The route traversed the southern shore of Istanbul's Asian side, passing through important districts: Kadıköy, Maltepe, Kartal, Pendik and Tuzla.

This line was at first built for the Sultan, but later served the heavy population along the northeastern shores of the Sea of Marmara.

The Ottoman government soon sold the line to a private enterprise, the Anatolian Railway (CFOA).

The newly formed State Railways (TCDD) continued the commuter service formerly provided by the CFOA.

The planned reopening in June 2015 was delayed until March 2019 when the line went back into service despite protests from the unions that final tests had not yet been completed.