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I read on Wikipedia that the extension from Poti to Batumi didn't exist until the 1960s.

The map graphic on the wiki also makes it look like there was no road to Batum/Batumi in WWI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcaucasus_Railway

Perhaps consider deleting it.

Chernobyl wrote: Sun Apr 23, 2023 10:16 pm I read on Wikipedia that the extension from Poti to Batumi didn't exist until the 1960s.

The map graphic on the wiki also makes it look like there was no road to Batum/Batumi in WWI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcaucasus_Railway

Perhaps consider deleting it.

According to this map and others there was a RR link to Batumi from Baku. I found quite a few maps depicting a secondary line running from Baku to Batumi south of the Caucasus mountains through Armenia and Georgia.
There definitely were roads too, including military grade roads lacing the area.
Here is a German map published in 1912.

I read the Wiki and it conflicts with this map.
More research is required here I bet. The Wiki seems pretty well written though but I have seen errors with Wikipedia. Maps too haha.

Thanks for the research. Yes my only source was wikipedia, which is sometimes incorrect.

Chernobyl wrote: Tue May 02, 2023 3:49 am Thanks for the research. Yes my only source was wikipedia, which is sometimes incorrect.

Well I'm going to look more. It does show a spur down to Batumi just east of Poti. What's interesting about this map is that it shows every station on the lines. Very thorough I must say.
I remember going down the RR rabbit hole 2 years ago when researching Bosnian railroads during the 'Montenegro Gambit' discussions...a real pleasure actually.
I'll see what else I can dig up concerning the link to Batumi.

Edit...found this on an article concerning the history of railroads in what is now independent Georgia:
"The Tbilisi to Baku line became operational in 1883, allowing transportation of Azeri oil through the port of Batumi."
Still looking for more evidence...not entirely convinced one way or the other.