[2] The Karesi Express serviced 6 provincial capitals: İzmir, Manisa, Balıkesir, Kütahya, Eskişehir and Ankara.

On April 23, 1938 the Karesi Express made its first run from İzmir to Ankara.

The all pullman train made the 824 km long journey in about 18 hours.

On April 1, 1972, another train was put into service between İzmir and Ankara: the 9th of September Express.

On 1 April 2013 the route of the Karesi Express was cut back to Balıkesir.