Atatürk's Machinist Mehmet Saygaç

Mehmet Saygaç, the train driver who took Atatürk from Malatya to Diyarbakır, died on October 15, 2008 at the age of 98. Saygaç, who lived in Eskişehir, had 4 children and 6 grandchildren.

Mehmet Saygaç, who started working as an apprentice when he was 16 at the State Railways Sivas Plant after his duty as a native, worked as a machinist on steam trains after working for 4 years. Saygaç worked as a mechanic during the 4.5 years of dormitory trips using Atatürk's railway.

Before his death, Mehmet Saygaç told the journalists that in 1936 he brought Atatürk to Diyarbakır by train from Malatya. Saygaç said:

I was the mechanic of the train he took on from Atatürk, Diyarbakır, Erzurum, Haydarpaşa, İskenderun from Ankara. The most honorable and most joyful days were those days. Because I was carrying Atatürk. Atatürk was the ancestor of the Turkish nation. I do not believe it will be no longer a person has a more in Turkey. Atatürk used to travel in clean, white wagons. He would come to us before getting on the train. We would give him an offer. We would take Atatürk to the last station. At the last station, the garda was given a feast. We wouldn't have feasted on that, but that white train had a dining room. In that hall, 2 machinists, 2 shooters, brought us food as a chef. We had our meals there. You can no longer see the food from there. He made very delicious, very delicious, good food. Today, this country and even foreign states need a leader like Atatürk. ”

I HAVE DELIVERED ATATÜRK TO DİYARBAKIR AT THE TIME I WANTED ”

Mehmet Saygaç, who burst into tears while telling a memory he lived while taking Atatürk to Diyarbakır, said, “I was taking Atatürk to Diyarbakır one day. We arrived at Ergani Station, we were supplying water to the machine. Meanwhile, Atatürk ordered "Let him enter Diyarbakır at 18.00". I was not able to enter at this hour, I objected. But since Atatürk ordered, I wanted me to be allowed to travel between Ergani and Diyarbakır at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour. Investigators gave permission. Because then the line was new, there was no speed more than 40 kilometers per hour. At a speed of 50 kilometers per hour, inspectors boarded me and we arrived in Diyarbakır at exactly 18.00. Atatürk then called me to his side. 'Why did you first appeal and then enter Diyarbakır at 18.00?' asked. I explained the situation. 'Pasha, 40 kilometers per hour speed permission has been granted, 50 kilometers per hour, I have to go to Diyarbakır at any time. Investigators took responsibility, I entered Diyarbakır at 18.00. May Allah keep them, they would hang me if the wagon carrying you rolled over. This train carries the Ancestor of the Turkish nation, it is not easy. ' Then he liked it so much that he had a tall man with him. He pointed at him. They gave me an envelope. I didn't know what that envelope was. After Atatürk left, I opened the envelope and my eyes were alive. There was 5 times the salary I received with the money of that period in the envelope. He gave me bonuses. I wish I had saved those coins. Then he called me to all his travels. At the end of each trip, I was given 5 salary bonuses. I probably liked to use the machine. Now, I am looking for Atatürk so much that I cry when I remember those days. ” he spoke.