diff --git a/arangod/Replication/ContinuousSyncer.cpp b/arangod/Replication/ContinuousSyncer.cpp
index 124b0098af..b6bd9e34f6 100644
--- a/arangod/Replication/ContinuousSyncer.cpp
+++ b/arangod/Replication/ContinuousSyncer.cpp
@@ -97,6 +97,15 @@ ContinuousSyncer::ContinuousSyncer (TRI_server_t* server,
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 ContinuousSyncer::~ContinuousSyncer () {
+  // abort all running transactions
+  for (auto& it : _openInitialTransactions) {
+    auto trx = it.second;
+
+    if (trx != nullptr) {
+      trx->abort();
+      delete trx;
+    }
+  }
 }
 
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -217,15 +226,49 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::saveApplierState () {
   return res;
 }
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-/// @brief whether or not a collection should be excluded
+/// @brief whether or not a marker should be skipped
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-bool ContinuousSyncer::excludeCollection (TRI_json_t const* json) const {
-  if (_restrictType == RESTRICT_NONE && _includeSystem) {
-    return false;
+bool ContinuousSyncer::skipMarker (TRI_voc_tick_t firstRegularTick,
+                                   TRI_json_t const* json) const {
+  bool tooOld = false;
+  string const tick = JsonHelper::getStringValue(json, "tick", "");
+
+  if (! tick.empty()) {
+    tooOld = (static_cast<TRI_voc_tick_t>(StringUtils::uint64(tick.c_str(), tick.size())) < firstRegularTick);
+
+    if (tooOld) {
+      int typeValue = JsonHelper::getNumericValue<int>(json, "type", 0);
+      // handle marker type
+      TRI_replication_operation_e type = (TRI_replication_operation_e) typeValue;
+
+      if (type == REPLICATION_MARKER_DOCUMENT || 
+          type == REPLICATION_MARKER_EDGE || 
+          type == REPLICATION_MARKER_REMOVE ||
+          type == REPLICATION_TRANSACTION_START ||
+          type == REPLICATION_TRANSACTION_ABORT ||
+          type == REPLICATION_TRANSACTION_COMMIT) {
+        // read "tid" entry from marker
+        string const id = JsonHelper::getStringValue(json, "tid", "");
+
+        if (! id.empty()) {
+          TRI_voc_tid_t tid = static_cast<TRI_voc_tid_t>(StringUtils::uint64(id.c_str(), id.size()));
+
+          if (tid > 0 && 
+              _openInitialTransactions.find(tid) != _openInitialTransactions.end()) {
+            // must still use this marker as it belongs to a transaction we need to finish
+            tooOld = false;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
   }
 
-  if (! TRI_IsObjectJson(json)) {
+  if (tooOld) {
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  if (_restrictType == RESTRICT_NONE && _includeSystem) {
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -369,14 +412,17 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::processDocument (TRI_replication_operation_e type,
   }
 
   if (tid > 0) {
-    auto it = _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.find(tid);
+    auto it = _openInitialTransactions.find(tid);
 
-    if (it == _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.end()) {
+    if (it == _openInitialTransactions.end()) {
       return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_UNEXPECTED_TRANSACTION;
     }
 
     auto trx = (*it).second;
-    TRI_ASSERT(trx != nullptr);
+
+    if (trx == nullptr) {
+      return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_UNEXPECTED_TRANSACTION;
+    }
 
     TRI_transaction_collection_t* trxCollection = trx->trxCollection(cid);
 
@@ -443,35 +489,35 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::startTransaction (TRI_json_t const* json) {
   // note: this is the remote transaction id!
   TRI_voc_tid_t tid = static_cast<TRI_voc_tid_t>(StringUtils::uint64(id.c_str(), id.size()));
 
-  auto it = _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.find(tid);
+  auto it = _openInitialTransactions.find(tid);
 
-  if (it != _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.end()) {
+  if (it != _openInitialTransactions.end()) {
+    // found a previous version of the same transaction - should not happen...
     auto trx = (*it).second;
+    
+    _openInitialTransactions.erase(tid);
 
-    _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.erase(tid);
+    if (trx != nullptr) {
+      // abort ongoing trx
+      delete trx; 
+    }
 
-    // abort ongoing trx
-    delete trx; 
   }
   
   TRI_ASSERT(tid > 0);
 
-  LOG_TRACE("starting replication transaction %llu", (unsigned long long) tid);
+  LOG_TRACE("starting transaction %llu", (unsigned long long) tid);
  
-  auto trx = new ReplicationTransaction(_server, _vocbase, tid);
-
-  if (trx == nullptr) {
-    return TRI_ERROR_OUT_OF_MEMORY;
-  }
+  std::unique_ptr<ReplicationTransaction> trx(new ReplicationTransaction(_server, _vocbase, tid));
 
   int res = trx->begin();
 
   if (res != TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR) {
-    delete trx;
     return res;
   }
 
-  _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.insert(it, std::make_pair(tid, trx));
+  _openInitialTransactions[tid] = trx.get();
+  trx.release();
 
   return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
 }
@@ -489,12 +535,12 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::abortTransaction (TRI_json_t const* json) {
   }
 
   // transaction id
-  // note: this is the remote trasnaction id!
+  // note: this is the remote transaction id!
   TRI_voc_tid_t const tid = static_cast<TRI_voc_tid_t>(StringUtils::uint64(id.c_str(), id.size()));
 
-  auto it = _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.find(tid);
+  auto it = _openInitialTransactions.find(tid);
 
-  if (it == _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.end()) {
+  if (it == _openInitialTransactions.end()) {
     // invalid state, no transaction was started.
     return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_UNEXPECTED_TRANSACTION;
   }
@@ -504,12 +550,16 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::abortTransaction (TRI_json_t const* json) {
   LOG_TRACE("abort replication transaction %llu", (unsigned long long) tid);
 
   auto trx = (*it).second;
-  _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.erase(tid);
+  _openInitialTransactions.erase(tid);
 
-  int res = trx->abort();
-  delete trx;
+  if (trx != nullptr) {
+    int res = trx->abort();
+    delete trx;
 
-  return res;
+    return res;
+  }
+
+  return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_UNEXPECTED_TRANSACTION;
 }
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -528,8 +578,9 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::commitTransaction (TRI_json_t const* json) {
   // note: this is the remote trasnaction id!
   TRI_voc_tid_t const tid = static_cast<TRI_voc_tid_t>(StringUtils::uint64(id.c_str(), id.size()));
 
