Editing Eastern Express (section)

==Route==
[[File:The Eastern Express in Eskişehir.JPG|thumb|left|An Istanbul-bound train at Eskişehir in 2009.]]

Prior to the commencement of [[Ankara–Istanbul high-speed railway|high-speed rail service from Istanbul to Ankara]] the train departed from Haydarpaşa Terminal on the [[Bosphorus]] and traveled along the south-eastern shores of Istanbul. The journey out of the extensive suburbs of the metropolis took an average of 45 minutes after which the train followed  the [[Bay of İzmit]] coastline before reaching [[İzmit]] and then traveling across the Sakarya plain. At Arifye, the line headed south through the mountainous route towards Eskişehir. After crossing many gorges and after Bilecik, the train ascended the [[Anatolian plateau]] and arrived in [[Ankara]]. 

The Eastern Express runs east through Ankara's eastern suburbs. After [[Kırıkkale]], the train heads south-east towards [[Kayseri]]. At Kayseri the train is refuelled and has a crew change. The Eastern Express then continues east into the dusk. The route then heads north-east until [[Sivas]], where the train has its second break. After Sivas the tracks travel through very mountainous terrain so the speed is limited. A small portion between [[Çetinkaya, Kangal|Çetinkaya]] and [[Divriği]] is electrified for freight trains carrying iron ore south to the Mediterranean Sea. After Divriği the Eastern Express steadily climbs towards the [[Armenian Highlands]]. After a break in [[Erzurum]], the train arrives in [[Kars]] in the evening.