TCDD Malıköy Tren İstasyonu Müzesi

About TCDD Malıköy Tren İstasyonu Müzesi

The TCDD Malıköy Train Station Museum occupies the historic Malıköy railway station on the Ankara-Eskişehir line, west of the city. During the Battle of Sakarya in 1921 the station was, after the main command headquarters, the most important base of the Turkish army: it served as a logistics centre, infirmary, ammunition depot and airstrip, and trains for the front were dispatched and managed from here. The decision to turn the station into a museum was taken in 2007, and it opened on 1 June 2008 with joint contributions from the Ministry of Transport, TCDD and the General Staff. Exhibits include a German-built locomotive of 1897 that was used during the Battle of Sakarya and restored by TCDD, a German-built carriage of 1909 and two faithful replica aircraft, shown with the sound of planes and trains to evoke the period. Railway equipment from the War of Independence, sculptures and visual material tell the story of the war. In the grounds stand a monument to the 5,713 soldiers killed at Sakarya and a statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in civilian dress. TCDD put the museum through a comprehensive restoration in 2025: the monument and carriage were restored, the infirmary and communications room were rearranged and an Atatürk Corner was added. In January 2026 the work was reported to be complete, with reopening planned shortly afterwards. Practical notes: TCDD lists visiting hours of 09:00-17:00 on weekdays, with free entry. Kültür Portalı says the museum is reached from the Ankara-Eskişehir road at the 30th km, turning at the organised industrial zone junction and continuing about 6 km. TCDD and Wikipedia place it in Polatlı district, while current OpenStreetMap boundaries put the station in Sincan. Given the recent restoration, it is worth calling ahead before visiting.