Alstom delivers Turkey’s first locomotive equipped with ETCS Level 1 & 2

Credit: Aykut Kadir KOZANDAĞI / Alstom.

Alstom has announced that it has handed over the first locomotive, out of 26, equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 and 2 as part of the company’s contract with Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Devlet Demiryolları (TCDD) to supply signalling and telecommunications systems on the line connecting Eskişehir, about 260km East of Ankara, to Balıkesir, near the Aegean coast. This 328-km long rail link also serves the city of Kütahya.

The new signalling system will enable TCDD to manage its rail services on the Eskişehir to Balıkesir corridor efficiently and seamlessly. Additionally, it will make it possible to increase the line’s capacity.

The Eskişehir-Kütahya-Alayunt-Balıkesir (EKB) project includes a trackside and on-board modernisation project for the EKB line covering the design, manufacturing and supply of the complete trackside via Atlas – Alstom’s signalling system based on Level 1 and 2 of the state-of-the-art ERTMS/ETCS, Smartlock interlocking solution and Iconis, an integrated control centre. Furthermore, Alstom is supplying level crossing systems and technical equipment buildings, as well as power distribution and uninterrupted power supply systems. A GSM-R system is also provided for the project on the Alayunt to Afyon line section.

“As a long-term partner, we are dedicated to continue supporting TCDD in their mission to enhance their railway technology and improve the line’s safety and capacity,” said Mama Sougoufara, Alstom’s MENAT and Turkey Managing Director. “With the new ETCS on-board, the locomotives will provide an advanced level of security beyond the capabilities of the legacy Automatic Train Protection systems (ATP). It will also reduce the total operating cost of EKB line, and it will standardise the line-length and on-board equipment while providing common communication between countries. Indeed, we are very proud of what we have achieved together with TCDD.”

Alstom has been present in Turkey for more than 60 years, delivering rail vehicles and turnkey transit systems for metros and trams, and is established as a leading provider of signalling and train control technology. The Istanbul office hosts the regional centre for Alstom’s Digital and Integrated Systems expertise, as well as the Systems and Infrastructure project teams, providing project management, engineering, training and maintenance services.