Istanbul nostalgic tram - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Nostalgic tram of Istanbul is the heritage tramway systems of Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...

, Turkey

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

. The city has two completely separate heritage tram systems, one on the European side, the another on the Asian side.

Istanbul

Istanbul

, the former capital of Turkey, once had a large tramway network on both the Asian and European sides. These started as horse trams but gradually changed to electric. Many routes were built step by step, and the network reached its greatest extent in 1956 with 108 million passengers in 270 shuttles in 56 lines. But like most cities around the world the tram service began to close in 1956, and completely stopped in 1966.

Trams returned in Istanbul in 1990. The city is divided between Asia

Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

& Europe

Europe

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

. The Asian side has a heritage tram system, and the European side has both heritage tram & modern tram systems.

History

After closing the tram network in the mid '60, the people of Istanbul thought this old fashioned obstacle to smooth city traveling had been removed, and the city could move faster than before, but this proved false some years later. The uncontrolled increase of petrol vehicles such as bus

Bus

A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...

es, taxi

Taxicab

A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...

s, and private cars started chocking the streets of Istanbul. Turkey

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

suffered many of the problems of developing countries, including pollution

Pollution

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...

, traffic jams, illegal migration

Human migration

Human migration is physical movement by humans from one area to another, sometimes over long distances or in large groups. Historically this movement was nomadic, often causing significant conflict with the indigenous population and their displacement or cultural assimilation. Only a few nomadic...

, low literacy

Literacy

Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...

and rapid increase of population

Population

A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...

etc. A growing population started increasing the urbanization

Urbanization

Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....

of Istanbul, and with it more motor vehicles which started increasing air & sound pollution

Sound pollution

Sound pollution may refer to:* Noise pollution, displeasing or disruptive sound of human or machine origin* Sound Pollution...

, traffic jams & smog

Smog

Smog is a type of air pollution; the word "smog" is a portmanteau of smoke and fog. Modern smog is a type of air pollution derived from vehicular emission from internal combustion engines and industrial fumes that react in the atmosphere with sunlight to form secondary pollutants that also combine...

. The city even became slower than pre-tram closure era. From the early 1970s, these problems increased and by the mid 1980s Istanbulians realized that non-controlling of motor vehicles & closure of the tram network was a great mistake. Due to constantly increasing traffic jams & air pollution, Istanbul became one of the most polluted Eurasia

Eurasia

Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...

n city during mid '80s, which caused not only increasing diseases of citizens, but also lost attraction from tourists. Many cities around the world like Tunis

Tunis

Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....

, Sydney

Sydney

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

, Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...

etc. also understood that error, and like them, Istanbul also planned for the return of trams.

Understanding the great mistake of the tram closure, the government started to decrease pollution as soon as possible, and also recover the bad image of Istanbul for tourists. Looking at many cities around the world i.e. Lima

Lima

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...

, Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

etc., the authorities planned to return trams in Istanbul. But then the number of cars & buses had already increased very much, so starting a completely new standard tramway was not possible at that time. Instead they planned an experimental heritage tramway, mindful of the lower installation cost, tourist attraction and testing the minds of the new generation in Istanbul to see how they would accept trams.

The Authority thought to re-introduce (heritage) trams in Istanbul using the same type of rolling stock which was running in European part until 1962, and in the Asian part until 1966. The former tram network was almost completely destroyed, including depots, termini, electric power station etc, except some rolling stock, which were preserved in transport museums. Using old photographs, people's memory and other sources, some stocks were built for the European side resembling pre 1962 European side stock, including size, shape, interior, color scheme etc. The stocks' prototype was originally made in 1915.

Around 1990, the Istiklal Caddesi became a pedestrian zone, the tram was restored and revived in 1990. At last, trams returned in Istanbul after a long 24 years gap.

After gaining much popularity mainly among the tourists, another heritage tramway opened in 2003 in the Asian part. This time, the first generation tram's stocks were not installed. Instead of this, second hand trams from Gotha

Gotha (town)

Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...

were used running on a circular loop, following roughly the old route 20. Although, this is also a heritage tram system, it is officially called 'Moda Tramway' instead of 'Nostalgic Tramway'. The length of the line is 2.6 km and there are 10 stops.

Past in a nutshell

1961 - The last tram ran at the European side on 12 January. Topkapi-Eminönü line was replaced by trolleybuses in 27 May. Six trams were transferred to the Asian side network.

1966 - The last tram ran at the Asian side on 3 October from Kadiköy
Kadiköy
Kadıköy is a large, populous, and cosmopolitan district of İstanbul, Turkey on the Asian side of the Sea of Marmara, facing the historic city centre on the European side of the Bosporus...

to Kızıltoprak. Remaining trams were transferred to the transport museum.

1984 - Trolleybus service stopped on 16 July. By this all electric city transport of Istanbul was completely stopped.

1990 - Independence Avenue was closed to traffic. Tram returned as heritage system between Taksim
Taksim
Taksim was the objective of Turkish Cypriots who supported a partition of the island of Cyprus into Turkish and Greek portions, a concept declared as early as 1957 by Dr. Fazil Küçük...

and Tünel
Tünel
The Tünel is a short underground railway line in Istanbul, Turkey. It is an underground funicular with two stations, connecting the quarters of Karaköy and Beyoğlu. Located at the northern shore of the Golden Horn, the underground railway tunnel goes uphill from close to sea level and is about 555...

