First Undersea Tunnel That Links Europe and Asia (The Marmaray Project)

[@RailwaysExplained]

We just had a small conversation with one of the experts and a colleague who was engaged on Marmaray project, and we are happy to share with you a couple of details not mentioned in the video: 1. A complex floodgate system was made as part of the project with the aim to make possible to isolate the immersed tunnel section in case of flooding; 2. The presence of the two signaling systems in the tunnel (CBTC and ETCS) allows mixed traffic (simultaneous passage of the intercity and commuter trains); 3. The presence of train control monitoring system in both Europe and Asia allows to check some parameters of freight trains before they enter the section of the immersed tunnel, and 4. Immersed tunnel (the undersea section of tunnel of length of 1,4 km) consists of 11 sections lowered via barges on the Bosphorus.

[@johnjones8979]

You mentioned that this tunnel is located in a part with great seismic activity. Is the Marmarey Tunnel built in a special way?

[@RailwaysExplained]

@@johnjones8979 Marmaray Project was built to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 9. It is known that many similar types of tunnels are exposed to earthquakes similar to the expected magnitude in this region and they survived without major damage. Kobe Tunnel in Japan is example of how robust these tunnels can be built. In addition to the existing data, additional information and data were collected from the geological, geotechnical, geophysical, hydrographic and meteorological studies and surveys in the Marmaray Project, which was the basis for the design and construction of tunnels constructed using the latest and most modern civil engineering technologies.

[@loccusloccus5315]

Thumbs up, from someone who is following this project closely for many years. A few additions: 1. There are multiple stations along the line, corresponding with the remaining metro system of Istanbul, making Marmaray the backbone of public transportation in Istanbul, as it is the only line linking the entire network together. 2. Yenikapi is the most important transportation hub, connecting the M1 and M2 Metro lines with Marmaray. Further important transfer stations are Uskudar and Ayrilik Cesmesi on the asian side, with connections to M5 and M4 Metro and Sogutlucesme with connections to the Metrobus and the YHT high speed train which is connecting Istanbul with Ankara and Konya. On the european side, there is Sirkeci with connections to the trolley line, and many more transfer stations to come in the future, as the metro system is expanding substantially. 3. The tunnel section itself, between Kazlicesme and Ayrilik Cesmesi, is unfortunately only double tracked, while the remaining surface network was extended to 3 tracks and in certain areas even up to 4 or 5 tracks to allow passage of trains. 4. As dangerous freight will not be allowed through the tunnel section, there are plans to revitalize the traject (train ferry) between the 2 main train stations of Istanbul, at Sirkeci on the European side and Haydarpasa on the Asian side. 5. Speaking of these 2 central stations. They are currently out of order, but at least work on re-establishing Haydarpasa, as the main train station on the Asian side, has been started, with Marmaray tracks being currently laid to reach this station. Haydarpasa will serve as terminus for the YHT high speed trains to Ankara and Konya.

[@RailwaysExplained]

Wow. Thanks Loccus for this information. With this comment you added a new value to the video and out work.

[@kanishkmair2920]

Unfortunately, this country is doomed to be in a dictatorship soon

[@kaanosphere]

@@kanishkmair2920 already did.

[@DanielsUKT]

This link is important not only for the people of Istanbul but also for Europe-Asia rail connections great video

[@Lotplayz]

As someone who has rode this in June 2023 the underground tunnel between Europe and asia is pretty quick 2-3 minutes

[@savasgenc1908]

Excellent video. Fun fact: the flag on video at 2:32 is actually not the flag of the modern Turkey. It's a variation of flag of Ottoman Empire (kinda a period of late 1800s and early 1900s). Different proportion and direction of crescent and star

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you. Yeah, we know we made a mistake with a flag, but it was too late 😅

[@salihaktan]

@@RailwaysExplained You made a mistake in the wrong place. We Turks care a lot about our flag.

