TURKEY: State-owned locomotive and rolling stock manufacturer Türasaş unveiled its prototype Type E5000 electric locomotive in Eskişehir on April 19.
Designed by Tübitak, the four-axle electric locomotive has a continuous rating of 5MW and is able to operate at speeds up to 140 km/h. Following the launch ceremony, the prototype is expected to undergo a comprehensive programme of testing and certification.
Speaking at the launch ceremony President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey would need 500 locomotives over the next 10 years, and these would be manufactured at the Türasaş plant.
The President announced that work would start shortly on the construction of a railway to the port of Gemlik, north of Bursa, adding that this would facilitate the shipping of railway vehicles manufactured in Eskişehir.
Türasaş was created through the merger of three state-owned companies, passenger coach manufacturer Tüvasaş, locomotive manufacturer Tülomsaş and wagon builder Tüdemsaş.
