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Istanbul Haydarpaşa

Almost across the Bosphorus from Sirkeci, Kadiköy is the starting point of the Anatolian Railways. The first station there was built in 1872 when the line opened to Gebze. However, as the railway was extended, traffic increased and a new and larger building became needed. Its construction started in 1906 by Otto Ritter and Helmut Conu, two German architects who choose a neo-classic German style. They design a large building, much in accordance with the ambitions of the German investors that were building the Baghdad Railway at the time. It was put into service on 19 august 1908 and formally inaugurated of 4 November 1909, Anniversary of Sultan Mehmed V.

The building was built on land reclaimed from the sea and is therefore surrounded by water on three sides: a unique feature for a railway station. It has a very distinctive style, definitely standing out in Istanbul. Thanks to its location, it has been very well preserved, even restored following the damages caused by a burning tanker ship in 1979. The building is best seen from the sea, by taking a boat ("vapur" in Istanbul parlance) that calls just in front if the station to cross the Bosphorus.

Istanbul Sirkeci and Haydarpaşa stations are linked by a train-ferry boat.

Overall view of Haydarpaşa. from the sea, south side, November 2000. Photo JP Charrey	The north and the west sides, November 2000. Photo JP Charrey
The south and the west sides, November 2000. Photo JP Charrey	the "vapur" terminal right in front of the stations, November 2000. Photo JP Charrey
the concourse inside the station: main access door to the tracks, November 2000. Photo JP Charrey	Haydarpaşa, a classic view from the bridge crossing over the tracks. 1999. Photo Malcolm Peakman
Haydarpaşa station approach. 1999 Photo Malcolm Peakman	Haydarpaşa station approach, noting run round loop to left, depot ahead, main line to "1 o'clock" and carriage depot (and other end of run round ) to right.1999. Photo Malcolm Peakman
Haydarpaşa station approach. 1999. Photo Malcolm Peakman	Haydarpaşa station approach. 1999.Photo Malcolm Peakman
Haydarpaşa station approach. 1999.Photo Malcolm Peakman	Haydarpaşa Carriage Maintenance shed, note clearances! Note also the 3 way point now removed. The run round loop is out of shot to right, goes to a headshunt, then comes back up to the 3 way point, which also services the carriage sidings. 1997. Photo Malcolm Peakman