Trams in Istanbul

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Trams in Istanbul
Operation
Locale	Istanbul, Turkey
Status	Closed (first generation) Operational (modern system)
Horsecar era: 1860 (1860)–1912 (1912) Status Converted to electricity Propulsion system(s) Horses
Electric tram era: 1912 (1912)–1966 (1966) Status Closed
Modern & Heritage tram era: 1992 (1992) & 1990 (1990) Status Operational Lines 2 (modern tramlines) 2 (heritage tramlimes, 1000 mm track gauge) Owner(s) İETT Operator(s) Metro Istanbul Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Propulsion system(s) Electric Depot(s) Taksim, Zeytinburnu, Şehremini, Kadıköy Stock Bombardier Flexity Swift Stadbahn-B (ex-Cologne) Alstom Citadis X-04
Overview

The former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul, was once served on both its Asian and European sides by a large network of trams in Istanbul. Its first-generation tram network first operated as a horse tram system starting in 1871, and was eventually converted to electric trams in the early twentieth century. The original tram network finally closed in 1966.^[1]

Trams returned in 1990, and a second generation of modern tram service began service in 1992. In this modern era, Istanbul is served by three separate tramway systems. The Asian side has a heritage tramline, whereas the European side has both a heritage tramline and a modern tram system.