-  auto it = _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.find(tid);
-  if (it == _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.end()) {
+  auto it = _openInitialTransactions.find(tid);
+
+  if (it == _openInitialTransactions.end()) {
     // invalid state, no transaction was started.
     return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_UNEXPECTED_TRANSACTION;
   }
@@ -539,12 +590,16 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::commitTransaction (TRI_json_t const* json) {
   LOG_TRACE("committing replication transaction %llu", (unsigned long long) tid);
   
   auto trx = (*it).second;
-  _applier->_runningRemoteTransactions.erase(tid);
+  _openInitialTransactions.erase(tid);
 
-  int res = trx->commit();
-  delete trx;
+  if (trx != nullptr) {
+    int res = trx->commit();
+    delete trx;
 
-  return res;
+    return res;
+  }
+    
+  return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_UNEXPECTED_TRANSACTION;
 }
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -621,15 +676,6 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::changeCollection (TRI_json_t const* json) {
 int ContinuousSyncer::applyLogMarker (TRI_json_t const* json,
                                       string& errorMsg) {
 
-  static const string invalidMsg = "received invalid JSON data";
-
-  // check data
-  if (! JsonHelper::isObject(json)) {
-    errorMsg = invalidMsg;
-
-    return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_INVALID_RESPONSE;
-  }
-
   // fetch marker "type"
   int typeValue = JsonHelper::getNumericValue<int>(json, "type", 0);
 
@@ -708,6 +754,7 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::applyLogMarker (TRI_json_t const* json,
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 int ContinuousSyncer::applyLog (SimpleHttpResult* response,
+                                TRI_voc_tick_t firstRegularTick,
                                 std::string& errorMsg,
                                 uint64_t& processedMarkers,
                                 uint64_t& ignoreCount) {
@@ -746,10 +793,16 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::applyLog (SimpleHttpResult* response,
     if (json == nullptr) {
       return TRI_ERROR_OUT_OF_MEMORY;
     }
+  
+    if (! TRI_IsObjectJson(json.get())) {
+      errorMsg = "received invalid JSON data";
+
+      return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_INVALID_RESPONSE;
+    }
 
     int res;
     bool skipped;
-    if (excludeCollection(json.get())) {
+    if (skipMarker(firstRegularTick, json.get())) {
       // entry is skipped
       res = TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
       skipped = true;
@@ -808,7 +861,6 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::applyLog (SimpleHttpResult* response,
 int ContinuousSyncer::runContinuousSync (string& errorMsg) {
   uint64_t connectRetries = 0;
   uint64_t inactiveCycles = 0;
-  int res                 = TRI_ERROR_INTERNAL;
 
   // get start tick
   // ---------------------------------------
@@ -836,7 +888,19 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::runContinuousSync (string& errorMsg) {
     return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_NO_START_TICK;
   }
 
-  // TODO: get the applier into a sensible start state...
+  // get the applier into a sensible start state by fetching the list of
+  // open transactions from the master
+  TRI_voc_tick_t fetchTick = 0;
+  int res = fetchMasterState(errorMsg, 0, fromTick, fetchTick);
+
+  if (res != TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR) {
+    return res;
+  }
+
+  if (fetchTick > fromTick) {
+    // must not happen
+    return TRI_ERROR_INTERNAL;
+  }
 
   // run in a loop. the loop is terminated when the applier is stopped or an
   // error occurs
@@ -844,8 +908,8 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::runContinuousSync (string& errorMsg) {
     bool worked;
     bool masterActive = false;
 
-    // fromTick is passed by reference!
-    res = followMasterLog(errorMsg, fromTick, _configuration._ignoreErrors, worked, masterActive);
+    // fetchTick is passed by reference!
+    res = followMasterLog(errorMsg, fetchTick, fromTick, _configuration._ignoreErrors, worked, masterActive);
 
     uint64_t sleepTime;
 
@@ -928,12 +992,125 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::runContinuousSync (string& errorMsg) {
   return res;
 }
 
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+/// @brief fetch the initial master state
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+int ContinuousSyncer::fetchMasterState (string& errorMsg,
+                                        TRI_voc_tick_t fromTick,
+                                        TRI_voc_tick_t toTick,
+                                        TRI_voc_tick_t& startTick) {
+  string const baseUrl = BaseUrl + "/determine-open-transactions";
+
+  map<string, string> headers;
+
+  string const url = baseUrl + 
+                     "?serverId=" + _localServerIdString +
+                     "&from=" + StringUtils::itoa(fromTick) +
+                     "&to=" + StringUtils::itoa(toTick);
+  
+  string const progress = "fetching initial master state with from tick " + StringUtils::itoa(fromTick) + ", toTick " + StringUtils::itoa(toTick);
+
+  LOG_TRACE("fetching initial master state with from tick %llu, to tick %llu, url %s",
+            (unsigned long long) fromTick,
+            (unsigned long long) toTick,
+            url.c_str());
+
+  // send request
+  setProgress(progress.c_str());
+
+  SimpleHttpResult* response = _client->request(HttpRequest::HTTP_REQUEST_GET,
+                                                url,
+                                                nullptr,
+                                                0,
+                                                headers);
+
+  if (response == nullptr || ! response->isComplete()) {
+    errorMsg = "got invalid response from master at " + string(_masterInfo._endpoint) +
+               ": " + _client->getErrorMessage();
+
+    if (response != nullptr) {
+      delete response;
+    }
+
+    return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_NO_RESPONSE;
+  }
+
+  if (response->wasHttpError()) {
+    errorMsg = "got invalid response from master at " + string(_masterInfo._endpoint) +
+               ": HTTP " + StringUtils::itoa(response->getHttpReturnCode()) +
+               ": " + response->getHttpReturnMessage();
+
+    delete response;
+
+    return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_MASTER_ERROR;
+  }
+
+  bool fromIncluded = false;
+
+  bool found;
+  string header = response->getHeaderField(TRI_REPLICATION_HEADER_FROMPRESENT, found);
+
+  if (found) {
+    fromIncluded = StringUtils::boolean(header);
+  }
+  
+  if (! fromIncluded && 
+      _requireFromPresent) {
+    errorMsg = "required tick value '" + StringUtils::itoa(fromTick) + "' is not present on master at " + string(_masterInfo._endpoint);
+    delete response;
+
+    return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_START_TICK_NOT_PRESENT;
+  }
+
+  // fetch the tick from where we need to start scanning later
+  header = response->getHeaderField(TRI_REPLICATION_HEADER_LASTTICK, found);
+
+  if (! found) {
+    errorMsg = "got invalid response from master at " + string(_masterInfo._endpoint) +
+                ": required header " + TRI_REPLICATION_HEADER_LASTTICK + " is missing";
+
+    delete response;
+    return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_INVALID_RESPONSE;
+  }
+
+  startTick = StringUtils::uint64(header);
+
+  StringBuffer& data = response->getBody();
+  std::unique_ptr<TRI_json_t> json(TRI_JsonString(TRI_UNKNOWN_MEM_ZONE, data.begin()));
+
+  delete response;
+
+  if (! TRI_IsArrayJson(json.get())) {
+    errorMsg = "got invalid response from master at " + string(_masterInfo._endpoint) +
+                ": invalid response type for initial data. expecting array";
+    
+    return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_INVALID_RESPONSE;
+  }
+  
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < TRI_LengthArrayJson(json.get()); ++i) {
+    auto id = static_cast<TRI_json_t const*>(TRI_AtVector(&(json.get()->_value._objects), i));
+
+    if (! TRI_IsStringJson(id)) {
+      errorMsg = "got invalid response from master at " + string(_masterInfo._endpoint) +
+                  ": invalid response type for initial data. expecting array of ids";
+    
+      return TRI_ERROR_REPLICATION_INVALID_RESPONSE;
+    }
+
+    _openInitialTransactions.emplace(StringUtils::uint64(id->_value._string.data, id->_value._string.length - 1), nullptr);
+  }
+
+  return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
+}
+
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief run the continuous synchronisation
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 int ContinuousSyncer::followMasterLog (string& errorMsg,
-                                       TRI_voc_tick_t& fromTick,
+                                       TRI_voc_tick_t& fetchTick,
+                                       TRI_voc_tick_t firstRegularTick,
                                        uint64_t& ignoreCount,
                                        bool& worked,
                                        bool& masterActive) {
@@ -942,24 +1119,48 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::followMasterLog (string& errorMsg,
   map<string, string> headers;
   worked = false;
 
