A Really Great Train Museum

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else know about a really neat train museum near Izmir in Turkey? They must have 30 steam locomotives on display in a wonderful, parklike setting. My friend, a former tour guide in Turkey, had been telling me about it for years, and we finally found time for him to take me there. It's not the easiest place to reach; maybe a 20 minute drive from Selcuk- the gateway city to the ruins of Ephesus- but a good hotel should be able to arrange a car and driver and it's well worth the effort! In case someone else has been there before and was perhaps disappointed, my friend was surprised at the level of investment that has very recently been completed. Practically all the engines have been painted, there are new buildings, and they were setting up a very fancy service for some sort of reception later in the day we were there. Typical of things Turki***he exhibits were top-notch, but there was no book or any sort of souvenirs to buy (and help support the place) only a few postcards- not even a brochure or a website!

Most of the locos were of European manufacture, but there were some American models as well. Not much in the way of rolling stock, but a couple of snowblowers and some cranes round things out.