[@DerArmordesTodes]

Your videos are very professional, you absolutely deserve more subscribers! I'm very excited about the upcoming videos of this new series.

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you Amory. You can expect a lot of interesting, entertaining and in the same time educational videos.

[@unjustifiablyneglectedtopi8293]

There wasn't any rail link between European and Asian side of Istanbul before Marmaray?? I'm shocked :O

[@RailwaysExplained]

Exactly! Before, there was only a ferry line from one side to another, with re-loading of freight, as we described in the video. :)

[@mertserim9196]

Yes, before there were 2 main train stations in Istanbul, one on the Asian side, terminus for trains heading east and another main station on the European side of the city for the trains heading west (this was the terminus of the famous Orient Express). And you needed to take a ferry between the two stations. Both stations are at the coast so you could take the ferry right in front of one station, and disembark in front of the other station after a 10 minute-ferry ride. Now there is a rail tunnel between 2 stations since 2014.

[@leonpaelinck]

​@@mertserim9196this is actually quite common. In angw, Belgium for example there wasn't a rail tunnel crossing the Schelde river until 1970

[@Roy-db1oh]

Watching this from Marmaray!

[@gardengeek3041]

Just the right amount of detail. Thank you. Glad to see some Norwegian innovation was included.

[@route55qatar]

Will love to try the Istanbul metro trough the tunnel next time in Istanbul.

[@ardamn6435]

if you open the trains window while going through the "underwater tube" first thing you would notice is its incredibly cold down there, since its underwater and has no exposure to the sun its always around -15~ degrees celcius inside the tube but the trains have automatic interior heating and its always 22 degrees celcius source: marmaray.gov.tr/yolcu-hizmetleri/sik-sorulan-sorular/

[@milosstanojevic5834]

Very nice and informative, well done Railways Explained!

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you Milos!

[@theavastspy]

Nice video. A little mistake: the line at 1:44 is from Europe to Europe. Asia is not in the picture.

[@xiaoka]

You don’t explain how the China trains magically cross the Caspian Sea. ;-)

[@leonpaelinck]

A boat probably

[@michaelf7093]

I rode this in 2018. Very impressive! I think parts had just opened. But it's well integrated with the rest of the metro.

[@v.m.2526]

Sehr gutes Video! ich liebe die Stimme des Erzählers und ich finde die Geschichte über Marmaray sehr interessant. Danke

[@RailwaysExplained]

Danke für Ihre Unterstützung.

[@incisaruhan8941]

Any mention about the excavations (the List of the Licencees/Contractors, as well as the findings and archaelogicall reports and log books of the Turkish archaelogs?

[@Akeseli06]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4fWhoGGlquhiMUsi=rme7DK0tsXAnfiNj kzbin.info/www/bejne/l52nnKqmpdCVg8ksi=b1EhIBTBdJDNG3Pq

[@IngTomT]

1:44 The map you are showing here is solely showing Europe and not Asia. The connection depicted is across the Golden Horn, not the Bosphorus (which is at the very bottom of the picture)

[@donberg01]

The best in information is your exceptional vids!

[@klikeras1921]

Nice video! Good job 👌 Beautiful content! 🤗

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thanks Nidža.

[@jelenadjokic9679]

From video to video you are better and better. Keep it up Railways Explained team.

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thanks Jelena 😊

[@daokedao123]

Thank you for this again an amazing and informative video!

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you!

[@johnjones8979]

Great video. Amazing content. You deserve more subscribers!!! I believe that you will become best channel about railways.

[@SpotterCrazyperson]

That's a great project!

[@RailwaysExplained]

It really is!

[@harbymastopia9635]

Japan got no chill with helping to contributr to foreign infrastructure projects 🤣 Hope they wont stop ❤

[@veronapizza4358]

Not to forget the tunnel was constructed by Japanese company, which Turkey couldn’t do for 150 years after the plan was made. Not only japan finished building this master piece, they finished one year shorter than what they announced, decreased 10% of total cost for the construction for Turkey despite the fact they invented 3 new technologies in order to construct the tunnel.