-  string const tickString = StringUtils::itoa(fromTick);
+  string const tickString = StringUtils::itoa(fetchTick);
   string const url = baseUrl + 
                      "&from=" + tickString + 
+                     "&firstRegular=" + StringUtils::itoa(firstRegularTick) + 
                      "&serverId=" + _localServerIdString + 
                      "&includeSystem=" + (_includeSystem ? "true" : "false");
 
   LOG_TRACE("running continuous replication request with tick %llu, url %s",
-            (unsigned long long) fromTick,
+            (unsigned long long) fetchTick,
             url.c_str());
 
   // send request
   string const progress = "fetching master log from offset " + tickString;
   setProgress(progress.c_str());
 
-  SimpleHttpResult* response = _client->request(HttpRequest::HTTP_REQUEST_GET,
+  std::string body;
+
+  if (! _openInitialTransactions.empty()) {
+    // stringify list of open transactions
+    body.append("[\"");
+    bool first = true;
+
+    for (auto& it : _openInitialTransactions) {
+      if (first) {
+        first = false;
+      }
+      else {
+        body.append("\",\"");
+      }
+
+      body.append(StringUtils::itoa(it.first));
+    }
+    body.append("\"]");
+  }
+  else {
+    body.append("[]");
+  }
+
+  SimpleHttpResult* response = _client->request(HttpRequest::HTTP_REQUEST_PUT,
                                                 url,
-                                                nullptr,
-                                                0,
+                                                body.c_str(),
+                                                body.size(),
                                                 headers);
 
   if (response == nullptr || ! response->isComplete()) {
@@ -1011,8 +1212,8 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::followMasterLog (string& errorMsg,
     if (found) {
       tick = StringUtils::uint64(header);
 
-      if (tick > fromTick) {
-        fromTick = tick;
+      if (tick > fetchTick) {
+        fetchTick = tick;
         worked = true;
       }
       else {
@@ -1052,7 +1253,7 @@ int ContinuousSyncer::followMasterLog (string& errorMsg,
     }
 
     uint64_t processedMarkers = 0;
-    res = applyLog(response, errorMsg, processedMarkers, ignoreCount);
+    res = applyLog(response, firstRegularTick, errorMsg, processedMarkers, ignoreCount);
 
     if (processedMarkers > 0) {
       worked = true;
diff --git a/arangod/Replication/ContinuousSyncer.h b/arangod/Replication/ContinuousSyncer.h
index 0d010d4268..6f4f3f9896 100644
--- a/arangod/Replication/ContinuousSyncer.h
+++ b/arangod/Replication/ContinuousSyncer.h
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ namespace triagens {
   }
 
  namespace arango {
+    class ReplicationTransaction;
 
     enum RestrictType : uint32_t {
       RESTRICT_NONE,
@@ -128,7 +129,8 @@ namespace triagens {
 /// @brief whether or not a collection should be excluded
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-        bool excludeCollection (struct TRI_json_t const*) const;
+        bool skipMarker (TRI_voc_tick_t,
+                         struct TRI_json_t const*) const;
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief whether or not a collection should be excluded
@@ -192,6 +194,7 @@ namespace triagens {
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
         int applyLog (httpclient::SimpleHttpResult*,
+                      TRI_voc_tick_t,
                       std::string&,
                       uint64_t&,
                       uint64_t&);
@@ -202,12 +205,22 @@ namespace triagens {
 
         int runContinuousSync (std::string&);
 
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+/// @brief fetch the initial master state
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+        int fetchMasterState (std::string&,
+                              TRI_voc_tick_t,
+                              TRI_voc_tick_t,
+                              TRI_voc_tick_t&);
+
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief run the continuous synchronisation
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
         int followMasterLog (std::string&,
                              TRI_voc_tick_t&,
+                             TRI_voc_tick_t,
                              uint64_t&,
                              bool&,
                              bool&);
@@ -267,6 +280,12 @@ namespace triagens {
 
         bool _requireFromPresent;
 
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+/// @brief which transactions were open and need to be treated specially
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+        std::unordered_map<TRI_voc_tid_t, ReplicationTransaction*> _openInitialTransactions;
+
     };
 
