Content:

• Cilician gates
• Mersin Adana

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Copyright: rights to all pictures on this page reserved to Robin Lush. 

Cilician gates

56717 between Yenice and Pozantı. 2nd April 1974. Attention now turned to the line through the Taurus. On the southern approaches a French built, German designed three cylinder 2-10-0 climbs away from Yenice

56724 between Pozantı and Ulukişla. 2nd April 1974. A few miles further north and the scenery changes spectacularly

56724 between Pozantı and Ulukişla. 2nd April 1974. While the line twists and turns we always seemed to be on the wrong side for the sun. Very much gricing blind.

56724 between Pozantı and Ulukişla. More of the same chaps

56724 between Pozantı and Ulukişla. Sadly this first train that we chased up the Taurus was the only one we saw in good light.

56724 between Pozantı and Ulukişla.

56724 between Pozantı and Ulukişla Leaving the mountains behind the three cylinder loco nears Ulukişla

56724 at Ulukisla.2nd April 1974. Rolling into Ulukişla, our train passes a southbound freight awaiting the road south

56724 at Ulukisla.2nd April 1974. Last one for the time being, 56724 standing in the station prior to coming off its train.

56724 leaves the Taurus Mountains behind as it heads for Ulukişla. 2 April 1974

56321 leaving Ulukisla 2nd April 1974.
Last shot of the day, a skyliner heading for Kayseri

Street photographer in Posantı 3 April 1974.
While waiting for the train to reach Posantı, I have time to photograph a bit of "old Turkey"

56720 leaving Yenice 3 April 1974.
The weather worsens as the morning passenger train heads for the Taurus mountains. Notice the excessive amount of coal on the tender.

56720 near Posantı 3 April1974.
Eventually the train arrives and serious photography can continue

56720 leaving Posantı 3 April1974.
A fine display from the three cylinder loco as she leaves Posantı

56720 north of Posantı 3 April1974.
Three more pictures in the Taurus before we head north for our final days photography

56720 north of Posantı 3 April1974.
Still with loads of coal in the tender

56720 leaving Çiftehan 3 April1974.
We left the train and the bad weather after this shot and drove up to Çankiri

pw trolley north of Yenice 2 April 1974. It might be of interest to someone but not my cup of tea

56733 at Posantı 13 April 1975. Our last day of the trip was down in the Taurus mountains but sadly the weather was against us and we had a bit of trouble with the military so not many pictures were taken.

56733 leaving Posantı 13 April 1975. The locos were also very run down and clearly the 3 cylinder 2-10-0s did not have long to go.

56733 near Posantı 13 April 1975. After this picture we headed for Ankara but unfortunately picked up two punctures in quick succession. We were midway between Ulukisla and Aksaray at dusk when it happened and luckily for us some locals stopped and gave two of us and two wheels a lift for a long long way to find someone to repair them. We arrived in this village and found someone to open up his garage to repair the tyres and then the locals took us all the way back to our car. The round trip taking between 5 and 6 hours.

46052 heading south between Ereğli and Ulukişla 22 March 1976 (not a very good picture but for me a rare loco to phot) 

46052 near Karaman 22 March 1976. The following day the weather was not kind on the Anatolian plateau. The loco is one of the big Henschel 2-8-2s built in 1937 for express passenger work between Istanbul and Ankara

Passengers at Karaman 22 March 1976. A little cameo at Karaman, I do like the little boy at the window watching his fellow passengers.

46052 Karaman 22 March 1976. With its new passengers on board it sets off eastwards

46052 Ereğli 22 March 1976. A close up shot at some wayside station

46052 between Ereğli and Ulukisla 22 March 1976. Last picture for now as the train continues its journey to Gaziantep and Kurtalan

46052 between Ereğli and Ulukisla 22 March 1976. Continuing our journey eastwards with this rather fine Henschel 2-8-2

46052 between Ereğli and Ulukisla 22 March 1976. The Taurus mountains making a wonderful backdrop

46052 between Ereğli and Ulukisla 22 March 1976. But sadly the weather deteriorated

46052 between Ereğli and Ulukisla 22 March 1976. Only occasionally did we get any decent exhaust

46052 between Ereğli and Ulukişla 22 March 1976. The eastbound mixed train against the snow-covered Taurus mountains

46052 between Ereğli and Ulukişla 22 March 1976. The second loco of the class of 11 2-8-2 built by Henschel in 1937 immediately before the very similar 2-10-0. In fact the first three 2-8-2s were followed by the first two 2-10-0 with consecutive builders numbers (23135-23139)

46052 between Ereğli and Ulukişla 22 March 1976. Last cross shot of this train, which we followed most of the way from south of Konya to Ulukişla taking all day in deteriorating weather

46052 near Ulukişla 22 March 1976. By the time the train had arrived the gloom had returned. Note the diesel banker.

Snow fence near Ulukişla 22 March 1976. Another view of some old sleepers acting as a snow barrier caught in a brief sunny interlude

Mersin Adana

34052 eastbound on the Mersin branch 2nd April 1974. After an horrific journey through the Taurus mountains in the dark and heavy rain with countless petroleum lorries heading in the opposite direction (still memorable after 30 years) we start the following day at Mersin

34052 smokebox detail 2nd April 1974. Detail of the front end of the Nohab mogul working the morning branch train. Note the holes in the smokebox door, presumably for improving the draught.

34052 on the Mersin branch 2nd April 1974. Side on of a very overloaded Nohab

34052 leaving Tarsus 2nd April 1974. By the time the train was leaving Tarsus the load was getting ridiculous

34052 near Yenice 2nd April 1974. Last shot of the little mogul before it finally struggled into the junction station of Yenice

46020 at Yenice 2nd April 1974. Awaiting a Yenice was a Krupp 4-8-0 of 1933.

46020 at Yenice 2nd April 1974. Its crew take a keen interest in the photographers antics 

46020 on the Mersin branch 3 April 1974.
The following morning finds us back on the Mersin branch but unfortunately worked tender first by a Krupp built 1933 4-8-0

34060 at Yenice 23 March 1976. The following day a Nohab 2-6-0 of 1930 waits at Yenice between duties on the Mersin branch