. Rolling stocks were same as pre 1966 tram, added name to this service as nostalgic tram.

1992 - By opening a completely separate tram system, tram returned as modern system. It started on the same alignment where tram last ran in 1956.

2003 - Tram returned as heritage system in Asian side, following closed route 20 as a circular tramway. Rolling stocks were imported from Gotha
Gotha (town)
Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...

Tram routes

There are mainly two routes - European side trams run from Taksim

Taksim

Taksim was the objective of Turkish Cypriots who supported a partition of the island of Cyprus into Turkish and Greek portions, a concept declared as early as 1957 by Dr. Fazil Küçük...

to Tunel

Tunel

Tunel or Tünel may refer to:* TUNEL assay , in genetics, a method for detecting DNA fragmentation* Tunel , former Yugoslav rock band...

, and Asian side trams run from Kadikoy

Kadiköy

Kadıköy is a large, populous, and cosmopolitan district of İstanbul, Turkey on the Asian side of the Sea of Marmara, facing the historic city centre on the European side of the Bosporus...

to Moda

Moda

Moda may refer to:* Moda Records, a record label* Andrea Moda, an Italian fashion company* Andrea Moda Formula, a defunct Formula One racing team* MODA , Malaysia Official Designers Association* Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture, London...

. But as a heritage value, European side trams uses (fictitious) route numbers 1, 2 & 3, although all routes are completely same. The line was laid following the alignment of previous tram network, which was served by route 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17. Asian side trams uses route 20, remembering former systems route 20 (for using some part of that route).

European side tram

Total length - 1.6 Km.
Opened - 12/4/1990.
Operating hours - 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.
Frequency - 10 to 20 minutes.
Fare - YTL
YTL
YTL may refer to:* The IATA code for Big Trout Lake Airport.* The abbreviation for New Turkish lira.* YTL Corporation, a Malaysian firm.* The York-Timbuktu Link...

.90

Asian side tram

Total length - 2.6 Km.
Opened - 1/11/2003.
Operating hours - 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.
Frequency - 7 minutes.
Fare - YTL
YTL
YTL may refer to:* The IATA code for Big Trout Lake Airport.* The abbreviation for New Turkish lira.* YTL Corporation, a Malaysian firm.* The York-Timbuktu Link...

.90

Fleet

The rolling stocks of the European side trams are the same as the first generation tramway, which closed in 1966. However, all cars are refurbished and maintained continuously for running smoothly. Due to peak season, often a trailer is added to the motor coach for extra capacity. Asian side trams use second had trams from Gotha.

Depots & termini

Tünel, Moda & Kadiköy are the three places where both past system's & today's nostalgic system's termini are present. The current termini were built after complete redesign of Tünel, Moda & Kadiköy area. Taksim is still the city centre of Istanbul, which is now served by European side heritage tram.

Alignment

All nostalgic tram routes are on unreserved tracks.

The length of the European side line is 1.6 km and there are 4 stops. It runs between Taksim and Tunel via Istikal Caddesi. This road was formerly used by tram, bus & car. After closing the former trams in 1962, it was still used by bus & car but around 1990, this area (Beyoğlu

Beyoglu

Beyoğlu is a district located on the European side of İstanbul, Turkey, separated from the old city by the Golden Horn...

) was considered as a heritage place. There are many old buildings and heritage shops, so the municipal authority decided to convert this area to a pedestrian zone. Buses & cars were not allowed in the area from that time. The road was resurfaced in concrete with a tactile finish. Many medium trees were planted in both the footpath

Footpath

A Footpath is a thoroughfare intended for by pedestrians but not by motorized vehicles. The term is often for paths within an urban area that offer shorter quieter routes for pedestrians, they may also provide access to the surrounding countryside or parks...

and road. Many old fashioned street lamps and curved chairs were also installed. After all this, tram tracks were laid in the middle of the road as a single line, with a crossing at Galatasaray Square, where the trams from opposite directions meet and cross paths, also stopping to take on or set down passengers. There are two other stops along the route. This place is very popular mainly for tourists, so the driver must constantly ring his bell to clear the way of pedestrians, especially during the peak tourist season. Approximate passenger volume for this system is 6,000 people / day. Interchange with metro

Istanbul Metro

The Istanbul Metro, or the M2, is a mass-transit underground railway network that serves the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Founded in 2000, it now includes 13 stations. The system currently consists of a single north-south line...

is possible at Taksim.

The length of the Asian side line is 2.6 km and there are 10 stations. 4 tramcars work in one direction, departing from Kadık頓quare and following on the isolated bus-line and from the Bahariye Street and finally, by the Moda Street they again reach Kadikoy Square. Approximate passenger volume for this system is 2,000 people / day. In this system, tram tracks are laid on the side of the road as a single line without any crossing facility. The roads were also resurfaced by concrete, but are also used by other road vehicles.

Criticism

Although European side's tram is as much a curiosity

Curiosity

Curiosity is an emotion related to natural inquisitive behavior such as exploration, investigation, and learning, evident by observation in human and many animal species. The term can also be used to denote the behavior itself being caused by the emotion of curiosity...

as a means of transport, anybody can find it useful if their feet are tired when walking Beyoğlu's main shopping and dining avenue. The historic tram cars are small and cannot hold many passengers, and are often full. The ride is relatively slow, but pleasant giving a good quick tour of Istiklal Caddesi.

External links

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