   }
diff --git a/arangod/RestHandler/RestReplicationHandler.cpp b/arangod/RestHandler/RestReplicationHandler.cpp
index c3dc04630e..4470c638dc 100644
--- a/arangod/RestHandler/RestReplicationHandler.cpp
+++ b/arangod/RestHandler/RestReplicationHandler.cpp
@@ -120,7 +120,8 @@ HttpHandler::status_t RestReplicationHandler::execute () {
       handleCommandLoggerFirstTick();
     }
     else if (command == "logger-follow") {
-      if (type != HttpRequest::HTTP_REQUEST_GET) {
+      if (type != HttpRequest::HTTP_REQUEST_GET &&
+          type != HttpRequest::HTTP_REQUEST_PUT) {
         goto BAD_CALL;
       }
       handleCommandLoggerFollow();
@@ -1098,7 +1099,8 @@ void RestReplicationHandler::handleCommandLoggerFollow () {
   // determine start and end tick
   triagens::wal::LogfileManagerState state = triagens::wal::LogfileManager::instance()->state();
   TRI_voc_tick_t tickStart = 0;
-  TRI_voc_tick_t tickEnd   = state.lastDataTick;
+  TRI_voc_tick_t tickEnd = state.lastDataTick;
+  TRI_voc_tick_t firstRegularTick = 0;
 
   bool found;
   char const* value;
@@ -1128,6 +1130,39 @@ void RestReplicationHandler::handleCommandLoggerFollow () {
     includeSystem = StringUtils::boolean(value);
   }
 
+  // grab list of transactions from the body value
+  std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_tid_t> transactionIds;
+
+  if (_request->requestType() == triagens::rest::HttpRequest::HTTP_REQUEST_PUT) {
+    value = _request->value("firstRegularTick", found);
+    if (found) {
+      firstRegularTick = static_cast<TRI_voc_tick_t>(StringUtils::uint64(value));
+    }
+
+    char const* ptr = _request->body();
+    
+    std::unique_ptr<TRI_json_t> json(TRI_JsonString(TRI_UNKNOWN_MEM_ZONE, ptr));
+
+    if (! TRI_IsArrayJson(json.get())) {
+      generateError(HttpResponse::BAD,
+                    TRI_ERROR_HTTP_BAD_PARAMETER,
+                    "invalid body value. expecting array");
+      return;
+    }
+  
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < TRI_LengthArrayJson(json.get()); ++i) {
+      auto id = static_cast<TRI_json_t const*>(TRI_AtVector(&(json.get()->_value._objects), i));
+      if (! TRI_IsStringJson(id)) {
+        generateError(HttpResponse::BAD,
+                      TRI_ERROR_HTTP_BAD_PARAMETER,
+                      "invalid body value. expecting array of ids");
+        return;
+      }
+    
+      transactionIds.emplace(StringUtils::uint64(id->_value._string.data, id->_value._string.length - 1));
+    }
+  }
+  
   int res = TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
 
   try {
@@ -1135,7 +1170,7 @@ void RestReplicationHandler::handleCommandLoggerFollow () {
     TRI_replication_dump_t dump(_vocbase, (size_t) determineChunkSize(), includeSystem);
 
     // and dump
-    res = TRI_DumpLogReplication(&dump, tickStart, tickEnd, false);
+    res = TRI_DumpLogReplication(&dump, transactionIds, firstRegularTick, tickStart, tickEnd, false);
 
     if (res == TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR) {
       bool const checkMore = (dump._lastFoundTick > 0 && dump._lastFoundTick != state.lastDataTick);
@@ -1244,6 +1279,9 @@ void RestReplicationHandler::handleCommandDetermineOpenTransactions () {
       }
 
       _response->setContentType("application/x-arango-dump; charset=utf-8");
+    
+      _response->setHeader(TRI_CHAR_LENGTH_PAIR(TRI_REPLICATION_HEADER_FROMPRESENT), dump._fromTickIncluded ? "true" : "false");
+      _response->setHeader(TRI_CHAR_LENGTH_PAIR(TRI_REPLICATION_HEADER_LASTTICK), StringUtils::itoa(dump._lastFoundTick));
 
       if (length > 0) {
         // transfer ownership of the buffer contents
@@ -2201,7 +2239,8 @@ int RestReplicationHandler::processRestoreIndexesCoordinator (
     return TRI_ERROR_HTTP_BAD_PARAMETER;
   }
 
-  const size_t n = TRI_LengthArrayJson(indexes);
+  size_t const n = TRI_LengthArrayJson(indexes);
+
   if (n == 0) {
     // nothing to do
     return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
@@ -3661,6 +3700,7 @@ void RestReplicationHandler::handleCommandApplierSetConfig () {
   if (TRI_IsArrayJson(value)) {
     config._restrictCollections.clear();
     size_t const n = TRI_LengthArrayJson(value);
+
     for (size_t i = 0; i < n; ++i) {
       TRI_json_t const* collection = TRI_LookupArrayJson(value, i);
       if (TRI_IsStringJson(collection)) {
diff --git a/arangod/V8Server/v8-replication.cpp b/arangod/V8Server/v8-replication.cpp
index 129789a81a..81a91f58b7 100644
--- a/arangod/V8Server/v8-replication.cpp
+++ b/arangod/V8Server/v8-replication.cpp
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ static void JS_LastLoggerReplication (const v8::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>&
   TRI_voc_tick_t tickStart = TRI_ObjectToUInt64(args[0], true);
   TRI_voc_tick_t tickEnd = TRI_ObjectToUInt64(args[1], true);
 
-  int res = TRI_DumpLogReplication(&dump, tickStart, tickEnd, true);
+  int res = TRI_DumpLogReplication(&dump, std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_tid_t>(), 0, tickStart, tickEnd, true);
 
   if (res != TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR) {
     TRI_V8_THROW_EXCEPTION(res);
diff --git a/arangod/VocBase/replication-applier.cpp b/arangod/VocBase/replication-applier.cpp
index 4f43118c77..da4033d8a9 100644
--- a/arangod/VocBase/replication-applier.cpp
+++ b/arangod/VocBase/replication-applier.cpp
@@ -1055,14 +1055,6 @@ TRI_replication_applier_t::~TRI_replication_applier_t () {
   stop(true);
   TRI_DestroyStateReplicationApplier(&_state);
   TRI_DestroyConfigurationReplicationApplier(&_configuration);
-
-  for (auto it = _runningRemoteTransactions.begin(); it != _runningRemoteTransactions.end(); ++it) {
-    auto trx = (*it).second;
-
-    // do NOT write abort markers so we can resume running transactions later
-    trx->addHint(TRI_TRANSACTION_HINT_NO_ABORT_MARKER, true);
-    delete trx;
-  }
 }
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -1233,12 +1225,6 @@ int TRI_replication_applier_t::shutdown () {
 
   setTermination(false);
  
-  {
-    WRITE_LOCKER(_statusLock); 
-    // really abort all ongoing transactions
-    abortRunningRemoteTransactions();
-  }
-
   LOG_INFO("stopped replication applier for database '%s'", _databaseName.c_str());
 
   return res;
diff --git a/arangod/VocBase/replication-applier.h b/arangod/VocBase/replication-applier.h
index b4cfa2e548..c3ebdde345 100644
--- a/arangod/VocBase/replication-applier.h
+++ b/arangod/VocBase/replication-applier.h
@@ -136,10 +136,6 @@ class TRI_replication_applier_t {
       _terminateThread.store(value);
     }
 
