Comments on: The Sofya – Istanbul Ekspresi https://www.matthew-woodward.com/2018/09/the-sofya-istanbul-ekspresi.html/ Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:36:37 +0000 hourly 1 By: James https://www.matthew-woodward.com/2018/09/the-sofya-istanbul-ekspresi.html/#comment-9970 Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:36:37 +0000 http://www.matthew-woodward.com/?p=4748#comment-9970 Do you think there will ever be trains running from Sofia right into central Istabul (east or west)?
Seems crazy at the moment.

]]> By: Malte https://www.matthew-woodward.com/2018/09/the-sofya-istanbul-ekspresi.html/#comment-7403 Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:08:52 +0000 http://www.matthew-woodward.com/?p=4748#comment-7403 Hi Matthew, for every problem there is a solution. When in Turkey, add a zero “0” between “www.” and “wikipedia” and you should end up on the right page. But for the answer to our question, I believe Trains of Turkey is more relevant and also has pictures of the original station building before it was replaced by the present (1908), building built by German companies (although local and international construction workers): http://www.trainsofturkey.com/pmwiki.php/Stations/IstanbulHaydarpasa
Take care,
Malte

]]> By: Matthew Woodward https://www.matthew-woodward.com/2018/09/the-sofya-istanbul-ekspresi.html/#comment-7400 Mon, 10 Sep 2018 12:30:56 +0000 http://www.matthew-woodward.com/?p=4748#comment-7400 In reply to Malte.

Hi Malte. Many thanks. My source for the station opening date is Wikipedia, but the page is blocked here in Turkey, so hard to check whilst I am away. I think the difference might be between the station opening and the current building being built? Very best wishes. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haydarpaşa_railway_station

]]> By: Malte https://www.matthew-woodward.com/2018/09/the-sofya-istanbul-ekspresi.html/#comment-7399 Mon, 10 Sep 2018 12:03:13 +0000 http://www.matthew-woodward.com/?p=4748#comment-7399 Dear Matthew, as a long-time Istanbul resident back in Berlin and enthusiastic overlander and rail historian, I just would like to correct your recent tweet: Haydarpasha Station was opened in 1908.
Enjoy your ride, Malte

]]> By: nick webley https://www.matthew-woodward.com/2018/09/the-sofya-istanbul-ekspresi.html/#comment-7397 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:58:38 +0000 http://www.matthew-woodward.com/?p=4748#comment-7397 I lived in a blessed time and was free to travel from London to Istanbul in 1973. After all this time I recall the smell of the land at night as the train travelled to Paris, change at Munich, through Yugoslavia & Bulgaria to Turkey. Also the sight of strident Soviet style murals on factory walls in Bulgaria.
A fabulous journey to a fascinating city where I heard the call to prayer for the first time, goosebumps!
I am so pleased that you too have made this journey and recorded it for others to enjoy and consider trying it for themselves

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