[@prirodnjaktv]

Nice video! Well done Railways Explained !! Beautiful content!

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you 😊

[@SZfan]

I ride with this railway like 3 years ago and is perfect👌👌💪💪.

[@Rockstar-ls1uz]

Great project 👍

[@Localmozzy]

Theres already plans for a new metro line underneath the bosporus as well as a connection via the third istanbul Bridge connecting the cities two major airports

[@canborcbakan4206]

Very nice video👍🏻

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you.

[@roygbiv330]

today i watched a tv documentary on my country's tv, which dipicted a difficult Marmaray project from the viewpoint of the japanese engineers.

[@acozkan]

As a Turk i think Haydarpasha station should open for main line, YHT and Marmaray services

[@afd1040]

I think that would have not worked because of the angle.

[@uaberk]

​@@afd1040🥱

[@tapanghosh5748]

Very informative. Great job. Thanks 🙏

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thanks Tapan.

[@davidsteger1]

Could you please cover the Gotthard basement tunnel and the Brenner basement tunnel in this series?

[@felixgraham296]

Great video! Please make your audio recording mono for your next video, there are some sections of the video that sound slightly strange when listening with headphones.

[@zahirkhan7979]

A very informative piece of communication and content.keep it up.

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you

[@normhanson981]

Liked and subbed. Tremendous.

[@aimigoud2682]

Great video, hats off 😎 Especially the point you referred to the archaeological findings and the fact that it will inevitably lead to a delay and an increase of the final budget. Here in Thessaloniki we're trying to build a subway line but the administration wants to remove the medieval Egnatia street the archaeologists discovered from its original place and then put the findings back inside glasses like a musem 🤮 The archaeologists around the globe say this is as big of a discovery as Pompeii but they won't listen in the end, I'm sure...

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thanks for sharing. Regards to Saloniki :)

[@bojanadragicevic640]

Great video! Awesome ! 👍👍👍

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you :)

[@edwardbarnett6571]

I think a proven 600km/h Japanese maglev Sydney/Canberra driven in a single tunnel using 20 Chinese hardrock TBM would be just as cheap as surface rail to build thereby eliminating the need to buy land or build service roads, fences and bridges.

[@bungaraya19082013]

Thanks for a nice n amazing video

[@EJBTV]

I’m riding it everyday for work

[@arifdemircioglu7042]

woav looks awesome. i want to try marmaray in car and metro

[@lukazarkovic7019]

You are getting better with each new video. Congrats 👏Keep moving forward guys 🙂

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thanks Luka! ✊

[@zambush3180]

Sultan Abdulhamid would be proud seeing his people thriving . Mashallah , may Allah bless the muslim ummah

[@rashikc96]

Aameen

[@shrubbie1]

Keine mensch verstet es?

[@erdemihsanonay]

What does an engineering project have to do with a Allah and a Sultan? This project has been mostly paid for by a Japanese investment bank and the European Union. It has been designed and constructed mainly by Japanese, American and Turkish engineers, the railway technology has been installed by German Siemens and the stock is Spanish and Japanese. It is an international project, based on knowledge, science and technology.

[@Sedna063]

Americans should take a look. This is the reason why there is no excuse to not built a tunnel through the Tehalapi pass.

[@veronapizza4358]

Not to forget the tunnel was constructed by Japanese company, which Turkey couldn’t do for 150 years after the plan was made. Not only japan finished building this master piece, they finished one year shorter than what they announced, decreased 10% of total cost for the construction for Turkey despite the fact they invented 3 new technologies in order to construct the tunnel.

[@Akeseli06]

Yani japonlar çokmu akıllı. Onun içinmi hem ruslara hem amerikalılara yenildiler. 140 milyon insan volkanik kayaların üzerinde yaşıyorsa, bu aklı değil, beceriksizliği gösterir.