-    void addRemoteTransaction (triagens::arango::ReplicationTransaction* trx) {
-      _runningRemoteTransactions.insert(std::make_pair(trx->externalId(), trx));
-    }
-
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief return the database name
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -173,21 +169,6 @@ class TRI_replication_applier_t {
 
     int shutdown ();
 
-    void abortRunningRemoteTransactions () {
-      size_t const n = _runningRemoteTransactions.size();
-      triagens::arango::TransactionBase::increaseNumbers((int) n, (int) n);
-
-      for (auto it = _runningRemoteTransactions.begin(); it != _runningRemoteTransactions.end(); ++it) {
-        auto trx = (*it).second;
-
-        // do NOT write abort markers so we can resume running transactions later
-        trx->removeHint(TRI_TRANSACTION_HINT_NO_ABORT_MARKER, true);
-        delete trx;
-      }
-
-      _runningRemoteTransactions.clear();
-    }
-
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief set the progress with or without a lock
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -228,7 +209,6 @@ class TRI_replication_applier_t {
     TRI_replication_applier_state_t          _state;
     TRI_replication_applier_configuration_t  _configuration;
     TRI_thread_t                             _thread;
-    std::unordered_map<TRI_voc_tid_t, triagens::arango::ReplicationTransaction*> _runningRemoteTransactions;
 };
 
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/arangod/VocBase/replication-common.h b/arangod/VocBase/replication-common.h
index 88b77d3233..aa590e80f5 100644
--- a/arangod/VocBase/replication-common.h
+++ b/arangod/VocBase/replication-common.h
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@
 #define ARANGODB_VOC_BASE_REPLICATION__COMMON_H 1
 
 #include "Basics/Common.h"
-
 #include "VocBase/voc-types.h"
 
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/arangod/VocBase/replication-dump.cpp b/arangod/VocBase/replication-dump.cpp
index 55dd5d8308..d2f9fc474a 100644
--- a/arangod/VocBase/replication-dump.cpp
+++ b/arangod/VocBase/replication-dump.cpp
@@ -1070,6 +1070,42 @@ static TRI_voc_tick_t GetCollectionFromWalMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker)
   }
 }
 
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+/// @brief helper function to extract a transaction id from a marker
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+template<typename T>
+static TRI_voc_tid_t GetTransactionId (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker) {
+  T const* m = reinterpret_cast<T const*>(marker);
+  return m->_transactionId;
+}
+
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+/// @brief get the transaction id from a marker
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+static TRI_voc_tid_t GetTransactionFromWalMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker) {
+  TRI_ASSERT_EXPENSIVE(MustReplicateWalMarkerType(marker));
+
+  switch (marker->_type) {
+    case TRI_WAL_MARKER_DOCUMENT: 
+      return GetTransactionId<triagens::wal::document_marker_t>(marker);
+    case TRI_WAL_MARKER_EDGE: 
+      return GetTransactionId<triagens::wal::edge_marker_t>(marker);
+    case TRI_WAL_MARKER_REMOVE: 
+      return GetTransactionId<triagens::wal::remove_marker_t>(marker);
+    case TRI_WAL_MARKER_BEGIN_TRANSACTION: 
+      return GetTransactionId<triagens::wal::transaction_begin_marker_t>(marker);
+    case TRI_WAL_MARKER_COMMIT_TRANSACTION: 
+      return GetTransactionId<triagens::wal::transaction_commit_marker_t>(marker);
+    case TRI_WAL_MARKER_ABORT_TRANSACTION: 
+      return GetTransactionId<triagens::wal::transaction_abort_marker_t>(marker);
+    default: {
+      return 0;
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief whether or not a marker belongs to a transaction
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -1094,7 +1130,9 @@ static bool IsTransactionWalMarker (TRI_replication_dump_t* dump,
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
      
 static bool MustReplicateWalMarker (TRI_replication_dump_t* dump,
-                                    TRI_df_marker_t const* marker) { 
+                                    TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
+                                    TRI_voc_tick_t firstRegularTick,
+                                    std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_tid_t> const& transactionIds) { 
   // first check the marker type
   if (! MustReplicateWalMarkerType(marker)) {
     return false;
@@ -1115,6 +1153,18 @@ static bool MustReplicateWalMarker (TRI_replication_dump_t* dump,
     }
   }
 
+  if (marker->_tick >= firstRegularTick) {
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  if (! transactionIds.empty()) {
+    TRI_voc_tid_t tid = GetTransactionFromWalMarker(marker);
+    if (tid == 0 ||
+        transactionIds.find(tid) == transactionIds.end()) {
+      return false;
+    }
+  }
+
   return true;
 }
 
@@ -1384,6 +1434,8 @@ int TRI_DumpCollectionReplication (TRI_replication_dump_t* dump,
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 int TRI_DumpLogReplication (TRI_replication_dump_t* dump,
+                            std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_tid_t> const& transactionIds,
+                            TRI_voc_tick_t firstRegularTick,
                             TRI_voc_tick_t tickMin,
                             TRI_voc_tick_t tickMax,
                             bool outputAsArray) {
@@ -1438,14 +1490,14 @@ int TRI_DumpLogReplication (TRI_replication_dump_t* dump,
 
         if (foundTick >= tickMax) {
           hasMore = false;
-        }
         
-        if (foundTick > tickMax) {
-          // marker too new
-          break;
+          if (foundTick > tickMax) {
+            // marker too new
+            break;
+          }
         }
 
-        if (! MustReplicateWalMarker(dump, marker)) {
+        if (! MustReplicateWalMarker(dump, marker, firstRegularTick, transactionIds)) {
           continue;
         }
 
diff --git a/arangod/VocBase/replication-dump.h b/arangod/VocBase/replication-dump.h
index 6e90caddcd..a0f5589fd7 100644
--- a/arangod/VocBase/replication-dump.h
+++ b/arangod/VocBase/replication-dump.h
@@ -128,6 +128,8 @@ int TRI_DumpCollectionReplication (TRI_replication_dump_t*,
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 int TRI_DumpLogReplication (TRI_replication_dump_t*,
+                            std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_tid_t> const&,
+                            TRI_voc_tick_t,
                             TRI_voc_tick_t,
                             TRI_voc_tick_t,
                             bool);
diff --git a/arangod/Wal/CollectorThread.cpp b/arangod/Wal/CollectorThread.cpp
index 034d1dbb4b..0bf8ad60b6 100644
--- a/arangod/Wal/CollectorThread.cpp
+++ b/arangod/Wal/CollectorThread.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ static inline TRI_doc_datafile_info_t& createDfi (CollectorCache* cache,
 
