Pehlivanköy–Svilengrad railway
The Tunca bridge in Edirne.
Overview
StatusOperating
OwnerTurkish State Railways (Pehlivanköy–Kapıkule)
Bulgarian State Railways (Kapıkule–Svilengrad)
LocaleWestern Thrace
Termini
Stations7
Service
TypeHeavy rail
SystemTCDD, BDZ
Depot(s)Edirne Yard, Kapıkule Yard
History
Opened23 May 1971[1]
Technical
Line length80 km (50 mi)
Number of tracks1
CharacterMainline
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz
Operating speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Route map

0 km
0 mi
Pehlivanköy
Kırklareli
Edirne
provincial
border
Ana Creek
4.3 km
2.7 mi
Sazlımalkoç
11.6 km
7.2 mi
Bahçıvanova
12.9 km
8 mi
Kırcasalih
20.1 km
12.5 mi
Şerbettar
26.2 km
16.3 mi
Abalar
Sazlı Creek
37.4 km
23.2 mi
Tayyakadın
TMO Edirne
46.7 km
29 mi
Edirne
49.3 km
30.6 mi
Edirne Şehir
Tunca
66.5 km
41.3 mi
Kapıkule
70.6 km
43.9 mi
Kapitan Andreevo
Lozenski pat
Maritza
Nat road 80 BG.svg I-80
86.5 km
53.7 mi
Svilengrad
Kalotina–Svilengrad railway

The Edirne cut-off is a 80 km (50 mi) long rail line from Pehlivanköy, Turkey to Svilengrad, Bulgaria. The line was built in 1971 by the Turkish State Railways in order to avoid crossing the border with Greece twice, on the former Oriental Railway's main line, in order to get to Edirne. The Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) also built a cut-off from Neo Vyssa to Marasia in the same year. These two new rail lines led to the abandonment of the former CO main line in to Edirne Karaağaç Railway Station.

Route description

From Pehlivanköy, the line follows the line to Pythio for about 5 km before turning North West to go to Edirne in almost straight line across flat lands. Near Edirne, the line is on the bank of the Meriç River (Maritsa), squeezed between the river itself and the old city. The line goes over the Tunca (Tundzha) river and then goes in almost straight line again to Kapıkule railway station. the Bulgarian border is crossed after Kapıkule and before Kapitan Andrevo. Finally, the line will cross the Meriç River to enter Svilengrad station.

References

  1. Milliyet 10 May 1971

See also

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