2016 was announced for the High Speed Train in Bursa and the year 2020 was targeted. Although the city's train was postponed for a while due to some negativities in the construction process, the railway history of Bursa is full of interesting events.
RAILWAY FROM MUDANYA TO BURSA
Mudanya Bursa Railway, the construction of which began in 1875 and only made its first voyage in 1892, was a hat kind of exclusive hat line with a short line length of 41 kilometers and no connection to any Anatolian line. The construction of the line paused twice for economic reasons, and the third attempt was completed by a Belgian businessman, Georges Nagelmackers.
EASY TRANSPORTATION NEEDS
The idea of building a railway between Mudanya and Bursa came up for the first time in 1867 according to historical sources. Mudanya's position in the east-west trade, and in the 18th century, the Bursa silk trade, which achieved great output with its quality that left Iranian silk behind, had a great impact. In addition, the delivery of the products supplied to Istanbul and thus to the palace via Bursa brought about the need for a fast and cheap flow. In addition to all these, those who came to Bursa thermal springs over Europe and Istanbul were effective in the idea of railway line.
When the construction of the line was on the agenda, the first project was a railway that started from Mudanya and passed over Bursa, Kütahya and Karahisar to Konya. The construction of a port on the coast of Mudanya was also included in the project.
DRILLED DUMRUL RAILWAY
The total length of this line was determined as 576 kilometers. The length corresponded to an approximate 96 hour ride. In the construction, 360 thousand of 120 thousand people living in the regions where the line will pass will be physically working and the remaining 240 bin will be taxed and contribute to the substance. Kilometer 6 thousand pounds account will be made of railroad 3 million 456 thousand pounds was planned to cost. The state will pay 384 thousand pounds for this line, people living in places where the line will pass will pay 58 penny a year or work in construction for seven days a year. This line, which reminds me of the crazy Dumrul bridge, had to carry 88 thousand tons of goods or goods per year to make a profit.
STOPPED TWICE, COMPLETED THIRD
The route of Bursa Mudanya railway line, which was started to be constructed after some developments, was determined as follows; Mudanya- Yörükali - Koru (Passage) - Acemler - Bursa (Merinos waiting) - Bursa
Due to economic difficulties during the construction of the line, the works stopped twice. On the other hand, two historical monuments were found on the route of Mudanya to the line and these monuments were sent to Istanbul.
BELGIUM ENTREPRENEURS COMPLETED
Almost twenty years after the first excavation of the line was hit, an agreement was reached with the Belgian entrepreneur Georges Nagelmackers. In the concession agreement signed Nagelmackers' company, after a certain degree of revenue to be obtained per passenger to share the state would also pay 40 thousand pounds advance to the Ottoman Treasury.
Ultimately, Nagelmeckers, the third entrepreneur of the line, completed the establishment of Mudanya - Bursa Railway Company on 10 September 1891. The damaged parts of the railway, which had been idle for many years, were repaired. About 1700 workers worked in the completion process.
WELCOME TO FLOWERS
The line was opened in 16 June 1892. Five wagons drawn by two locomotives departing from Mudanya Station with flags at 08.20 reached Bursa station decorated with flowers and balloons at 10.30. The train was greeted by the Governor of Bursa Munir Pasha and many statesmen and soldiers, as well as the Military Mızıka playing the Hamidiye Anthem.
GREEK SOLDIERS MOVED
The railroad, which was connected to the Military Railways and Ports Administration during the First World War, carried Greek soldiers in cash for high prices during the armistice. The line, which won big money from the transportation of soldiers, was asked to be sold by the operating company after the establishment of the republic. The company left the line in 1 when it failed to sell. Nationalized line business after the Republic of Turkey have been trying to connect to the line in Anatolia. The line, which did not provide the expected economic return, was stopped on August 1931, 18. Line, July 1948, 10 in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey kararınca completely closed.
During the construction and operation period, the rails of the Mudanya Bursa Railway, which has been going through a very difficult period, have been completely dismantled today. The buildings constructed during the period of the line are used as hotels, restaurants and social facilities.
(This report is based on the book titled “Mudanya - Bursa Railway Construction and Operation“, written by Mustafa Yazıcı, awarded with the 2014 Yılmaz Akkılıç Bursa Research Award and published by Nilüfer Municipality.)
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