Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway
The high-speed line Ankara - İstanbul is a new line of TCDD, which is being built in several phases between the capital of Turkey and its largest city.
History
Planning
In mid-2001, the Turkish government approved plans for a high speed line between Istanbul and Ankara. The course should be designed for a maximum speed of 230 km / h and completed by 2006. Intended were converted investments of 21.5 billion euros.
Construction
The new line is being built by TCDD. It is 533 km long, double track, designed for 250 km / h and electrified with 25 kV 50 Hz AC. 55 bridges and 43 tunnels are to be constructed up to the completion of the line. The project is divided into different sections with different planning and construction progress:
The construction of the section opened in 2009, began on 10 December 2003. Originally it was planned as a rail line, but was then performed independently of the existing infrastructure as a new line. This 206 km long stretch of Esenkent to Eskisehir shortened the travel time between Ankara and İstanbul by one hour. From Ankara to Esenkent use the trains at the time the existing route. In Eskişehir travelers have to change after İstanbul. Presently offers four connections per day.
Completion scheduled in February 2014
Completion scheduled in February 2014
Completion scheduled in February 2014
Completion scheduled in February 2014
The end of 2010 the section of line between Istanbul and Eskisehir was completed about half.
On 27 December 2013, the tests began on the Eskisehir - Istanbul section.
Since the existing route of the Anatolian Railway passes through the city of Eskişehir, and there are serious problems with the existing there railroad crossings, the construction of more than two kilometers long tunnel is for the center of the city provided with five tracks: two each for the high speed rail and the conventional passenger as well as a track for freight.
Operation
On the Anatolian Railway trains on the route Ankara - İstanbul need nearly seven hours, during a trip by car in five to six hours and by plane in 55 minutes to create. Therefore, the market share of rail in this relation was less than ten percent.
Since 13 March 2009, a first section, between Ankara and Eskişehir is in operation. So the route is considered the first high-speed line in Turkey. In the period from 13 March 2009 to March 11, 2010, 1,250,000 passengers TCDD transported here in 4500 rides.
View
The new route should be completed in February 2014. The travel time between Ankara and İstanbul will then drop to three hours. An extension of the route from Ankara to Sivas (460 km) is under construction.
Rolling stock
TCDD has been purchased for the high-speed trainsets been twelve of CAF in Spain. The trains were transferred by rail from Spain to Turkey. They carry the designation HT65000, each unit has a "business class" with 55 seats where the seat assembly 2 1 and 354 seats in the "First Class" in the seat assembly 2 2. This is the TCDD imported a few years ago one-class operation (" Pullman " ) in the passenger at least partially back on. The buffet area of the trainsets has eight seats, the doors are always placed in the center of the car. The multiple units can also be used in double traction.
In June 2013 it was announced that Siemens will supply seven high-speed train Velaro in Turkey. The contract has a value of 285 million Euros and also includes maintenance for seven years.
As a train control system ETCS Level 1 is employed.