Here’s the milestones in Ottoman period of this 160-years-long history:

1851 – First railway constuction within Ottoman borders started between Alexandria and Cairo (211 km) by an English company.

1856 – The privilege of first railway in Anatolia, Izmir-Aydin railway, was given to English company (Ottoman Railway Company – ORC) on 23rd of September 1856. Company also got the right to use coal, stone and forest resources within 30 miles of each side of railway.

Izmir Aydin railway. Photo: TCDD

1857 – The new company “Ottoman Railway from Izmir to Aydin” took over the privilege and started construction.

1858 – Alsancak station opened.

First railway at Anatolia

1860 – First section of Izmir-Aydın railway opened and first train departed.

1866 – Another railway, Izmir-Turgutlu was opened after less than two years of work by English company (Smyrna-Cassaba Railway Company). Izmir-Aydin railway also opened this year. THe camel rates dramatically dropped after railway opening from 300 cent to 100 cent.

First suburban train

1870 – First suburban train of Anatolia started on Sirinyer-Buca railway at Izmir.

1871 – Passenger transportation started on first section (Yedikule-Kucukcekmece) of Rumelia Railways which will connect Istanbul to Europe when completed. Privilege owned by Baron Hirsch.

1872 – First section (Haydarpasa-Tuzla) of Istanbul-Izmit railway which was planned to extend to Bagdad was completed. Ottoman government constructed the railway itself.

Next page: Growth (1873-1918)