(HD) Trams in Istanbul 01 & 02/04/13

Now available in 1080p HD!
In my opinion one of the greatest light rail systems in operation at present, the Istanbul Tram system has become an integral part of the city's day to day running, effortlessly cutting through the bustling traffic system from the outer suburbs to the city centre, incorporating itself superbly with the ancient Turkish capital.
The first trams to run in Istanbul began operation in 1860 and were powered by horses, these were replaced in 1912 by the first electric trams on the European side and was extended throughout the early 1920's to incorporate 12 routes. In 1928 the first route opened on the Asian side and in the 1950's the tram reached its peak of 37 routes. However, decline in demand and introduction of diesel buses and trolleybuses saw their services reduced and in 1961 services ceased on the European side, followed by the Asian side in 1966.
However, a return of demand in the 1990's saw the first tram route reopened in 1992 with a modernised outlook that had now been incorporated by LRT systems worldwide. This route ran from the outer suburbs to the western end of the Galata Bridge, along the route of what is now Line 1. In 2003, the circular heritage tramway opened on the Asian side and in 2005, Line 1 was extended across the Galata bridge to Kadıköy for the first time since 1961.
Today, the LRT system's fleet compromises mainly of the Bombardier Flexity Swift A32 stock that was built in 2000, a class designation shared with the new M5000 trams used on the Manchester Metrolink. Also being used are the newly introduced Citadis X-04 trams which were introduced in 2009, and the system now boasts one of the most modern trams in service.
Enjoy!

[@rorymacve]

LRT truly is the way forward for metropolitan regions I think, but the Istanbul one is truly fascinating. I hope your LRT project goes well, maybe one day I'll come over and have a ride on it myself :D

[@rorymacve]

Thank you very much, you really are kind, there's still plenty more videos due, just as soon as I've edited them I'll put them up for you :D

[@ademcavusoglu8995]

Raids Midididkd1acVeigh ve 1.bolum xdxb ö

[@sam8alex12]

Well Rory ive watched all your films you sent me. And enjoyed traveling with you,its nice to see other countries trams and trains, In places along the tracks, a drop of weedol would do the wonders,I enjoyed seeing all those colourful trams in Istanbul.
So many Thanks..

[@abe538]

brings back a lot of memories! I used to live there and I rode this tram hundred of times ! god bless the good days

[@ijlalfarooqi128]

Superb Istanbul,excellent Trams equally wonderful video.Thanks for sharing...

[@ademcavusoglu8995]

Ijlal Farooqi

[@Utaustinesl]

Thanks sir for this great video from my home town.I've already missed it

[@ademcavusoglu8995]

Utaustinesl

[@rorymacve]

Thanks :D

[@CameronLandels]

I went to Istanbul recently, (I uploaded some videos of the tram on my channel). The tram was really clean, smart, modern and good to get around and connect with other transport options.

[@tavalli]

Very good video, nice Istanbul!

[@DerReiseKanal]

nice

[@pavlosxa7328]

ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΤΑ ΤΡΑΜ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΚΑΙΝΟΥΡΓΙΑ!