Turkey Unveils National Electric Locomotives and Train Sets as Milestone in Railway Industry

ESKİŞEHİR, Turkey —  Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu underscored the strategic significance of the five E5000 national electric locomotives and newly developed electric train sets produced by TÜRASAŞ, stating:
“The vehicles delivered today are masterpieces that reflect the remarkable progress of our national railway industry.”

Traveling from Ankara to Eskişehir via high-speed train, Minister Uraloğlu attended a formal handover ceremony at the Hasanbey Logistics Center. The event celebrated the delivery of five E5000 electric locomotives, two national electric train sets, one firefighting and rescue wagon, 55 covered freight wagons, and two battery-powered shunting vehicles to TCDD Taşımacılık.

Minister Uraloğlu noted that since 2002, Turkey has built a high-tech, self-reliant railway ecosystem:
“In 2002, our railway network stood at around 11,000 km. Today, it has grown to 13,919 km, including 2,251 km of high-speed rail. We are now the sixth-largest high-speed train operator in Europe and eighth worldwide.”

🇹🇷 Expansion and Localization Strategy

Turkey aims to extend its rail network to 17,500 km by 2028 and produce all rolling stock and components domestically. Major ongoing high-speed rail projects include:

• Halkalı–Kapıkule

• Ankara–Izmir

• Bandırma–Bursa–Yenişehir–Osmaneli

• Mersin–Adana–Osmaniye–Gaziantep

• Yerköy–Kayseri

The E5000, developed in Eskişehir, marks a first for Turkey with 100% locally designed traction converters, control systems, and transformers. With 5 MW power and a top speed of 140 km/h, the E5000 is TSI-certified and fit for both freight and passenger use. Each traction motor delivers 1,280 kW, and the locomotive’s dual 2.5 MW converters are the most powerful ever developed in the country.

Future Targets: 95 Locomotives and 56 Train Sets by 2030

“With today’s delivery of five units, we are beginning a new era. By 2027, we will have delivered all 95 E5000 locomotives for TCDD Taşımacılık,” said Uraloğlu.

Regarding electric trains, he added:
“Our first locally built train sets with 160 km/h top speed were launched in 2023. Three of them currently operate between Adapazarı and Gebze. With the addition of two more today, the fleet has grown to five. We plan to produce 22 sets by the end of 2026, reaching 56 by 2030 to meet increasing public demand.”

The ceremony concluded with the symbolic presentation of the TSI certificate and keys to the Minister, who inspected the first locomotive and issued its initial movement order.

Notable attendees included Eskişehir Governor Hüseyin Aksoy, TÜRASAŞ General Manager Selim Koçbay, AK Party MP Fatih Dönmez, and other officials.