   TRI_doc_datafile_info_t dfi;
   memset(&dfi, 0, sizeof(TRI_doc_datafile_info_t));
-  cache->dfi.emplace(std::make_pair(fid, dfi));
+  cache->dfi.emplace(fid, dfi);
 
   return getDfi(cache, fid);
 }
@@ -1133,7 +1133,7 @@ int CollectorThread::queueOperations (triagens::wal::Logfile* logfile,
         if (it == _operationsQueue.end()) {
           std::vector<CollectorCache*> ops;
           ops.push_back(cache);
-          _operationsQueue.emplace(std::make_pair(cid, ops));
+          _operationsQueue.emplace(cid, ops);
           _logfileManager->increaseCollectQueueSize(logfile);
         }
         else {
diff --git a/arangod/Wal/RecoverState.cpp b/arangod/Wal/RecoverState.cpp
index 8a20b8fcaf..3f3d212703 100644
--- a/arangod/Wal/RecoverState.cpp
+++ b/arangod/Wal/RecoverState.cpp
@@ -179,14 +179,10 @@ RecoverState::RecoverState (TRI_server_t* server,
                             bool ignoreRecoveryErrors)
   : server(server),
     failedTransactions(),
-    remoteTransactions(),
-    remoteTransactionCollections(),
-    remoteTransactionDatabases(),
     lastTick(0),
     logfilesToProcess(),
     openedCollections(),
     openedDatabases(),
-    runningRemoteTransactions(),
     emptyLogfiles(),
     policy(TRI_DOC_UPDATE_ONLY_IF_NEWER, 0, nullptr),
     ignoreRecoveryErrors(ignoreRecoveryErrors),
@@ -199,15 +195,6 @@ RecoverState::RecoverState (TRI_server_t* server,
 
 RecoverState::~RecoverState () {
   releaseResources();
-
-  // free running remote transactions
-  for (auto it = runningRemoteTransactions.begin(); it != runningRemoteTransactions.end(); ++it) {
-    auto trx = (*it).second;
-
-    delete trx;
-  }
-
-  runningRemoteTransactions.clear();
 }
 
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -220,25 +207,6 @@ RecoverState::~RecoverState () {
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
   
 void RecoverState::releaseResources () {
-  // hand over running remote transactions to the applier
-  for (auto it = runningRemoteTransactions.begin(); it != runningRemoteTransactions.end(); ++it) {
-    auto* trx = (*it).second;
-    
-    TRI_vocbase_t* vocbase = trx->vocbase();
-    TRI_ASSERT(vocbase != nullptr);
-
-    auto* applier = vocbase->_replicationApplier;
-    TRI_ASSERT(applier != nullptr);
-    
-    applier->addRemoteTransaction(trx);
-  }
-
-  // reset trx counter as we're moving transactions from this thread to a potential other
-  triagens::arango::TransactionBase::setNumbers(0, 0);
-
-  runningRemoteTransactions.clear();
-
-
   // release all collections
   for (auto it = openedCollections.begin(); it != openedCollections.end(); ++it) {
     TRI_vocbase_col_t* collection = (*it).second;
@@ -411,61 +379,6 @@ TRI_document_collection_t* RecoverState::getCollection (TRI_voc_tick_t databaseI
   return document;
 }
 
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-/// @brief executes an operation in a remote transaction
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-int RecoverState::executeRemoteOperation (TRI_voc_tick_t databaseId,
-                                          TRI_voc_cid_t collectionId,
-                                          TRI_voc_tid_t transactionId,
-                                          TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
-                                          TRI_voc_fid_t fid,
-                                          std::function<int(RemoteTransactionType*, Marker*)> func) {
-
-  auto it = remoteTransactions.find(transactionId);
-  if (it == remoteTransactions.end()) {
-    LOG_WARNING("remote transaction not found: internal error");
-    return TRI_ERROR_INTERNAL;
-  }
-
-  TRI_voc_tid_t externalId = (*it).second.second;
-  auto it2 = runningRemoteTransactions.find(externalId);
-  if (it2 == runningRemoteTransactions.end()) {
-    LOG_WARNING("remote transaction not found: internal error");
-    return TRI_ERROR_INTERNAL;
-  }
-  
-  auto trx = (*it2).second;
-
-  registerRemoteUsage(databaseId, collectionId);
-
-  EnvelopeMarker* envelope = nullptr;
-  int res = TRI_ERROR_INTERNAL;
-
-  try {
-    envelope = new EnvelopeMarker(marker, fid);
-
-    // execute the operation
-    res = func(trx, envelope);
-
-    if (res != TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR) {
-      THROW_ARANGO_EXCEPTION(res);
-    }
-  }
-  catch (triagens::basics::Exception const& ex) {
-    res = ex.code();
-  }
-  catch (...) {
-    res = TRI_ERROR_INTERNAL;
-  }
-    
-  if (envelope != nullptr) {
-    delete envelope;
-  }
-
-  return res;
-}
-
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief executes a single operation inside a transaction
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -600,6 +513,7 @@ bool RecoverState::InitialScanMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
       transaction_abort_marker_t const* m = reinterpret_cast<transaction_abort_marker_t const*>(marker);
 
       auto it = state->failedTransactions.find(m->_transactionId);
+
       if (it != state->failedTransactions.end()) {
         // delete previous element if present
         state->failedTransactions.erase(m->_transactionId);
@@ -612,15 +526,15 @@ bool RecoverState::InitialScanMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
 
     case TRI_WAL_MARKER_BEGIN_REMOTE_TRANSACTION: {
       transaction_remote_begin_marker_t const* m = reinterpret_cast<transaction_remote_begin_marker_t const*>(marker);
-      // insert this transaction into the list of remote transactions
-      state->remoteTransactions.emplace(std::make_pair(m->_transactionId, std::make_pair(m->_databaseId, m->_externalId)));
+      // insert this transaction into the list of failed transactions
+      state->failedTransactions.emplace(std::make_pair(m->_transactionId, std::make_pair(m->_databaseId, false)));
       break;
     }
 
     case TRI_WAL_MARKER_COMMIT_REMOTE_TRANSACTION: {
       transaction_remote_commit_marker_t const* m = reinterpret_cast<transaction_remote_commit_marker_t const*>(marker);
-      // remove this transaction from the list of remote transactions
-      state->remoteTransactions.erase(m->_transactionId);
+      // remove this transaction from the list of failed transactions
+      state->failedTransactions.erase(m->_transactionId);
       break;
     }
 
