Pehlivanköy–Svilengrad railway

The Edirne cut-off is an long rail line from Pehlivanköy, Turkey to Svilengrad, Bulgaria. The line was built in 1971 by the Turkish State Railways in order to avoid crossing the border with Greece twice, on the former Chemins [de fer Orientaux|Oriental Railway's] main line, in order to get to Edirne. The Hellenic [Railways Organisation] also built a cut-off from Neo Vyssa to Marasia in the same year. These two new rail lines led to the abandonment of the former CO main line in to Edirne Karaağaç [Railway Station].

Route description

From Pehlivanköy, the line follows the line to Pythio for about 5 km before turning North West to go to Edirne [railway station|Edirne] in almost straight line across flat lands. Near Edirne, the line is on the bank of the Meriç River (Maritsa), squeezed between the river itself and the old city. The line goes over the Tunca (Tundzha) river and then goes in almost straight line again to Kapıkule railway station. the Bulgarian border is crossed after Kapıkule and before Kapitan Andrevo. Finally, the line will cross the Maritsa to enter Svilengrad station.