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• Tatvan line

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Tatvan line

46232 east of Elazıg 11 April 1975. The following day finds us on the Tat Van line to the east of Elazıg and a study of an American built 2-8-2

46232 east of Elazıg 11 April 1975. This was the 07-30 train from Elazıg to Tatvan arriving at its destination at 18-06.

46232 east of Elazıg 11 April 1975. The loco crew soon got the message regarding the need for black smoke and duly obliged.

46232 east of Elazıg 11 April 1975. A view from a road bridge was fairly rare in those days.

46232 east of Elazıg 11 April 1975. And a quick dash across the empty road gives us a view of the oil tank in the tender.

46232 east of Elazıg 11 April 1975. Bursting out of the other end of the tunnel seen in the last shot ( I think).

46232 at Palu 11 April 1975. And the train departing from Palu. After Palu the line and road seemed to go their own separate ways according to our maps so this was the furthest east we went on the line regrettably.

About 5minutes after the going away picture of 46232 11 April 1975

46232 east of Elazığ on the Tatvan line 11 April 1975

46232 even further east of Elazığ 11 April 1975

46238 east of Elazıg 11 April 1975. The west bound daily train from Tatvan to Elazıg heading for home.

46220 heading east on the Tatvan line between Elazığ and Palu 24 March 1976

46220 Çağlar 24 March 1976. The next day we had better weather on the Tat Van line with this 2-8-2 with smoke deflectors.

46220 east of Çağlar 24 March 1976. This was the daily train from Elazıg (07-30) all stations to Tatvan (18-06) train number 1038 according to my 1975 timetable

46220 east of Çağlar 24 March 1976. With our faithful Murat hire car in the foreground we await the trains arrival

46220 east of Çağlar 24 March 1976. The first of three variations of this location

46220 east of Çağlar 24 March 1976. The second showing more of the snowcapped mountain tops taken probably on a standard lens

46220 east of Çağlar 24 March 1976. And the third with the loco filling more of the picture frame.

46220 east of Çağlar 24 March 1976. And from the same spot the going away picture into a tunnel

46220 east of Çağlar 24 March 1976. Were many of this class fitted with smoke deflectors?

46220 east of Çağlar 24 March 1976. This is the point on the line where the railway and road both cross the River Murat onto the north side on a very modern (at that time) looking bridge. I am aware that the area has since been flooded but did it require much realignment of the railway?

46220 west of Palu 24 March 1976. The next point of access to the line was at Palu and here we see the train a few miles before arriving at Palu

Local with horse near Palu 24 March 1976. Spot the train! Its there in the background sitting in Palu station

46220 leaving Palu 24 March 1976. From the same spot as the last picture, the train heads off eastwards alongside the River Murat. Looking at our not very detailed road maps it was clear that the line was inaccessible for a considerable distance east of Palu so we left the train and awaited for a west bound train to appear

46214 east of Palu 24 March 1976. Some six hours later (according to the timetable) the corresponding westbound working appeared. Tatvan depart 07-25. Elazıg arrive 18-00. Train number 1037.

46214 west of Palu 24 March 1976. The low angle of the sun emphasises the snow-covered mountains behind the train

46214 west of Palu 24 March 1976. The aforementioned bridge over the River Murat. Has the water level been increased since this picture was taken?

46214 west of Palu 24 March 1976. A cross shot soon after the river bridge

46214 west of Palu 24 March 1976. A bit of exhaust makes all the difference

46214 west of Palu 24th March 1976. By this time the crew and some of the passengers were enjoying the spectacle of our photographic chasing

46214 west of Palu 24 March 1976. A long lens brings up the hills in this distant shot

46214 west of Palu 24 March 1976. From the same position using a shorter length lens

46214 Çağlar 24 March 1976. Standing in Çağlar station presumably waiting for the departure time (17-13)

46214 Çağlar 24 March 1976. Last picture of the day as the train leaves Çağlar. It was at this point on a previous trip that we had a footplate ride on a 2-8-2 back to Elazıg in the dark, a wonderful and memorable experience!

46214 at Elazıg 13 March 1977. With much relief the following day dawned clear and virtually cloudless, so time was spent at Elazıg station observing the comings and goings

American built 'Middle East' 2-8-2 46233 on an early morning departure from Elazığ 13 March 1977

Early morning at Elazığ sees 46214 awaiting its next duty 13 March 1977

46214 at Elazıg 13 March 1977. The train for Tatvan waiting for its 07H30 departure time

46233 at Elazıg 13 March 1977. At the west end of the station another member of the same class shunts some stock

46233 at Elazıg 13 March 1977. Fine backlit exhaust from 46233

46214 at Elazıg 13 March 1977. Another angle on the 07H30 train to Tatvan

46211 at Elazıg 13 March 1977. Down at the shed sister loco 46211 struggles to move a dead loco

46229 at Elazıg 13 March 1977. Another Middle East class in the shed yard at Elazıg

46214 leaving Elazıg 13 March 1977. Finally, with the expected smoke effects, the Tatvan train departed

46214 at Çağlar 13 March 1977. I have included this picture of the train running into Çağlar because it shows the railway van body placed at the side of the line to house the pump for the loco water which presumably had to be lifted from an adjacent stream or pond

46214 leaving Çağlar 13 March 1977. Having replenished the tender tank the train gets under way again

46214 near Çağlar 13 March 1977. Another shot from the adjacent roadside