THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE ESKİŞEHİR-KÜTAHYA RAILWAY(1893-1894) ESKİŞEHİR-KÜTAHYA DEMİRYOLUNUN YAPIMI VE İŞLETMESİ(1893-1894)
Railway construction in the Ottoman Empire began in the mid-19th century. During this period, railway investments were generally made by foreign capital, with concessions granted primarily to British, French, and German companies. Three primary objectives were pursued in railway construction in the Ottoman Empire: political, military, and economic.
The concession for the Eskişehir-Konya line, one of the two important lines of the Anatolian railways, was granted to Monsieur Alfred Kavalla on February 13, 1893, for a period of 99 years. Construction of the Eskişehir-Kütahya line, the first section of the Eskişehir-Konya railway, envisioned as a grain line, began first in Eskişehir and then in Kütahya, with work progressing from both ends.
The provisional acceptance of the Eskişehir-Kütahya railway line was granted on November 11, 1894, and construction was completed on December 15, 1894. Following the line's revision, the Alayunt–Kütahya branch line opened on December 24, 1894. Following the successful completion of all technical tests, the 76-kilometer Eskişehir–Kütahya railway was officially completed on Saturday, December 29, 1894, with the arrival of the first locomotive at Kütahya Station, accompanied by prayers.
Railways played a decisive role in the political, social, and economic transformation of cities. In this context, this study examines the Eskişehir–Kütahya railway line, constructed between 1893 and 1894, and its regional impact. With the completion of construction, Kütahya was included in the railway transportation network for the first time, marking a significant turning point in the city's development.
Railway construction in the Ottoman Empire began in the mid-19th century. During this period, railway investments were generally made by foreign capital, with concessions granted primarily to British, French, and German companies. Three primary objectives were pursued in railway construction in the Ottoman Empire: political, military, and economic.
The concession for the Eskişehir-Konya line, one of the two important lines of the Anatolian railways, was granted to Monsieur Alfred Kavalla on February 13, 1893, for a period of 99 years. Construction of the Eskişehir-Kütahya line, the first section of the Eskişehir-Konya railway, envisioned as a grain line, began first in Eskişehir and then in Kütahya, with work progressing from both ends.
The provisional acceptance of the Eskişehir-Kütahya railway line was granted on November 11, 1894, and construction was completed on December 15, 1894. Following the line's revision, the Alayunt–Kütahya branch line opened on December 24, 1894. Following the successful completion of all technical tests, the 76-kilometer Eskişehir–Kütahya railway was officially completed on Saturday, December 29, 1894, with the arrival of the first locomotive at Kütahya Station, accompanied by prayers.
Railways played a decisive role in the political, social, and economic transformation of cities. In this context, this study examines the Eskişehir–Kütahya railway line, constructed between 1893 and 1894, and its regional impact. With the completion of construction, Kütahya was included in the railway transportation network for the first time, marking a significant turning point in the city's development.