Turkey's Eastern Express train – in pictures

  • Railway luxury, typified by flower arrangements, white tablecloths and enticing refreshments, await passengers on the Eastern Express for its epic journey across Turkey's snow-capped Euphrates plateaus. All photos: AFP
    Railway luxury, typified by flower arrangements, white tablecloths and enticing refreshments, await passengers on the Eastern Express for its epic journey across Turkey's snow-capped Euphrates plateaus. All photos: AFP
  • Its nine carriages wind their way around mountain bends on a 32-hour, 1,300-kilometre journey from Turkey's capital Ankara to Kars, an ancient city near Turkey's border with Armenia and Georgia.
    Its nine carriages wind their way around mountain bends on a 32-hour, 1,300-kilometre journey from Turkey's capital Ankara to Kars, an ancient city near Turkey's border with Armenia and Georgia.
  • "It is really a very special moment for me and my family," says Zulan-Nour Komurcu, 26, who is celebrating her birthday with them on board.
    "It is really a very special moment for me and my family," says Zulan-Nour Komurcu, 26, who is celebrating her birthday with them on board.
  • The train runs twice a week from December 30 to March 31 to make the most of the snow-covered landscapes. Its route is a miniature version of Russia's Trans-Siberian railway, says engineer Fatih Yalcin.
    The train runs twice a week from December 30 to March 31 to make the most of the snow-covered landscapes. Its route is a miniature version of Russia's Trans-Siberian railway, says engineer Fatih Yalcin.
  • The train was designed for the sheer joy of travelling through spectacular but hard-to-access provinces such as Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan and Erzurum.
    The train was designed for the sheer joy of travelling through spectacular but hard-to-access provinces such as Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan and Erzurum.
  • Lawyer Yoruk Giris, 38, holds a party on the Eastern Express "We prepared a lot," he said.
    Lawyer Yoruk Giris, 38, holds a party on the Eastern Express "We prepared a lot," he said.
  • Passengers in their decoration festooned compartment on the Eastern Express. The service was suspended less than a year after starting because of the coronavirus pandemic. But with restrictions easing, the sleeper is back.
    Passengers in their decoration festooned compartment on the Eastern Express. The service was suspended less than a year after starting because of the coronavirus pandemic. But with restrictions easing, the sleeper is back.
  • The train brings together an array of Turkish society – and although relatively pricey, tickets are snapped up in minutes
    The train brings together an array of Turkish society – and although relatively pricey, tickets are snapped up in minutes
  • In Erzurum, the last stop before Kars, at an altitude of 1,945 metres, passengers perform a traditional dance on the frozen platform, with backing from a tea vendor's radio.
    In Erzurum, the last stop before Kars, at an altitude of 1,945 metres, passengers perform a traditional dance on the frozen platform, with backing from a tea vendor's radio.
  • The station's thermometer shows minus 11C but there's a warm atmosphere around the train.
    The station's thermometer shows minus 11C but there's a warm atmosphere around the train.
  • The Eastern Express makes its way through a winter wonderland.
    The Eastern Express makes its way through a winter wonderland.