[@yusufkozan9979]

The "ay" in "ray" isn't pronounced like "ai" in "rail". Right pronunciation is more like the word " I ".

[@samtrak1204]

Was gauge changed to accommodate freight trains from China?

[@williamcondon7729]

At 2:30 you have the wrong year at the top of the graphic

[@RailwaysExplained]

Yes, it's a mistake.

[@hadislerlehadiseler.5915]

Hayirliiiii Olsuuun💕💕 Ben bir Azerbaycanli olarak 1 tane Baku Stop station olmasini cok arzu ederdim.

[@samanli-tw3id]

Please give priority to landing passengers.

[@michaellaudahn]

While I have a certain degree of understanding that you do not only use the metric system to indicate measures (but add in brackets the outdated anglo equivalent), I find it highly redundant that you then also pronounce both of them. When speaking, please limit yourself to the international measures, those viewers still dependent on the old style will find it on the screen.

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thanks for the advice. We changed that in the later videos.

[@syedmaazmustafa2485]

Tremendous and incredibly informative video!Also it would be great if you could make it in the same way for Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad rail transit trade! That would be Awesome!

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you! We have it in mind, so, yes, that will be the topic some day.

[@uros1741]

Impressive 👍

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thank you Uros.

[@tiago58]

It is not necessary to convert from kilometers to miles every time. Just state the distance in kilometers and let the conversions to the viewer.

[@tafana]

2:31 wtf is that flag, looks nothing like turkey

[@RailwaysExplained]

Sorry, we accidentally put the Ottoman flag

[@edwardmortimer2150]

It would nice for one day you can catch a train from London and end up somewhere in Asia

[@RailwaysExplained]

Not quite rational because of air traffic, but for us enthusiasts, why not 😎

[@edwardmortimer2150]

@@RailwaysExplained yeh, it would be cool, and as a excuse Its better for the environment than planes 🙄

[@loccusloccus5315]

This is already possible today, or let's say it will be possible again after the covid restrictions are lifted. That journey takes 3 days and there are 3 different routes to choose from. I suggest reading the step-by-step guide on seat61.com, which is btw. one of the best sources for train lovers www.seat61.com/Turkey.htm

[@thereyougo6543]

Marmaray rather reminds me of Unagi.

[@jurgenjurgen7212]

Great !!!

[@NikanDragosysSerpenDra]

Where is the DUTCH RAILWAY Video, is it removed, unavailable or patreon only, because i can pay patreon, let alone for each channel, youtube should reffering to pateon at cost of viewing availability, ban this.

[@RailwaysExplained]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXOYf5ekbKiVpqM Enjoy! 😉

[@RentGotDrip]

Railway oh shoot

[@NikanDragosysSerpenDra]

I can create such a video in just a few hours

[@zaferdurusoy8073]

Turkish National Flag is wrong! Please correct it!

[@Meleg83]

Mentioning measures in imperial is fucking useless!

[@pandabaerhellas]

Nice But are you shure about tunnel BORING machine???? I know this as tunnelDRILLINGmachine with tunnel drilling head...

[@maxwalker1159]

Cool

[@carloshg5]

please spanish thanks you.....------......por favor en castellano tambien gracias.......

[@RailwaysExplained]

Hemos agregado una traducción al español. Gracias por tu apoyo.

[@abdulgaffarshawon9522]

Nice

[@RailwaysExplained]

Thanks Abdul!

[@gonzalomurillo8713]

TRADUCCION ORAL O BAJAR VIDEO

[@AerospaceTechnologies]

Unfortunately, this video is a big disappointment for me. This video contains lots of wrong information and visuals.

[@mawazoselemani614]

Turkish empire

[@v.m.2526]

Sehr gutes Video! ich liebe die Stimme des Erzählers und ich finde die Geschichte über Marmaray sehr interessant. Danke