(s)	TCDD
Route
Start	Alsancak Terminal, İzmir
Stops	44
End	Central Station, Ankara
Distance travelled	824 km (512 mi)
Average journey time	14 hours, 45 minutes (Eastbound) 14 hours, 16 minutes (Westbound)
Service frequency	Daily each way
Train number(s)	31315 (Eastbound) 21316 (Westbound)
On-board services
Seating arrangements	Coach Seating
Sleeping arrangements	Couchette Car
Catering facilities	Dining Car
Baggage facilities	At select stations
Technical
Rolling stock	TVS2000
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Operating speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Track owner(s)	TCDD

The Karesi Express(Turkish: Karesi Ekspresi) is an overnight train, operating between Alsancak Terminal, İzmir and Central Station, Ankara. The train is one of two current train services between İzmir and Ankara. The eastbound journey takes about 14 hours and 16 minutes, while the westbound journey takes about 14 hours and 45 minutes. The Karesi Express services 6 provincial capitals: İzmir, Manisa, Balıkesir, Kütahya, Eskişehir and Ankara.

When the Turkish State Railways opened the Balıkesir-Kütahya rail line on April 23, 1938 (connecting the former SCP and the CFOA lines), rail travel between İzmir and Ankara was possible. Ankara is the capital of Turkey while İzmir is the 3rd largest city in Turkey (2nd largest at the time), making transport between the two cities heavy. On April 23, 1938 the 9th of September express made its first run from İzmir to Ankara. The all pullman train made the 824 km long journey in about 18 hours. On April 1, 1972, another train was put into service between İzmir and Ankara: the 9th of September Express. This train however had a sleeping car. In 1980 the third train was put in service: The İzmir Blue Train.

Name

The name "Karaesi Express" comes from the beylik of Karasi, that had its capital city in Balıkesir, a city which the Karesi Express passes through.

Consist

The consist of he train has changed many times through the years, since the first 4 car train left Ankara in 1938. These changes usually happen because of other trains being put into or removed from service. Today the consist usually is:

• DE22000 or DE24000
• TVS2000 Generator Car
• 3 TVS2000 Coaches
• K70 Dining Car
• 2 TVS2000 Coaches
• 2 K60 Couchettes

Between 2001 and 2009 the consist was:

• DE22000
• TVS2000 Generator Car
• 4 Intercity coaches
• Intercity diner
• Intercity couchette

The first consist that began service on April 23, 1938 consisted of:

• Coach
• Coach
• Diner/Coach
• Couchette