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Children Railways

Ankara Gençlik Park Railway

The Gençlik Park (literally "Children's park") in Ankara is located almost across from the main railway station. This park which still exist, used to have a 600mm gauge circular line to carry children around the park. The line was complete with a station, a tunnel, an overpass and shed.

The trains were steam powered by two 1'D1' engines. These engines, build by TCDD in Eskisehir, were a free lance design, but tryied to represent to scale a TCDD main line engine..

The line in Ankara stopped but the trains were saved. The engines were restored and they are now operated again on week-ends, on a circular line in front of Afyon station (see below).

As of January 2004, the track for about half of the loop in still in place, in quite good condition except for some overgrown trees. I estimate the remaining length to be at least one kilometer long. The track path is still easily visible on another quarter of the line. Only the area near the new metro station has been heavily transformed, wiping out all remains of the track there. All major infrastructures such as the station or the shed are also still in place.

The rolling stock being there also, it is quite possible to put everything back into service with a minimal effort. This task is within the reach a group of volunteer, working week-ends for the benefit of being able to drive a steam train. This is assuming authorization from the proper authorities.

Lets hope that this handsome toy train will be preserved and put back into service for the joy of many generations of children to come (and their parents!)

Engine n°Year built
KL460011957
KL460021957
KL460031964
KL460041971

These manufacturing years need to be clarified: what was the locomotive use in 1957?

KL 46002 Mehmetcik is pausing with a party of officials during the opening ceremony of the line on 19 May 1965. Col. G. Tunçbilek

KL 46002 "Mehmetcik" is pausing with a party of officials during the opening ceremony of the line on 19 May 1965. Col. G. Tunçbilek

The same engine in 1965, photo Trevor Rowe

The same engine in 1965, photo Trevor Rowe, (published in "Steam in Turkey")

KL46004 during overhaul in 1998. This engine has also the name Mehmetçik. Photo J. Peakman

KL46004 during overhaul in 1998. This engine has also the name "Mehmetçik". Photo J. Peakman, Published in Locomotives International, n°50, July August 1999, p22.

An overview of the shed and KL004 sitting in front of it. November 2003. Photo JP Charrey

An overview of the shed and KL004 sitting in front of it. November 2003. Photo JP Charrey

The same engine near the shed of the Gençlik Parki at Ankara. November 2003. Photo JP Charrey

The same engine near the shed of the Gençlik Parki at Ankara. Unfortunatly, the engine has stayed outside since its refurbishment and is now much damaged. November 2003. Photo JP Charrey.

Past the shed, the track goes under a tunnel. The carriage are stored inside (barely visible on this picture). November 2003. Photo JP Charrey

Past the shed, the track goes under a tunnel. The carriage are stored inside (barely visible on this picture). November 2003. Photo JP Charrey

The remains of the station, complete with a ticket office. It is currently used to park cars. November 2003. Photo JP Charrey

The remains of the station, complete with a ticket office. It is currently used to park cars. November 2003. Photo JP Charrey

The track remains on about half the loop. It is in quite good shape except for some overgrown trees here and there. November 2003. Photo JP Charrey

The track remains on about half the loop. It is in quite good shape except for some overgrown trees here and there. November 2003. Photo JP Charrey.

KL46002 runs across the bridge over one of the entrances to the park in September 1988. Photo Chris Boyce

KL46002 runs across the bridge over one of the entrances to the park in September 1988. Photo Chris Boyce.

The engineer oils KL46002 as it stands at the station before another circuit of the park in September 1988. November 2003. Photo Chris Boyce

The engineer oils KL46002 as it stands at the station before another circuit of the park in September 1988. November 2003. Photo Chris Boyce.

Afyon children railway

Some of the equipment and rolling stock not used in Ankara was transferred to Afyon. A short loop was erected in front of the station. KL46001 is steamed up there on week-ends in summer time.

It seems that the train operation is currently not guaranteed every time due to some budget restrictions. Here again, some free help would certainly be appreciated.

KL46001 Kocatepe in Afyon in July 2001. Photo G. Tunçbilek

KL46001 "Kocatepe" in Afyon in July 2001. Photo G. Tunçbilek.

KL46001 Kocatepe in Afyon in July 2001. Photo G. Tunçbilek

KL46001 "Kocatepe" in Afyon in July 2001. Photo G. Tunçbilek

KL46001 Kocatepe in Afyon in August 2003. Photo G. Tunçbilek

KL46001 "Kocatepe" in Afyon in August 2003. Photo G. Tunçbilek

KL46001 Kocatepe in Afyon in August 2003. Photo G. Tunçbilek

KL46001 "Kocatepe" in Afyon in August 2003. Photo G. Tunçbilek

Same engine, fireman side. August 2003 Photo G. Tunçbilek

Same engine, fireman side. August 2003 Photo G. Tunçbilek.

Izmir International Fair park Railway

Izmir had a similar 600mm railway at the International Fair Park. It was also powered by two steam engines KL46003 and KL46004, presumably similar to the ones in Ankara.

This line is now closed and the fate of these engines is not known.

Possibly KL46003 as re-surfaced in a park named Ekşisu Mesire near Erzincan.
See: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/32567172