@@ -629,13 +543,13 @@ bool RecoverState::InitialScanMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
       // insert this transaction into the list of failed transactions
       // the transaction is treated the same as a regular local transaction that is aborted
       auto it = state->failedTransactions.find(m->_transactionId);
-      if (it == state->failedTransactions.end()) {
-        // insert the transaction into the list of failed transactions
-        state->failedTransactions.emplace(std::make_pair(m->_transactionId, std::make_pair(m->_databaseId, false)));
+
+      if (it != state->failedTransactions.end()) {
+        state->failedTransactions.erase(m->_transactionId);
       }
       
-      // remove this transaction from the list of remote transactions
-      state->remoteTransactions.erase(m->_transactionId);
+      // and (re-)insert
+      state->failedTransactions.emplace(std::make_pair(m->_transactionId, std::make_pair(m->_databaseId, true)));
       break;
     }
 /*
@@ -795,48 +709,21 @@ bool RecoverState::ReplayMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
       TRI_shaped_json_t shaped;
       TRI_EXTRACT_SHAPED_JSON_MARKER(shaped, m);
 
-      int res = TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
+      int res = state->executeSingleOperation(databaseId, collectionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](SingleWriteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int { 
+        if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection())) {
+          return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
+        } 
 
-      if (state->isRemoteTransaction(transactionId)) {
-        // remote operation
-        res = state->executeRemoteOperation(databaseId, collectionId, transactionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](RemoteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int { 
-          if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection(collectionId))) {
-            return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-          } 
+        TRI_doc_mptr_copy_t mptr;
+        int res = TRI_InsertShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, nullptr, false, false, true);
 
-          TRI_doc_mptr_copy_t mptr;
-          int res = TRI_InsertShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(collectionId), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, nullptr, false, false, true);
+        if (res == TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_UNIQUE_CONSTRAINT_VIOLATED) {
+          state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
+          res = TRI_UpdateShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &state->policy, false, false);
+        }
 
-          if (res == TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_UNIQUE_CONSTRAINT_VIOLATED) {
-            state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
-            res = TRI_UpdateShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(collectionId), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &state->policy, false, false);
-          }
-
-          return res;
-        });
-      }
-      else if (! state->isUsedByRemoteTransaction(collectionId)) {
-        // local operation
-        res = state->executeSingleOperation(databaseId, collectionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](SingleWriteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int { 
-          if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection())) {
-            return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-          } 
-
-          TRI_doc_mptr_copy_t mptr;
-          int res = TRI_InsertShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, nullptr, false, false, true);
-
-          if (res == TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_UNIQUE_CONSTRAINT_VIOLATED) {
-            state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
-            res = TRI_UpdateShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &state->policy, false, false);
-          }
-
-          return res;
-        });
-      }
-      else {
-        // ERROR - found a local action for a collection that has an ongoing remote transaction
-        res = TRI_ERROR_TRANSACTION_INTERNAL;
-      }
+        return res;
+      });
       
       if (res != TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR && 
           res != TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_CONFLICT &&
@@ -879,48 +766,21 @@ bool RecoverState::ReplayMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
       TRI_shaped_json_t shaped;
       TRI_EXTRACT_SHAPED_JSON_MARKER(shaped, m);
 
-      int res = TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-      
-      if (state->isRemoteTransaction(transactionId)) {
-        // remote operation
-        res = state->executeRemoteOperation(databaseId, collectionId, transactionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](RemoteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int {
-          if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection(collectionId))) {
-            return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-          } 
-
-          TRI_doc_mptr_copy_t mptr;
-          int res = TRI_InsertShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(collectionId), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &edge, false, false, true);
-
-          if (res == TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_UNIQUE_CONSTRAINT_VIOLATED) {
-            state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
-            res = TRI_UpdateShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(collectionId), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &state->policy, false, false);
-          }
-
-          return res;
-        });
-      }
-      else if (! state->isUsedByRemoteTransaction(collectionId)) {
-        // local operation
-        res = state->executeSingleOperation(databaseId, collectionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](SingleWriteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int {
-          if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection())) {
-            return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-          } 
+      int res = state->executeSingleOperation(databaseId, collectionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](SingleWriteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int {
+        if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection())) {
+          return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
+        } 
  
-          TRI_doc_mptr_copy_t mptr;
-          int res = TRI_InsertShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &edge, false, false, true);
+        TRI_doc_mptr_copy_t mptr;
+        int res = TRI_InsertShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &edge, false, false, true);
 
-          if (res == TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_UNIQUE_CONSTRAINT_VIOLATED) {
-            state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
-            res = TRI_UpdateShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &state->policy, false, false);
-          }
+        if (res == TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_UNIQUE_CONSTRAINT_VIOLATED) {
+          state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
+          res = TRI_UpdateShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &mptr, &shaped, &state->policy, false, false);
+        }
 
-          return res;
-        });
-      }
-      else {
-        // ERROR - found a local action for a collection that has an ongoing remote transaction
-        res = TRI_ERROR_TRANSACTION_INTERNAL;
-      }
+        return res;
+      });
 
       if (res != TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR && 
           res != TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_CONFLICT &&
@@ -955,40 +815,17 @@ bool RecoverState::ReplayMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
      
       char const* base = reinterpret_cast<char const*>(m); 
       char const* key = base + sizeof(remove_marker_t);
-      int res = TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-       
-      if (state->isRemoteTransaction(transactionId)) {
-        // remote operation
-        res = state->executeRemoteOperation(databaseId, collectionId, transactionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](RemoteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int { 
-          if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection(collectionId))) {
-            return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-          } 
-
-          // remove the document and ignore any potential errors
-          state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
-          TRI_RemoveShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(collectionId), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &state->policy, false, false);
-
+      int res = state->executeSingleOperation(databaseId, collectionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](SingleWriteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int { 
+        if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection())) {
           return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-        });
-      }
-      else if (! state->isUsedByRemoteTransaction(collectionId)) {
-        // local operation
-        res = state->executeSingleOperation(databaseId, collectionId, marker, datafile->_fid, [&](SingleWriteTransactionType* trx, Marker* envelope) -> int { 
-          if (IsVolatile(trx->trxCollection())) {
-            return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-          } 
+        } 
 
-          // remove the document and ignore any potential errors
-          state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
-          TRI_RemoveShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &state->policy, false, false);
+        // remove the document and ignore any potential errors
+        state->policy.setExpectedRevision(m->_revisionId);
+        TRI_RemoveShapedJsonDocumentCollection(trx->trxCollection(), (TRI_voc_key_t) key, m->_revisionId, envelope, &state->policy, false, false);
 
-          return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
-        });
-      }
-      else {
-        // ERROR - found a local action for a collection that has an ongoing remote transaction
-        res = TRI_ERROR_TRANSACTION_INTERNAL;
-      }
+        return TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR;
+      });
 
       if (res != TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR && 
           res != TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_CONFLICT &&
@@ -1009,47 +846,6 @@ bool RecoverState::ReplayMarker (TRI_df_marker_t const* marker,
     // transactions
     // -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
-    case TRI_WAL_MARKER_BEGIN_REMOTE_TRANSACTION: {
-      transaction_remote_begin_marker_t const* m = reinterpret_cast<transaction_remote_begin_marker_t const*>(marker);
-      TRI_voc_tick_t databaseId  = m->_databaseId;
-      TRI_voc_tid_t externalId   = m->_externalId;
-      // start a remote transaction
-      
-      if (state->isDropped(databaseId)) {
-        return true;
-      }
-      
-      TRI_vocbase_t* vocbase = state->useDatabase(databaseId);
-      if (vocbase == nullptr) {
-        LOG_WARNING("cannot start remote transaction in database %llu: %s", 
-                    (unsigned long long) databaseId,
-                    TRI_errno_string(TRI_ERROR_ARANGO_DATABASE_NOT_FOUND));
-      }
-
-      auto trx = new RemoteTransactionType(state->server, vocbase, externalId);
-
-      if (trx == nullptr) {
-        LOG_WARNING("unable to start transaction: %s", TRI_errno_string(TRI_ERROR_OUT_OF_MEMORY));
-        ++state->errorCount;
-        return state->canContinue();
-      }
-
-      trx->addHint(TRI_TRANSACTION_HINT_NO_BEGIN_MARKER, true);
-
-      int res = trx->begin();
-
-      if (res != TRI_ERROR_NO_ERROR) {
-        LOG_WARNING("unable to start transaction: %s", TRI_errno_string(TRI_ERROR_OUT_OF_MEMORY));
-        delete trx;
-        ++state->errorCount;
-        return state->canContinue();
-      }
-
-      state->runningRemoteTransactions.emplace(std::make_pair(m->_externalId, trx));
-      break;
-    }
-    
-    
     case TRI_WAL_MARKER_RENAME_COLLECTION: {
       collection_rename_marker_t const* m = reinterpret_cast<collection_rename_marker_t const*>(marker);
       TRI_voc_cid_t collectionId = m->_collectionId;
diff --git a/arangod/Wal/RecoverState.h b/arangod/Wal/RecoverState.h
index b02f643002..6fb81e54b4 100644
--- a/arangod/Wal/RecoverState.h
+++ b/arangod/Wal/RecoverState.h
@@ -41,19 +41,12 @@
 #include "Wal/Marker.h"
 #include <functional>
 
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-/// @brief shortcut for multi-operation remote transaction
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-#define RemoteTransactionType triagens::arango::ReplicationTransaction
-
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief shortcut for single-operation write transaction
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 #define SingleWriteTransactionType triagens::arango::SingleCollectionWriteTransaction<1>
 
-
 namespace triagens {
   namespace wal {
 
@@ -134,14 +127,6 @@ namespace triagens {
         return ignoreRecoveryErrors;
       }
 
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-/// @brief whether or not there are remote transactions
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      
-      inline bool hasRunningRemoteTransactions () const {
-        return ! runningRemoteTransactions.empty();
-      }
-
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief whether or not the recovery procedure must be run
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -158,32 +143,6 @@ namespace triagens {
         return (transactionId > 0 && failedTransactions.find(transactionId) != failedTransactions.end());
       }
 
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-/// @brief whether or not a transaction was started remotely
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-      inline bool isRemoteTransaction (TRI_voc_tid_t transactionId) const {
-        return (transactionId > 0 && remoteTransactions.find(transactionId) != remoteTransactions.end());
-      }
-
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-/// @brief register a collection for a remote transaction
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-      inline void registerRemoteUsage (TRI_voc_tick_t databaseId,
-                                       TRI_voc_cid_t collectionId) {
-        remoteTransactionDatabases.insert(databaseId);
-        remoteTransactionCollections.insert(collectionId);
-      }
-
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-/// @brief whether or not a transaction was started remotely
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-      inline bool isUsedByRemoteTransaction (TRI_voc_tid_t collectionId) const {
-        return (remoteTransactionCollections.find(collectionId) != remoteTransactionCollections.end());
-      }
-
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief release opened collections and databases so they can be shut down
 /// etc.
@@ -227,17 +186,6 @@ namespace triagens {
       TRI_document_collection_t* getCollection (TRI_voc_tick_t,
                                                 TRI_voc_cid_t);
 
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-/// @brief executes an operation in a remote transaction
-////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-      int executeRemoteOperation (TRI_voc_tick_t,
-                                  TRI_voc_cid_t,
-                                  TRI_voc_tid_t,
-                                  TRI_df_marker_t const*,
-                                  TRI_voc_fid_t,
-                                  std::function<int(RemoteTransactionType*, Marker*)>);
-
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 /// @brief executes a single operation inside a transaction
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -302,9 +250,6 @@ namespace triagens {
 
       TRI_server_t*                                                               server;
       std::unordered_map<TRI_voc_tid_t, std::pair<TRI_voc_tick_t, bool>>          failedTransactions;
-      std::unordered_map<TRI_voc_tid_t, std::pair<TRI_voc_tick_t, TRI_voc_tid_t>> remoteTransactions;
-      std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_cid_t>                                           remoteTransactionCollections;
-      std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_tick_t>                                          remoteTransactionDatabases;
       std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_cid_t>                                           droppedCollections;
       std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_tick_t>                                          droppedDatabases;
       std::unordered_set<TRI_voc_cid_t>                                           droppedIds;
@@ -313,7 +258,6 @@ namespace triagens {
       std::vector<Logfile*>                                                       logfilesToProcess;
       std::unordered_map<TRI_voc_cid_t, TRI_vocbase_col_t*>                       openedCollections;
       std::unordered_map<TRI_voc_tick_t, TRI_vocbase_t*>                          openedDatabases;
-      std::unordered_map<TRI_voc_tid_t, RemoteTransactionType*>                   runningRemoteTransactions;
       std::vector<std::string>                                                    emptyLogfiles;
 
       TRI_doc_update_policy_t                                                     policy;